Headphone Amplification

This is something I've been thinking about for quite some time now, why is it that some headphones are automatically assumed to require super-expensive over the top amps while others aren't? The examples I'm specifically thinking of are the Senn 580/6x0 and AKG K701 along with Grados like the RS-1. As most of you have likely heard by now, everyone "knows" that the Senns & AKG "need" the best amp money can buy, and if the sound isn't quite right it's always the fault of the amp because it's not good enough. I've also noticed that scores if not hundreds of people own $1000+ amps for the above headphones. On the other side of the coin we have (John) Grados, everyon…

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

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Is this true? Has anyone opened up the HPA-1? And are there schematics for the HPA-1? Danke

Does anyone know what the polarity is of the Sonic T-Amp DC power input? TxIA...

Well, my problems with the Val E10 continue. After 5 days with it I'm done. At this point I'm really tired of messing with this. It has taken up way to much of my time. I got the replacement tube yesterday, and of course I still have the same problem of a buzz and no music after about an hour or so. I think instead of wasting anymore time I'm just going to order the WOOAudio 3plus. I don't think it will have any trouble with my K701's, and I should easily be able to get tubes, and repairs for it. Do you know anything about these amps? The 3 plus was beefed up to handle the K701's better. If you have any info on this amp let me know. I'll be ready to pull the trigger in a…

Heh...I JUST found this place. I had a uestion about the predator, and there hasn't been an answer. I'm thinking it won't be answered because my suspicions are right. That and any negativity (even if contructive) towards RSA is frowned upon over there. Apparently not so much here, so I'll ask here, lol. Here's the post I made, and it hasn't gotten a response yet: -------------------------------- I have a question about the gain. You say the gain is set at 11 in high. An iPods line out is 1vRMS, which is 2.8vpp full scale(volts peak to peak, according to Vinnie on various threads). Wouldn't you need ATLEAST 32 volts to have a gain of 11 on an iPod so you don't…

I am the recent owner of a DIY tube integrated built by a friend. It uses 2 6SN7s for input, and a single 6BX7 (or 6BL7) for output. Pics: Picasa Web Albums - hagbard - Tube Amp Here's my issue - there is a very slight hum audible with my Grados (I don't notice it with my higher impedance Beyers). I should note that this is the second iteration of this amp from the same builder. The first one had a significant hum (along with occasional buzzing), which the builder explained was caused by the cheap parts he used in too small a chassis (he told me he threw it together in an afternoon with parts he had laying around). This version is much quieter with only the bar…

Folks, nubie here.......Been browsing the whole 20 over pages of portable amps in search of desktop amps for my future desktop rig. Have ordered HF-2 and looking to pair it with desktop amps. I listened mainly to pop (air supply, kylie, air supply, any stock, aitken, waterman arrangement), jazz (shakatak), adult contemporary(george benson, gloria estefan, everything but the girl, etc), smooth jazz (acoustic alchemy, peter white, jim brickman, etc), easy listening, slow rock (toto, journey), rock (poison). My collection is some 30% 320kbps, 25% lossless WMA and the rest 192 to 128 kbps (slowly will upgrade to lossless WMA by re-ripping my CD collection). I plan to list…

Hey all, I was thinking of upgrading my 45 tubes for my custom made SET Headphone amp. Currently I have a simple ST shape pair (Rytheon or Sylvania, I don't recall). There are quite a few options, most of them are expensive and some are scary expensive (Like the EML stuff). The Old NOS ones: Blue arcturus 145 (probably around 300$ for a NOS pair), If you can find some. Baloon type 45s (245/345/etc...) NOS, around 250$ a pair for those rare units from 1930-1940, don't know any preferred manufacture. The New ones: EML 45- 400/500$ for a pair of Solid Plate/Mesh. EML 45 Ballon style speical Edition - 600$ a pair. Sophia Electric 45 - 250$-275$ for a new pair …

Can any HE90 owners suggest a 'budget' amp for driving a pair of these headphones? There are a few Stax SRM-007T on Yahoo Japan that won't plunge me further into horrible debt ($600-ish). How would they do? This is really only until I can save up for something a lot nicer. Cheers, Wai

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…

Hi all, New guy here, just like to introduce myself. More of a speaker guy myself, but have recently discovered the virtues of a good headphone. Anyway, was wondering if anyone around here has had experience with the 6H30 tube, using a pair of sov's atm but im not liking the reliability of them (might be bad batch dunno). So was eyeing the electro-harmonix gold pin version, however some sources suggest they have a different pin config. I'm sus of this, anyone know weither this is true or not?

Well here is some fresh meat for the peanut gallery. I got this off our resident gear whore Tyrion a while back in a gear swap. The Berendsen IPA 80 is from Germany and retails for about $2000 but they recently pulled out of the US market. From the website and visually there are three transformers one for the pre and one for each side of the amp. They talk about the power of the amp coming from ring emitter transistors ( I have no idea what the fuck that is). I will say this cleanly slays the Krell 400xi I owned briefly and thought sucked. The main bonus this amp presents in a killer headphone amp that is so ergonomically challenged it has me questioning the designers…

I have the standard old school Stax SR X Mk3 , SRD 7 set up. What would be another amp to upgrade to? Thanks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no such thing as a new production JAN tube, yes?

I know it runs them hot, is that the entirety of the reason, or is there more to it than that? Also, is it hard on the power tube, the rectifier, or both? Anyone know Pete Millet? Anyone want to ask him for me (diplomatically, of course)? Any good current production tubes for them?

A number of us have been contacting Hagerman over the past year or so regarding a SET headphone amp design. He said he'll do something about it independently. Oh snap. It's coming. Ultra excited. http://www.hagtech.com/castanet.html

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…

Is a gain of 5 too much for Audio-Technica W3000Anv?

I thought it was about time my cheap ass got a cheap headphone amp (I wouldn't be so cheap if I wasn't so broke ) and due to the overabundance of orthodynamics in my collection I need something with a good bit of powah, so far the only ones I've found that are both cheap and powerful seem to be the Darkvoice amps @1w. I'm thinking the little Figaro or 336. I've heard and liked the 336 but heard not the Figaro and that one is cheaper and looks less vulnerable to my clumsy ways. Anyone here heard one and have an opinion of it as a smallish and cheap workaday amp or others similarly priced ($200 inc shipping) with enough juice to run orthos?

I've just purchased a Pro-ject Headbox II SE Headphone amp and there appears to be a dearth of information and reviews about it. It is being used with a pair of Grado SR325i headphones, my source is a Sony SCD-XB940QS SACD/CD player via a Sony TAFE940QS amplfier (Tape loop)and a Van Den Hul Thunderline Interconnect. I'm delighted with this particular combination but I'm just wondering what other more informed people rated the setup-particularly the amp?

I thought this was an April fool at first, but apparently not! If you fancy a good laugh have a read of his review @ the other place http://www.head-fi.org/products/cavalli-audio-liquid-gold/reviews/10823 Just to whet your appetite Only Solid State Amp I've heard that Sounds Like a Hybrid: The Texture and Warmth of Tubes, but Control, Power and Precision of the Very Best of SS! From DAC or phonostage - to various musical genres! It just goes about its business and does its job better than almost every other amplifier I've heard. Perhaps the most musically engaging of them all actually - but I'm still figuring that out! Pros: Outstandingly Musical and Easy…

http://6moons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto4/ha02.html That looks really nice and their SET seems to be very well liked. Anyone want to take one for the team?

Well, I have decided to get the Woo Audio 6. This should have no problem driving my 701's, is built like a tank, and from what I have heard has a nice mellow sound.