[Beagle]

As requested, similar to headphone thread, pick your favourite amp (or as in my case, amps you own) and list what you like and dislike...

GRADO RA-1

Pros:

-very flat, neutral tonal response, non hi-fi
-very clean sounding, total lack of noise
-small, easy to find spot to put it
-nice wooden housing

Cons:

-replacing the batteries once a month is a bit of a nuisance but worth it

X-CANS V1

Pros:

-very open and clear midrange
-smooth headphone jack
-can be plugged in

Cons:

-rolled off/coloured highs
-lack of low bass
-midbass a bit wooley
-constant fiddling with tubes to try and find a better sound
-must be left on to avoid long warm-up periods, shortening tube life

 

[coolvij]

Penguin:

Pros:

- Drives low-impedance phones like nothing else
- Outperforms more expensive TA, or so i've heard
- TINY!

Cons:

- Can't drive higher impedance phones that well......

 

[Voyager]

Rega Ear

Pros

- Relativly inexpensive
- Line out put to allow use in middle of signal path
- Good frequency extention
- Intenal electronics well laid out and neat
- Good for High and Low impeadence headphones
- Solid State type sound

Cons

- Case feels like cheap plastic
- Output unaffected by volume knob, cannot be used as a Preamp
- Bass can be a little rolled off
- Treble can be on the bright side of neutral
- Solid State type sound

 

[dhwilkin]

Headroom Max (old version)

Pros

- Not too expensive (got it on clearance sell)

- Transparent
- Good dynamics
- Crossfeed
- Frequency extension
- Neutral

Cons
- It's not the new version
- A tad bit dark
- Did I mention it's not the new version?

 

[blr]

X-Can V2

Pros:

Nice, smooth and liquid midrange with a lot of presence and ambience
First rate instrument separation
Airy treble
Musical bass
Overall, nice integration of different frequencies
Good made for the price
Possibility to tweak the sound via tube rolling

Cons:
Cheap volume pot
Not the best sounding stock tubes (but one wouldn't expect diamond base NOS Telefunkens at that price)
No on-off switch on the unit
RCA inputs at the back a tad close may be impossible to plug huge audiophile connectors.
Needs a good partnering equipment and cables to really shine-dunno if this is a pros or cons
Supplied wall wart running too hot