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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: marc0789 on December 22, 2007, 10:06:47 AM

Title: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: marc0789 on December 22, 2007, 10:06:47 AM

I've gotta get one, cannot take crappy headphone output sound any more. :-X ;D

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated....usb or firewire not necessary. would like to have spdif and xlr digital inputs. Thanks all.

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: Jammin72 on December 22, 2007, 11:33:18 AM

For which Cans?  Tube Lover or No?

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: Jammin72 on December 22, 2007, 12:14:47 PM

Actually my recommendation will probably stay similar.

Look at Dr. Meier's Opera or Cantate...


http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/amplifiers.htm (http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/amplifiers.htm)

Very clean sound, deep controlled bass, great soundstage.  They also utilize a nice crossfeed circuit which can be very beneficial for more natural representation of Audience recordings.

(http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/bilder/cantate240.jpg)

(http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/bilder/operaphonebw240.jpg)

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: tilomagnet on December 23, 2007, 09:54:27 AM

^^^

I second the Meier-Audio recomendation. I have the Corda Arietta, which is actually his cheapest headphone amp at $ 200 and I was blown away by how good this sounded. I use it with AKG K 701 and Senn HD 495. Build quality of Meier's products is very good, too.

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: Eigenklang on December 23, 2007, 10:38:32 AM

If you can, try out the Creek Audio headphone amps:

OBH 21 or OBH 22.

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: j5brock on December 23, 2007, 05:28:53 PM

Woo audio woo6.. Love mine - I have an m902 - that I prefer my Senn HD650s through - but I almost never put them on. I almost always use my W5000s with the Woo6.. love the tubes - especially an old metal base mullard - well under $1000.

Jeff

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: J.T.L on December 23, 2007, 09:12:47 PM

I'm dying to try a gilmore lite but there is a few week wait time.

http://www.headamp.com/home_amps/index.htm

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: marc0789 on December 24, 2007, 01:37:32 PM

Quote from: Jammin72 on December 22, 2007, 11:33:18 AM

For which Cans?  Tube Lover or No?

thanks guys...Senn 555's...change anything?  ;D

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: George on December 24, 2007, 06:48:19 PM

I would recommend headroom gear or possibly buying used, try audiogon.  Tubes sound delicious with sennheiser's...

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: Jammin72 on December 25, 2007, 06:17:26 PM

Looking at the gear you've chosen I'd stick with the Solid State rig.  B&K +Oade = Detail and Accuracy with a dose of warmth.  The HD555's are fairly warm cans, the solid state rig will give you the accuracy and detail that you're used to with the B&Ks.  Should be fairly synergistic.

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: Frank in JC on December 26, 2007, 12:23:58 PM

Look into the Ray Samuels/Emmeline headphone amps.  I'm use the Tomahawk portable amp and it's amazing, especially considering how simple it is.  It made my 2nd-generation Headroom Airhead sound like a piece of junk (I have to assume the new ones are better).

From what I understand, Ray is primarily a Sennheiser listener, so his products are likely to be "voiced" accordingly.  No crossfeed, however, and no digital anything.

(Super nice guy, too.)


http://www.raysamuelsaudio.com/

Title: Re: headphone amp recommendations, sub 1k?
Post by: RebelRebel on January 07, 2008, 11:37:21 PM

the mytek stereo 96...a great headphone amp with a free HQ DAC included.  ;)