Topic: cool portable heaphone amp

[stvgray]

I was trolling the web recently, hoping to find a high-quality headphone amp that would be smaller and cheaper than the Headroom jobs.

I may have hit the jackpot.

What I found is a small unit made by a Canadian engineering student -- hand-wired and powered by two AAs. They put out a whopping 400 mA, and they use what look like very good parts.

He sells 'em on eBay, where they go for $75 to $110. I emailed him, though, and found out that he also sells them direct for $60 plus $4 for US shipping. I ordered one immediately.

The biggest weakness appears to be the plastic case. He says only one has been broken among the 125 he's sold. And he fixed it free.

Here's one on eBay, where he provides photos and an extensive description of the unit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3069617609

There's a little more about them on pages 4 and 6 of his web site:

http://www.geocities.com/ilm86c/audio.html

And you can email him at swing_version@hotmail.com

After I get mine, I'll post a report on the sound.

[stvgray]

Didn't know where to post it, but see my message with the same subject on the Pre's, D/A's and Processors board.

[Jason B]

Interesting. Please let us know how it sounds.

-JB

[d swing]

i'd love to hear how this sounds too...been looking to pick one up but most seem a little overpriced.

[stvgray]

If you're interested in trying something for a lot less money:

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=19;action=display;threadid=11759

[nickgregory]

some DIY type headphone amps on ebay...looks interesting to say the least

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3071056160&category=40138

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3071187690&category=40138

[George]

I have a headphone amp built into a altoids tin can, sounds pretty good and only paid $65 of so for it.  You guys might wanna check out the amps section over at head-fi.org, there's several people who build and sell DIY amps.