Headphone Amplification

I am trying to decide between the Headroom BUDA+DPS and GS-X to use as a "backup" balanced solid state amp to use with HD800 and ECD-1 for those times that I don't want to fire up the tube amp (Woo Audio WA5 LE). There are advantages to both of them. For instance, BUDA+DPS is maybe slightly smaller, bit cheaper (can't members of the other site get some sort of 10% discount?), will convert SE to balanced from an unbalanced source like my SA8001 that I use to listen to the few SACDs that I own, has a shorter waiting period. However, the GS-X is fully discrete while the the BUDA is chip based, the GS-X has stepped attenuators, and Justin's work is absolutely amazing. Als…

So I have this nice new LG OLED TV but my receiver can't pass 4K video through it since it is too old. So I need something that will be HDCP 2.2 compatible I believe. I have a Marantz SR6005. I've been really happy with the Marantz receivers so far and would like to stay with them unless there is something significantly better that won't break the bank. Trying to decide between SR5011, SR6011, and SR7011. Any thoughts? This will be for a 3 (maybe 3.1 at some point) setup. Setup: PS4 Pro/Apple TV/Oppo BDP-105D -> receiver (would use DAC in receiver for everything buy music and would use the Oppo for that) -> TV and Monitor Audio silver ser…

Am I late to the party? https://www.massdrop.com/buy/headamp-gilmore-lite-mk2-headphone-amp It's pretty cute, I regret not grabbing a mk1 unit over all these years. I like the knob!

I've got an old Headamp Gilmore Reference (single-ended) on the way. I believe this unit was later modified to a gain of 1, which should be a good preamp gain. But, it doesn't have pre outs, just a 2nd headphone out. In these older Headamps, is there any circuitry difference between the pre out and headphone out, or does it merely boil down to the physical differences in connectors? Any other reason why I shouldn't try this as a preamp with a Y cable/adaptor? The V2 I recently picked up is a real performance killer, as both preamp and headphone amp, for the $200 I paid. Super-nice match to the L3000 w/ Duet, and to the HD650 or L3000 with vinyl

It's been a while since Justin mentioned the new modules... I know he has been having trouble sourcing some of the parts. Has anybody heard the new modules yet? Also, are they being used in the GS-X as well?

I'm seriously considering purchasing one of these, and as of right now, is the only amp on my list. I've gone through and done "research" on many other amps close to this price, and the GS-1 seems to be extremely flexible with the headphones used (ie wide variety) and seems to be a top-notch amp. The GS-X, despite how badly I want it, can't afford it. Maybe I missed one, that you guys can recommend. And what's your opinion on this amp, for those who have listened or owned it. Any other recommendations on amps at/very close to $1,000? I'm not totally set on which HP I want, but am considering both the RS-1 and Senn 650 w/upgraded cable, or SR100's w/HP1000 drivers. A…

Hey guys, wanted to ask you for some advice. I'm about to make an amp purchase and I've always wanted to hear some of Justin's amps. However now I'm stuck in one of those am I making the right decision by spending this much money for the source that I have. What's my lame source? An iPod with Lossless codecs going through line out. I know its not the greatest source but it's also very hard to match the convenience of an iPod. This is mainly for office use so I'm not in the market for a portable amp anymore. I'd rather invest the money into something a little more solid. So I guess my main question is... Is the GS-1 overkill for the iPod or should I just stick …

This morning, I received the GS-1 that I bought from veloaudio and since it's a rainy/cloudy day and I had nothing very important to do this afternoon, I decided to do something that I rarely do (because frankly it's a pain in the ass), an amp comparison. I thought it was an interesting comparison to make because the two amps are different implementations of the classic Dynalo design by Kevin Gilmore, but at very different price points. On one side, HeadAmp 899$ GS-1 that's been a respected amp for a few years and on the other side, the Chinese-made HA-006+ that's a newcomer to the market at a very attractive price of 280$. Features The HA-006+ has an headphone out…

HEADAMP GSX #001 (Alaska size pics) A few shots of the long awaited GSX in my rig, just opened the package,setup her up, and took some shots...for you people of course... Now if you don't mind my ears have a date with her and I am not wasting no more time! I know they are sloppy but I got an important Date now...byebye and enjoy

I misplaced my charger, and I don't remember what I can change and what I can't. The DAC/Amp says 12V DC and shows the polarity. That means 12V, right? I can't use a 15V charger on it? I can use higher amperage, but the voltage has to be correct, right? 'cause the charger I thought I had for it says 15V, but the connector is correct and the polarity is correct. But it could well be for something else, like an external hard drive.

