Cafe Walter vs Earwig vs Others

Mingus Addict · #1 05-20-2010, 01:42 PM

My main question is, is the Cafe Walter worth the extra $$ over the Earwig? There are also some other options like Rolls stuff (PM351) which might be even cheaper, and maybe just as good?

Edit: I should mention I did do a search, and the consensus seems to be that the CW has better fidelity, but I'm wondering if it's that much better. It would be nice to be able to use the headphone amp to practice, but also for wired in-ear monitors on stage (by feeding the aux w/ an aux

). The CW seems like it might be a bit large for that purpose.

Mingus Addict · #2 05-21-2010, 02:50 AM

Mingus Addict · #3 05-21-2010, 01:00 PM

Wow, made it to page 2 twice with no response. I know some people have experience with these headphone amps.

basswave · #4 05-21-2010, 01:02 PM

Man...Im sure you search you searched on the Cafe Walter.

If you do you will probaly see me praising it.

I use mine everyday.

markjazzbassist · #5 05-22-2010, 09:21 AM

i have a cafe walter and i really like what it does, but it's far from perfect.

- it's noisy, yeah they claim low noise floor, but the minute you put some bass into the mix, there's audible background noise.
- the bass volume pot is too sensitive and the gain to much. meaning i have it set at a touch above no sound (minimum), and that's perfect, anything over that is earbleed hearing loss. don't know why this is.

i wish their was a cheaper smaller alternative, i'd be all over it. the box really isn't all that amazing to be honest, reading this makes me want to find something else.

dannybuoy · #6 05-22-2010, 01:54 PM

There's also the [sfx] H1. Like the Cafe Walter, it's not cheap (especially if you're in the US), but it looks great and Max's build quality is top notch:

http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=h1

I have a Radial JDI running into a Behringer MA400 Micromon, which is like a smaller cheaper version of the Rolls PM351. The Behringer is dirt cheap and does the job well, so if you already have a DI to feed into it, it's worth a look.

I also have a Vox Amplug which sounds pretty good, but is noisy and has a very coloured amp like sound that you'll either love or hate.

heb9_28 · #7 05-22-2010, 06:11 PM

Quick question, probably stupid. But it's my understanding that you can run your signal from the DI, into the "mic input" and then back out the "mic thru" to the board or whatever. Is that correct?

dannybuoy · #8 05-22-2010, 06:24 PM

basswave · #9 05-22-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

- it's noisy, yeah they claim low noise floor, but the minute you put some bass into the mix, there's audible background noise.
- the bass volume pot is too sensitive and the gain to much. meaning i have it set at a touch above no sound (minimum), and that's perfect, anything over that is earbleed hearing loss. don't know why this is.

Interesting...
I never hear any noise with mine...

Granted its not the tone you would want to record with however that is not what it is meant for. I use mine with full Sony 7506 headphones and I will plug in an MP3 or CD player and learn whatever material I have to.

I think its great, plus its built like a tank.

Mingus Addict · #10 05-23-2010, 09:58 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys. I've got my eye on the SFX H1 now (possibly with some customization). I was planning to grab one of his Micro Eqs too, so we'll see. I need some more cash flow/a better exchange rate.

Munjibunga · #11 05-23-2010, 10:43 PM

Not cheap, but the Raven Labs PHA-1 has got to be one of the best available, when they're available (used only).