Headphone Amplification

Ok guys after plenty of surfing...i've decided "bang for buck" DIY is the way to go. Im looking for synergy with my T50RP. I got to hear Millet minimax that TomB brought at the 2010 meet and was very impressed. More research i find the Bottlehead Crack receiving accolades as well. Cut to the chase. Which and how intense would either build be for someone that walked by a soldering gun once? Trav

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

Only US$37,950 at your friendly MSB purveyor of fine products. Roll up, roll up, get yours now. http://www.msbtech.com/products/headphone.php?Page=../index

This is something I've been wondering about for a week or two. Why can't I find a class AB design by Kevin Gilmore ? Am I missing something. I know the difference between A and AB, but am still interested as to why. Is switching so bad that one of the best engineers stay away from it all together or is it simpler than that: "Why AB when you can A" PS: I am a n00b so please be gentle :) Oneminde

Can someone explain this to me using, you know, science/logic? Thanks. Oil damped tubes I am not trying this, btw.

http://www.6moons.com/news/news.html About a third of the way down the page, an October 7th entry, any notice this or know anything about it? Sure looks puuurty Unfortunately the websites product pages links don't seem to be working http://www.trafomaticaudio.com/products.php

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…

Hello, I'm new to audiophile headphones and I mean completely. I bought based upon recommendations on various websites an Aune X1S. I play Spotify with my iPhone 6 and sometimes my Mac. I understand that I can use an RCA cord to do analog. I want to know how I can connect it digitally? I read that I need an Apple lightning camera connector. Is this the one? Here is the back of the Aune X1S: Thanks for any help that you can give

Sorry for the quality of the pictures... I really need to get a tripod. A few points: - Yes, the 1/4" jacks are different. Yes, it will be fixed. - The Power keystart switch failed and Peter had to bypass it... I'm glad this happened before he handed the amp over. - The faceplate didnt really turn out as Peter and I wanted it. Neither of us payed anything for it though so no harm. Steve [swt61] should be able to remedy this for us in any case. - The XLR jacks are way too close to the volume knobs... this is one of the things that we will try to remedy with the new faceplate. - I believe Peter mentioned that there is some more exterior finishing th…

I've been reading about and trying out different ways to drive my HD600s using an Apogee Mini-DAC, from using the standard HP out, to driving cans via the balanced XLRs, to using the XLR --> RCA to my Headfive (still saving up to buy a balanced amp). When I drove my HD600s directly from the balanced XLRs I found the music "flat", although the L/R separation was notably better, especially in a few drum 'n bass tracks (much punchier), and has given me a "taste" of the balanced sound (the first one's always free)... However, this flatness rules out driving the HD600s direct from the XLRs. So, here's the question - I've been comparing the XLR --> Headfive with…

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).

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…

... I don't have the amp! Lol!! First of all, hi to all As I reported in the Title, I've already a vintage rs-1 recabled apuresound V3 and a Bluenote Stibber as cd-player. But I don't have the amp, I would like to recive some suggestions. I'm thinking of some valve amp in the price range of 1000euro/1500dollars, no more . I'm thinking also about the earmax SE, what do you think about? I've already possessed a rudistor nx-01 and nx-33ev08! For now thanks a lot! Marco

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!

I got my mayflower O2+ ODAC last week. My primary headhpones are the 600 ohm version of the dt880s and I also tested my old ath-m50's. The audio quality is really poor. Sounds dirty and there's distortion where there shouldnt be. When I plug into my onboard audio the audio is crystal clear using the same audio file(FLAC and 320kbps music). Basically my onboard sounds better in every situation. I've made sure the audio quality is set to 24/96khz. I've tested it with my source volume at 50-80%. I've even done all these steps ive listed above on my friends computer with the exact same results. His onboard sounded better, and his mobo is 3 years older than mine. I dont have a…

You've lived your whole life as an audiophile experiencing the natural goodness tubes bring to headphone amplification. While others sought refuge in new technologies, in solid state design, you were content to relish in the warmth of heated glass, ignoring any design that did not implement your selfish, no, sinful obsession, with hot, glowing metal through sometimes tinted glass. But what will you do when all the NOS tubes are gone? What will you do when Sovtek 6sn7s go for $750 a pair? Today, this is a lesson you must learn. Look around you. All around this room are popular solid state amp designs in the $1000 dollar or less range, maybe a bit more if you can stretch…

Info about an upcoming electrostatic amp from Bottlehead. https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=12157.0

I have recently come to an agreement with a very talented builder. He is going to build two reference tube amplifiers (One for himself and one for me). It?s going to be a two chassis, all premium parts, Siltech G6 point to point wiring tube amplifier. He?s a single ended guy and I remain unconvinced that balanced is worth the trouble. So it?s going to be single ended. Since my source is single ended only it should work out well. We?re still working out the exact circuit topology and ergonomics of the units; number of inputs, type of volume control, preamp outputs ect. I?ll be lucky if I get the finished amp by September. I think it?s more likely to be a killer Christma…

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.

Remanufacture of the Western Electric 300B to start........... https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-return-of-the-legend.870227/

Has anyone built a high quality transformer / convertor to run Stax headphones out of the speaker terminals of a power amplifier? I know there has been some negatives about the Woo Wee. I am thinking is there a much higher quality option that can compete with the KG Stat amplifiers and that is safe i.e. won't damage the headphones or the power amplifier feeding the converter. Many years ago I used an SRD-7 which was ok, nothing great. Any information would be much appreciated.

Hi, I'm looking for a portable headphone amp with good imaging, high detail and a very fair reproduction of the source. My budget is roundabout $400. I was considering one of the offerings from Ray Samuel until I read the opinions here. Instead do you have any particular recommendations? I've heard good things about Graham Slee's voyager, would that be a good choice? This is all baring in the that I'm limited to closed phones because I'll be monitoring input sources - perhaps oneday I'll invest in the etymotic H4s's. Cheers

So I got a pair of K1000s a couple weeks ago, and now I need an amp. Any ideas?

The Backstory: So, Nate ordered a Lunch Box from Eddie Current, and realized he wouldn't need it because of his plans to build an Akido. I had almost ordered one, and a trade was worked out so that I would get the Lunch Box for my office rig. The office setup was completed by another trade with Nate to get his HD-600's since this amp is for headphones with > 150 ohm impedence. The Arrival: Well, it finally arrived yesterday @ Nate's office. As we only work a few miles apart, it was all I could do to wait 'til after work to get it! So you can imagine my disappointment when I get home after work, insert the tubes, plug it in and find it won't turn on! No! So it left…

So, I have owned the Moth 300B for years and have never once experienced what is happening right now. I was playing speakers through it earlier just fine, and was putting records on shelves, etc., so not being too critical. Wanted to switch to K1000s out the back so switched the speaker cables for the pigtail and went out on the porch. In order to adjust volume on the lousy recording I was listening to, I went into the room again and was thinking that the K1000s were really loud through the window and 10 feet away. But even after unplugging them from the pigtail, music played on quite audibly... So for some reason, this straight up power amp with now speakers attac…