Headphone Amplification

Hey guys. Who is the biggest, toughest guy here who I should punch and get beaten up by to fit in and look kool? I got a question for you, as I don't like to take the word of head-fi to be gospel and like to get a variety of opinions from a variety of sources, and it seems people are a bit more straight forward here, which is what I am after. I recently purchased the HD650s and am looking at getting some RS1s in the near future. I am looking for a sexy amp to take hold of these cans reins and take me for a ride I will never forget.. or something. In your wise opinions, what should I be looking at as a match made in heaven for these 2 cans? A few I've been looking at…

Was meandering over at H-F and noticed another new little amp that grabbed my interest, the Schiit Asgard FET amp. Looks like it might be a fun little amp to play with. I'm contemplating getting it as it's pretty cheap and has a decent amount of power to use as a small SS living room amp. We're still waiting on internal pics but was wondering what the gurus here think of their design philosophy.

Thanks to HC, I've pieced together a bedroom system consisting of: - McCormack Micro Headphone Drive (MHD) - Rotel RCD971 - Etymotic ER-4s I've tired of IEMs (ie sticking things in my ear) and these old ER-4s have been sitting in my desk drawer for years - sometimes I tried to sell it, but out of laziness it just sat there tucked away. Then I acquired the RCD971 (because I was in a weird GD phase and HDCD seemed pertinent). Then I acquired the MHD, which is the key here. I remember not too long ago when I was a piss-poor student and I lusted after McCormack gear, and the MHD popped up here on HC, and I couldn't resist. It was not planned this way, but this o…

I currently have a 2ch build with a gain of 5 that I like so like all things we like I want to change it So what are the real world, measurable and not measurable differences in: 2 v 3 v 4 channel builds 1 v 2 case builds Assume single o22 for all three. Gain set so output would be similar. Same parts selection except the pot etc. Go!

Got any? I am probably gonna be doing it up with an ipod classic and am looking for a portable amp that will not only ensure enough voltage but also a flat frequency response. I know the ipod isn't flat accurate by any means but I have heard that the right amp can compensate for this.

Until now, I've been using the included GE 8CG7s in my 007t. Today, however, I received a set of Japanese-made B&K 6CG7s and swapped those in place of the GEs. I then went through the re-biasing procedures (akin to trying to enter a revolving door in the middle of a tornado). Now for the problem... With the pot turned all the way up, I'm barely getting any volume. This is compared to the ear splitting volumes the 86G7s put out at about 9 o'clock. Are the tubes bad, or did I not bias them properly?

As usual I'm at a disadvantage as I never seem to be in the right place to hear the gear I'm interested in. I've pretty much ruled out tube amps (yes, they sound wonderful) due to the placement of the amp in conjunction with where i sit. It's a heat issue. So solid state it is. Wondering if anyone here has has the pleasure of listening to both of these fine amps and can share their respective strengths/weaknesses. YES, I know the GSX can accomodate balanced cans. Yep, I realize alot of folks have not heard the P1. If it matters I'll be feeding it with the Bel Canto Dac3. Any other options I should be considering at this price point? BTW, I know I can order bo…

Couldn't find based on a couple searches, but admittedly didn't exhaustively search. So if some kind soul can put away a shovel and answer me this, it'd be much appreciated. I sold off a brielfy-used Stax SRM-007t II when I got JP#'s exStatA. I had no issues with the volume controls, and L/R trackign was fine. Buyer doesn't have phones yet, nor someone near him with phones to borrow. But he noticed that the L/R volume controls behave differently. One rotates nearly 360 degrees ("normal"), but the other goes around and around. No mention of catches or clicks.....I also need to get clarification on which does what.... But wanted to throw this out here. Can s…

Hello, Just joined here. I am not sure if i used the search function correctly, but it showed nothing for either the FUN or HDP. Will anybody give some recommendation or comparison between the FUN and HDP? Thanks

Hi, I need some advice. I have a Metric Halo ULN-2 which I use for recording and as a DAC-unit with my Mac, through S/PDIF from my M-Box 2, which works fine. I am currently considering buying some high quality headphones to do as much work as possible with a headset, since I can't make much sound where I live. I was thinking about buying a pair of HD 650, but have read serveral places that some people doesn't think it works too well with the ULN-2 headphone amp because of too high impedance. I don't have much experience with headphones. Does anyone have an idea what I could connect between my ULN-2 and a pair of HD-650 to make them sound as good as they can? Some ki…

Found this lurking around the other place. I know nothing, just thought I'd share. Lost link to a Dynalo amp? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio Acoustic-Fun Kevin Gilmore backed it up in the Head-Fi thread.

