Headphone Amplification

No bugger excepting that vile, evil, murderous Belgian bastard wanted it when I tried to sell it last year but that worked out fine because a K1000 came into my life and the two of them got on just lovely. With my passion reinvigorated for the AMT though, it can't cut the mustard both ways. Theres the most irritating hum on the right channel. Only with the AMT and I'm buggered if I know why. It's also being pre-amped by the NAD which leads to one sort of complication or another for muting the speakers. The NAD doesn't hum but is too powerful, if I'm not careful with the volume dial I blow my ears off, thus it is that I don't really have an amp that is fit for the purpo…

I just received the TTVJ FET-A from Todd for a loaner session. It looks and sounds great so far, and he has resolved the minor issues with the prototype faceplate. I will try to post pics tonight or tomorrow, but I am already listening to it as a preamp and the initial impression is very favorable. The sound is detailed, rich and full in my desktop setup, and the background / idle state is completely quiet. I am taking the output from my HeadRoom Desktop Amp into the TTVJ FET-A, and then into my HeadRoom Desktop Power Amps, out the Harbeths and into my ears. Because the amp has about 1 hour of burn-in, this will be a good way to log some hours while I am at work. I …

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…

Not a bad deal at all. Seller wants a local pickup. If I was in the Bay Area I would probably pick it up. Any Bay Areas interested? It is on sale on the other site. Seller is located in Sacramento. FS: SinglePower Extreme - Local preferred - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

I've heard a few Zana's at the meets but the only Beta I heard was Nate's first one......... and meet conditions are, far from optimal, so what do you guys think? Thanks USG

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…

I just have some perfunctory questions before I plunge for this purchase. Did Craig make any official statements regarding the differences between the new '09 models and the earlier ones? (I'm getting the earlier model # 18.) Similarly are there any revisions between serial numbers? Secondly, is the ZD specially tailored for Senn HD6XX? It seems that most OTL amps are. It's a short list, but any tips right now would really help me submit my final decision. Thx.

Hiw good an amp was the original Millet Max that used the BUF634?

I'm looking for some advice on a new headphone rig for work. I currently have a 2004 vintage Total Bithead, 10-year old Grado SR-80s (with new pads), and a pair of Etymotic ER-4Ss. Output is from a Mac via USB, CDs not ripped files. I recently purchased a Slim Devices Transporter and Onkyo 9555 for home, and the quality of those two combined bury the Bithead with the Etys. (The Bithead has actually had issues from day one: background his and a slight channel imbalance which I never quite believed until I had something to compare it with. I'm also pretty sure it just deosn't have enough power for the Etys. It's always sounded pretty good with the Grados.) I'm looking for a…

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Maybe Beefy knows something about these Aussie blokes? Their new Headamp popped up on HF this morning. It looks quite interesting as a potential match with HD800s. It's powered by their own discrete opamps, which they apparently also sell separately. Has anyone had any experience with rolling these?

What do you guys think of a B22 as headphone duty and preamp duty? How do you think feel about a B22 as a preamp? Is it a bad idea?

AudiogoN ForSale: Moth Audio S2a3 Ready for horns.

FS: RSA P-51 Mustang - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio pictures say it all. i mean hot pink...really? question 2 - who the hell makes that case?

I'm waiting to hear back from Stephen from Rockhopper audio about a possible home B22 trial. While I wait, can anyone comment on comparing tubes to a B22? I have a Woo Audio 6 SE so any direct comparisons would be great. As far as music goes, I listen to almost everything (no country) but right now I'm mostly listening to folk and indie rock. Thanks in advance!

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

From Moon Audio's website: Cary Audio Seems pretty pricey, although it is from Cary.

What are the differences between the Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 headphone amp with the X-PSU external power supply and the V8 version?

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 want a seperate volume dial for the Aleph, at the minute its run off the second set of pre-outs on the NAD. Means I have to fanny around with the switchbox and I'd like rid of that irritation. Cheapest pre-amp i've spotted is the little pro-ject box at

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…

I am looking for an amp and would like to go with a portable(Zen Head, Mustang, ELO Mini3, etc) but would consider a desk-top for $2-300 if the sonic advantages were there. Do RCA inputs amount to better sonics or to the guts of the units decide that fact? And do desktop units have better parts, necesarily, than portables? The desktops units i'm considering are the new Trends, and any other that are priced $2-300. thanks

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?

A week or two ago I snagged a used GS-1 from HF (from doobooloo). It arrived and I let it adjust to room temp before firing up, and all seemed well until the left channel cut out almost completely. Flipping the high/low gain switch seemed to almost fix it. I contacted doobooloo and he said that it was a common problem with some GS-1's with the DACT stepped attenuator, and that popping the lid and reseating the molex-like connector for the left channel at the DACT SA would fix it. It did... for about 10 days. I noticed it again today, and so I popped the lid and reseated again. The molex connector grips firmly and none of the pins seem to have any play. So... is the…

AudiogoN ForSale: Doshi Audio Alaap Anyone?