Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Bada PH-1 Amplifier (Tube) by tinhead

Model:	PH-1
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$91
Description:	Headphone Amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Bada
Model Picture:	View

Review by tinhead ( A ) on August 28, 2005 at 12:51:46
IP Address: 68.45.138.28

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for the PH-1

What a poor sage this was. I did what I thought was a fair review of this product on the internet. I found a few comments on head-fi saying this was a good match for the Grado's etc...and for less than $100 ... if it seems too good to be trues, guess what. IT IS!

I ordered the amp and it came within a week so shipping was first rate ... but I paid for the shipping so...

The amp came packaged wrapped in styrophone[sic] and was very sturdy, heavy.

I plugged it in but realized it was using Chinese mains connectors and my fault because I needed a stepup transformer. I went and got the transformer but no sound thru the designated input RCA's but signal did come thru the output RCA's. But the volume knob made no change is signal. Now before I put the transformer on, signal came in at a listenable level but with the transformer, and when the tube warmed for a few seconds signal level dropped to a whisper.

Well. I called ORNEC, the distributor, and the guy on the phone says, literally, "This amp is crap. Smash it on the floor and look at the insides and you will see. We will give you a discount on another, much better amp..." WHAT!

They returned my $91 dollars only after me paying for shipping back to England and after me hounding them ... did you amp show up yet, you got nthe amp? OK, when are you sending me my $91 ... this took over two weeks. I'm sure they were hoping for an erosionary effect to keep my $91 but as the veriest small credit to them they gave it back. pshew!

Please, stay away from ORNEC or any Bada product.

Product Weakness: didn't work
Product Strengths: low price

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	CJ SA250 Sonographe
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	CJ PV12BL 2x12AU7 RCA cleartops
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	NAD C541i CD/HDCD; NAD 533; Rega RB250; Denon DL-110; Cambridge Audio 540
Speakers:	Grado SR60 & Sennheiser HD540
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber hero and monster
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	jazz, rock, blues, classical, all...
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	n/a
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	didn't work
Product Strengths:	low price