I have been reading a lot of post, reviews and opinions, they have been informative, helpful, confusing and sometimes funny. Yesterday I was reading a post and I saw a picture of a cat showing his balls!! Anyway, I have done some research on amps, headphones and cd players. I came up with a system based on reviews and opinions only. I will probably not get a chance to hear first then buy. So for now I have to go by, like I said reviews, opinions and recommendations. So this is what I came up with: I could go cheaper or more expensive, this just seems to be solid, but I am at best, a amatuer. Einar Sound VC-01i Amp Audez'e LCD-2 Headphone Bryston-BCD-1 CD Player T…

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…

Just read about this in SoundOnSound magazine -- another entry into the portable USB DAC/amp category. Of interest: extremely small USB-powered very simple (USB port on one end, headphone jack on the other, volume knob) company provides technology to the likes of Benchmark, et al targeted at professionals (and probably "prosumers") "seriously low" jitter figure via reclocking (1 picosecond) $400 It's that second-to-last one that caught my attention (no, Colin, I still haven't read that article you linked for me).

Hi all. I stumbled across this headphone amp. I found it on this site: Trafomatic Audio - Experience HEAD ONE Here is what it says: Experience HEAD ONE Continuing with our line of fine amplifiers in Experience series, Experience Head One tube stereo headphone amplifier has been released on audio scene recently. Following basic design principle in accordance with philosophy of whole Experience series, this product offering an extended functionality unusual with amplifiers of the same type. beside it's general purpose to drive different types of dynamic headphones, this device is designed with some additional and very useful features. Owners of transistored audio sys…

http://www.head-case.org/forums/headphone-amplification/7028-mysteriously-musical-amplifier-moth-300b-problem.html Well, I'm hearing the same symptoms on my Stax T1S now. This amp has no output transformers so... what's going on here <.< And no, its not just the new Shuguang CV181-Z that's doing this, the tube I was using before this was doing it too, albeit less audibly (probably because its only half the size).

What is the general consensus on running the Headamp Pico as a preamp in a system?

So I've been able to recently acquire a used KGSS. Using it with my 404LE, but I got it in anticipation of trying a 4070 and/or O2 at some point. It supposedly has a stepped DACT attenuator added (as original attenuator failed). It has some very noticeable static when I turn the volume knob, especially between each notch, but goes away completely when I set it at any specific volume level. The seller specifically disclosed this before the purchase, so all is good. I can live with it, as it sounds so good with the 404LE. My question is - in the future, if I wanted to eliminate this minor flaw, is it as simple as replacing with a new quality attenuator? (I'd have …

Standard audio rack size, w/ ears and everything? I know you can mount the mini dac or the metric halo stuff, but I'm wondering about a fully dedicated headphone amp.

I use a HeadRoom Micro Stack to power my full-sized cans at my desktop. I use a RSA Hornet to power full-sized cans when I am not by my Micro Stack. I also use the Hornet with my Shure E4c, but not often, since they are easy to drive by my iPhone 3G or 2nd Gen Nano (there is some improvement, but nothing to jump up and down for). What I'd like to get is something smaller than the Hornet. I would like for it to be from a vendor that is not known for long delays, poor communication, not keeping promises, etc. It can be from anywhere, as long as shipping to the U.S. is OK, but I'd prefer something shipped FROM the USA (does not need to be MADE in USA). Vendor should…

I suspect everyone it tired of Singlepower issues, but quick question if you don't mind. Any suggestions for eliminating hum from an Extreme Platinums preamp out? Have moved outlets, swapped variety of tubes, tested other preamps, used with headphone and speakers, to no avail. For a decent chuck of music I like the Singlepowers punch with the Emotiva RPA-2 and K1000s over other pres around the house (GS1 or Parasound P/SP 1500), but of course the slight hum is killing it. Headphone out has always been good, though the three inputs have never been able to be used simultaneously (all work, just not cables plugged into to any two at one time - goes very quiet even if only on…

I see during several of the FET-A reviews the Gilmore Lite/GS-1 were understandably brought up as natural competitors, but as reviewers didn't have the HeadAmps on hand at the time, I wondered in the last few months if anyone has had a chance to A/B (especially with Senns)?

I am thinking, just maybe, of switching back to K1000, but not sure if I could do it, because of financial issue. That's why I would like to see if I can find some reasonable priced tube speaker amp for them. Budget within USD 1500. I was thinking of Cary Xciter, but he is to pricey if not say more, however the tube rolling options of it is quite nice. Let see what you all think of that guys/girls THX

hi everyone, i m torn between building an ehha and an aikido and the lack of info about them(especially aikido) has led me to ask for a comparison between the two. i d be using the ehha with a sigma22 and the aikido would be broskie latest octal lsa/hpa all-in-one(because i have a couple of sylvania and rca 6sn7 doing nothing in my wardrobe). comments on any aikido amp would be welcome as well. i m opened to other tube amps but those two seemed the best to me as far as i looked. if it can help i have a beta22 and a dual darkvoice 336i that you can compare with. any input would be appreciated

I just discovered my latest Mikhail "gotcha". At his last public appearance, the June 2008 NorCal meet, I bought a NOS 6385 tube from Mikhail for what turned out to be about 50% more than the going price at the time. Later I wrote that off as more bad dealings with Mikhail. Today, I stuck it on the Jackson 648A tube tester I recently bought. Both sections test at ~30%. So he got me twice, once for the exorbitant price and once for a bad tube at that price. I'm posting this to warn you to test all tubes that you might have bought from Mikhail. There is a good chance that some/many of them are bad. The good news is that now that my Extreme has been made reliab…