Headphone Amplification

I have been a long time supporter of DIY tube amps. I want to try an SET headphone amp. What I am finding is you can buy a new WA6 for less than building a proper SET amp because the air gapped headphone OPT's cost so much. Is the WA6 a well designed amp, does anyone know the topology? I'm on the fence with this one, any feedback would be appreciated.

Hi guys, Has anyone heard the Mapletree Ear+ Purist HD? I've read a few positive remarks about it on Head-Fi but details are lacking. Is anyone able to comment on how it would compare with a PPX3? And another question, how is the standard PPX3 (>$650) compared with the 6SN7 version (>$750) or SLAM? I've always had the feeling that it wasn't worth it to get a PPX3 unless I got the SLAM version (>$800) though. Seems like everyone is telling me that extra $200 is the absolutely worth the money, and it's almost pointless to spend $650 for a standard PPX3. Cheers and thanks guys! Nanoha

I finally got this guy from fed ex this morning but have only listened to a few CD's on it. So far I like it over my old amp which was an SR-71 [sic] and sick. I'm using this amp with my only piar of reference headphones that I have on me right now which are HD650s. When I get my sr325's back I'll see how this amp pairs with them. I'm using them out of a harman/kardon hd710. This is the most laid back amp I've heard, though it should be noted that I haven't heard a lot. There is a real focus on the midrange and upper midrange. Trebble is present but this amp is by no means forward. This amp produces little bass and what bass there is has little punch. That's the only …

Hi guys, I wasn't quite sure where to put this thread since the DA10 is a source, but it has a headphone-out. Since I'm referring to the headphone-out, I guess it goes in the amps section. So. Has anyone tried the DA10's headphone out with a high-end A-T? Actually, I'm basically looking for a $1000 source + amp setup for high end A-T's so that if a 45th anniversary headphone comes out, I'll be ready. (And if not, I'll just get a W5k.) I can't afford the matching amps (HA-5000 for example) or else I would only need to look for a source. The DA10 is just one of the many options I'm thinking about. Well, I don't want a setup along the lines of Zhaolu -> Dynahi.

knowing u guys are interested in the schematic for this amp so i went around begging people in other forum for this, finally got it is this the correct schematic for that amp?

SET and push-pull designs in tube amps? I know this is a very broad question, but what I am interested in is, if one design is suitable more for some type of headphones over the other. As far as I know, with the same tubes, push-pull designs can put more power, however with the usage of headphones, that should not be that important, I guess. The reason of this question is the following: I am wondering, if HD800s will be driven better with a PP or SE design in the same price range? What do you think? Also, very briefly, why? I would appreciate any information you might provide. Thanks.

I opened this thread yesterday: http://www.head-case.org/forums/headphone-amplification/7635-can-someone-provide-information-about.html I see that it has been closed. I am wondering what was wrong with it. I checked wikipedia before opening it, read basic differences about the two designs, I also mentioned one in the thread myself. Was it wrong to ask about the suitability of one over the other when used with high impedance headphones requiring a nice synergy with amps (HD800s)? I really found it strange that the thread has been closed. And for the reference to google, well that was a nice touch, I did not know search engines existed. Thanks. Don't you think I woul…

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

Yes, I've finally took delivery of my Diablo. I just picked it up a few minutes ago, it's charging at the moment, so I don't have too much to report. I'll take some pics and report on it's performance out of the box in a few hours.

Hi ! I get this unit, but I'm confusing with offset voltage - I measured the output offset voltage and it is far from 0V - I do not know if these stax amplifiers have that, but mine has, respectively: 8.8V, 5.4V, 12V and -0.6V? Electrostats are rather new to me, but here the DC voltage at the output should be close to 0V, as in conventional amplifiers? Is it not damaged? Does anyone have a list of the correct voltages in this model?

Dear all, I’m currently considering to up-dating my STAX-compatible HeadAmp with an extra-option of a variable Polarization Voltage . Reportedly, the SR-007 Mk2 may benefit from such a higher voltage Who has experience with such a feature ? Thanks & Regards Urs

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

Let me first begin by describing my background. I'm no audiophile, in fact I never had a CD player or even a casette player when I was a bit younger. It wasn't until a few years ago that I bought my first mp3 player. I went through a bunch of very low end headphones, most were only suitable for very casual listening and more PC gaming, and nothing more. Recently I decided to treat myself, took a risk and bought the HD555s. For the price I got them for, they sound excellent. Better than anything else I've owned or have tried in recent memory. But I can't help that I'm not getting the most out of them. Right now I'm running a PC with the original Audigy 1 soundca…