Hey guys, @justin and I are excited to make our first offer on the burgeoning deal site Massdrop: it's the Original HeadAmp Pico DAC/Amp! https://www.massdrop.com/buy/headamp-pico-portable-dac-amp Get in soon, to save up to 50% off the retail price of $499. This is a limited-time, limited quantity deal, and once the Picos at this price are gone, they're gone. The Pico DAC/Amp uses an ASRC to upsample signals of 16/44 and 16/48 to 24/96 before converting them with a well-regarded Wolfson DAC chip. The Pico DAC works without drivers on Windows and Macs, and works on some Apple iOS products when paired with a camera connection kit, and select Android d…

I'm debating which amp I should get. Right now, I have a home based Pimeta. I would like something warmer though. Which of these amps should I get? I only use Grado headphones (sr225 and sr100) thanks

At the multi thousand dollars price bracket, there is no bad amplifiers. - Mike Famous last words. Should pose an entertaining read. http://www.headfonia.com/true-beauty-wooaudio-wa5-headphone-amplifier/

Since Tyll and company are now out-of-biz, I'm hoping some of that company's schematics are floating around. Anyone know of a source? Thanks!

So I need to send in my Balanced Desktop for a minor repair. I am very tempted to have them install a stepper while it's in the shop. Yea or Nay?

The page on the new Ultra DAC would appear to establish that a companion amp is also on the way. Can anyone with better eyes than me make out what the leftmost switch is labeled? If it's indeed "Rear Outputs", I'm going to do a little happy dance!

Does anyone know if the Headroom Portable Desktop Amp is center pin negative or positive?

Oh SNAP! Just when I thought my wallet was safe Tyll goes and drops a bombshell like this thing: For more information have a look at the Sponsored Thread on Head-Fi.

At what point should you start to worry about how hot your amps (and other components) get? For example, my HR Balanced desktop runs hot, as expected, and so does the Desktop Power Supply. Further the DAC1 also runs pretty warm, which is also expected. Regardless of the fact that it is expected, it still concerns me. Should it? At what point do you consider the heat as a sign of a problem, or the imminent cause of one. Er, aside from fire that is.

Hey all, Just heard from my friend Renato [looser101] and Peter has finally dropped my amp off to him, so I will be getting it back tonight. I'll be sure to take pics and let you know how it is and if there are any improvements. Apparently the faceplate still looks pretty ghetto, but I will be having a nice wood one made by Steve [swt61] anyways. Now on to the tube question: He has removed the 4 6H30's from the amp and installed 4 6BZ7's. I haven't talked to him about this, so I don't know the reason, but I am sure he will explain it to me tonight... though I doubt it will make any sense. Anyways, what do you know about hte 6BZ7? What brands would you recomme…

hi. Okay, here is the low-down, I'm borrowing the F1 from Humanflyz. I connect the F1 to my ZD as a pre and then the K1000. However, I get a hum. where is it coming from? Well, i switch sources... that's not it. I turn the volume all the way up on the ZD and it's still the same (meaning it doesn't originate with the ZD). The only other option is that the F1 is the cause. Since i didn't hear it at Mike's, i'm sure I must have caused it. the issue here is whether the problem is caused at the "power" source (since i'm connecting it to a general 5 outlet power strip) or the PC (since it's just a standard computer Power cord). The other option is that i may be gett…

Hi, I am presently looking at an amp to run my HD600's. I am also looking if possible to consolidate and use a good portable to cover those and my IEM's. Looking closely at the pico as it "might" fit both bills, but i know the lean is toward a decent home rig...in which case i am looking at DV336SE or one of the LD units as they are available here locally pretty easily. Anyone have feedback on using pico to drive 600's? Or else talk me away from it and into a dedicated home amp! Thanks!

Looking for an "endrig" in "till death do us part" or "till my ship comes in." Was leaning toward Pete's new Monster TTVJ but concerned about it's brightness and reports that it may not be as involving as some other choices and well it is $6000! Then there's the BHSE but that marries me to electrostatic when the Monster has such dynamic versatility. And now I'm hearing alot about Craig's amps: the Nautalus and the Balancing Act. However I just talked to him yesterday and they really seem to be on the back burner in terms of production and distribution. So that leaves the Zana Deux and the HD-2(which I know nothing about but have only heard about in passing) I know t…

So I chose to buy the AKG 450, however I saw a review that said these headphones should be listened with a 320kpbs and my music is only 256. Will it really be a big deal? Would buying a portable amp for it fix it? I also listen to classical. Also, what amp should I buy? I am looking for under $70 I thought about the Fiios E11. Any other reccomendations? Please help!

My MPX3 in the toaster variety isn't turning on. Any suggestions?