I recently bumped into this site decware, where they make SET amplifiers without circuit boards. Being a complete electrical engineering idiot, Im wondering if there is any merits to it. If im not mistaken, audionote uk does not use circuit boards too. There's the internals to one of his speaker amps. Im quite tempted to put down an order for one just for novelty sake and the lifetime warranty. If im not mistaken he makes headphone amps and kind enough to include the schematics. Quite skeptical about the beeswax caps though. http://www.decware.com/newsite/TABOO.htm

so what do we have here stax 717 in a huge metal case now the weight has increased from 5 kg to 11 kg it seems like the case is made well, all the places for fastenings are made accurately the main thing is that it works

Hi all, First post here. I was wondering if the 6922 has less gain than a 6n2 tube, and are they roughly interchangable? Thanks.

Just showed up today: stepped attenuator, four inputs, high/low gain switch First impressions: this thing is HUGE, and pretty heavy (18 lbs maybe). Usually when I see something online, it ends up being smaller in person. I honestly expected the Dynahi to be about the size of a PPX3 chassis, and its actually as wide as the Melos and a bit taller! I had a brief scare when I was trying to hook it up. The labels on the source selection knob on the front don't match up to the plugs on the back, so for a while I wasn't getting any sound. Now I have the ICs running into the DAC inputs, but my source selection knob is on tuner. Actually, the inputs on the back are l…

First things first - I have no direct affiliation with this product or the vendor but I'm friendly with the designer. If that makes me biased, so be it, I guess I'm biased. Now, onto the amp. Basically it's a single ended amp with transformer coupled inputs and outputs to provide balanced operation and was designed to drive anything from IEMs to the K1000 (via selectable outputs). The tube compliment consists of a 7N7 input tube and two 307A output tubes. More details are available on Todd's site. I'm certainly looking forward to giving it a listen at CanJam even though it far exceeds the ability of my wallet.

I have a Stacker II due around the end of January. This is a hybrid tube amp that goes well beyond the already excellent Millet and SOHA/ SOHA 2 hybrid amps. The Stacker has a true high voltage tube gain stage attached to a discrete transistor output stage .... and in my case a tube rectified power supply. I cant get enough of the SOHA/ JISBOS hybrid or maxxed Millet Starving Student with my woodied Alessandros .... the sound is delightful. Here are some pics ....

Considering the overwhelmingly negative sentiment on Head-Case regarding RSA and its designs I have up until now stayed silent. I defer to KG technical expertise. I do read most of the anti-Ray propaganda that is posted. I believe that all of this propaganda has given me a slight predisposition against liking the Sonics of RSA?s products. It is with this predisposition that I attended this weekends NYC meet. I tend to pay attention to products that might be considered very high end. I already own what I consider to be the finest portable amp so I had little interest in listening to the new Tomahawk or even the Hornet, so I won?t comment on their performance or value ex…

I have the Senn 800 on route, the Audeze LCD-2 on pre-order, the HE-5LE in house and my only amp is the Meier Concerto to use when I compare contrast them to my KGSS/O2. Thinking it might be a slaughter. So what single, hopefully quickly sourced amp can both amp the trio above well and provide at least some chance of pulling me away from the O2 for around $1K. Go For anyone curious as to why I'm even entertaining the tourny... My O2 cable got torn inside the jacket so I sent it off to the UK for repair which in turn made me realise I had been out of the hobby aspect of audiophilia for 4 years So I'm running around grabbing cans to try that I missed along the …

Well, I was supposed to get my new balanced McAlister Audio amp Sunday morning... turns out that the faceplate guy had issues with the green sublimation process. I decided to get the amps name in a forest green colour. Should have just left well enough alone! But then again, maybe not! I get a call from Peter on Sunday afternoon. He says he has been listening to my amp, and while it sounds incredible, he decided that he wants to go a little more 'over the top' with it. A man after my own heart. So, it looks like there will be 4 more tubes, for a grand total of 13... as well as two more metal can capacitors. He says that it looks like a BEAST. I can't wait to se…

Has anyone heard this amp with AKG K701's? Does the amp have enough output to drive them to decent listening levels? Looks well built. How does it sound?

My contribution to the madness...just finished yesterday: Take one of these: Put one of these on it: Build this: and this: plug them in and.... viola! Eventually I'll get the two ground channel boards for the single-ended capabilities, but for now it's balanced heaven.

not sure if this warrants a completely new thread, but i'm hearing this "bing" noise whenever i touch my volume knob. is this normal or should i get this looked at? i did just switch in a new gain tube, so i'm not sure if it's that.