Headphone Amplification

I've read some rather interesting comments over the past year or so regarding the DarkVoice. Is it something like the Ming Da and Bada offerings (relatively not so good in my opinion but some are quite vocal about it), or is it actually pretty good? Would anyone take it over a PPX3 SLAM? What about the Dodge amp some other people (you know who) are pushing?

I've posted my complaints in the other head-forum but no adequate responses or even any guidelines have been written. For the last month I hear a conciderable increase of the highs of my O2mk2. Somehow the highs "opened" and become more shrill and noticeable, some squeaky and ticking sounds protrude above the whole sound "picture". I mean sounds like the sound of a harpsichord or the movement of the fingers over the quitar's neck, or some "parasite" sounds which are found in all acoustic records. It sounds to me like sharp peaks in the upper frequencies range. Before this transformation the sound of the O2mk2 was smooth and laid back without anytning annoying and distrac…

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.

Recently i acquired a SRM1/MK2 (B series) Stax amp and a pair of sr404 which is bought for a sigma/404 conversion It comes with an imbalance issue. I first thought it is the headphone , but after several switches of equipment(amps,headphones etc） im certain that its the AMP. By observation there is no burnt resistors,measured some of them ,the VR seems to be functional........I tuned the offset and balance But the + to - voltage of the lower-volume channel doesn't change when i rotate the balance pot which is abnormal, it stays on 8v dc While all other balance and offset pots is fine. Have anyone once had the same issue ？Any thoughts?I need help…

Greetings since I am new to stax world, my current set up is 007Mk2 --- 007TII---chord hugo2 I wonder if buying a good power cable would be beneficial than the cheap one I am using now What is the best price/ performance power cable to buy that will not cause a big dent in the wallet to offer a noticeable sound improvement, and could you please explain what buying a power could would be a benefit for

Find more info here: http://www.rudistor.com/rp1000.htm

Hey all, sorry to add yet another HD800 amp thread but I'm really on the fence on what amp I should try next for my rig. My current setup is: Northstar M192 MK1 -> Gilmore Lite + DPS -> HD800 I'm currently interested in either getting a used Wooaudio 6 with the power supply upgrade and sophia tube or grabbing a 3 channel B22 kit from glass jar audio. Let's set a budget of around 800 for other suggestions. Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

I'm working on a person's Minibox E. What do these things take for a battery charger (he didn't send it). I think I got it fixed (self-inflicted from said person "rolling" the opamps), but since the battery seems to be drained, I can't test it without a bit more knowledge. Any schematics for these floating around? Seems to be rather similar to a Mint (and therefore SR71, etc.), but no rail splitter... must be using a pair of Li Ion with the ground taken at the junction (3 wires coming off the battery pack).

My Rockhopper Audio β22 has arrived! I have to re-arrange and adjust my rack shelves since I didn't leave quite enough vertical space when I last adjusted the shelves. Well, I'm going to go set it up now!

Can anyone suggest the dirt cheapest amp that will adequately drive the O2's? Will the SRM-252 work?

Get your orders in, folks, don't miss out: https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=120&cp_id=12008&cs_id=1200801&p_id=33305&seq=1&format=2

I cant wait! Should be here this afternoon when I get back.... Its going to be a long few hours...

So, I understand Doug is working on some new stuff. Anyone heard anything?

I have tried every possibility to optimize the circuit, but finally STAX has chosen the worst one. I'm pretty sure that STAX has gone with SMDs, it all fine, most parts in working will not generate lots heat, also SMDs significantly reduces the distributed inductance caused by PCB board through holes. ...... there some analyze and questions: 1, 4 large sized 7W 47kΩ resistors work as plate loads for 6SN7s, but higher value must be better, for example, two series 33K as 006T, or at least 62K 7W will far better than 47K, because 47K means too much current flow through 6SN7s, in my simulation is 9.5-10ma (grid at -9V), it's fine for 12AU7 or 12BH7, but 6SN7GT....…

Hi everybody! Greetings from Barcelona! This is my first post and I want to thank the attention of anyone who responds. I'm interested in buying a tube headphone amplifier, but I have a low budget so it would be interesting to hear some advice from more experienced owners. Looking for through the web I have ended with two interesting candidates: the Little Dot Mk II and the Appj PA1502a. Both have received quite good reviews (not many, but there are some) for the price so I'm undecided. The Little Dot is a class A OTL push-pull amp, while the Appj seems to be a class A transformer output single ended. As for …

I have a two speaker system and I'd like to incorporate a STAX setup into it. I'd like to continue to use my preamps remote control, and I want to use my preamps XLR output vs. my Rec Out's because well, I'm just funny like that. Is there a preferred way to adjusting the two volume controls when using a preamp and STAX amplifier? I know the 717 & 727 have a volume bypass switch, but I'm trying to open up my options to what amp I eventually get. Thanks

I can't stop laughing... this is the silliest amp I have ever seen.

I'm beginning to compose my "short list" for a head amp. One of the amps I've been looking at is the Cary SLI-80 and the F1 version only sold by Upscale Audio Cary Audio SLI-80 Signature F1. I'm somewhat concerned about the scorching heat these amps are reputed to produce and not convinced the F1 upgrades are worth it for headphone amp use. I have not had an opportunity to hear one, but understand the sound is not for everyone, but I don't know exactly what that means. The overall design seems to be good and it has been around since 1997. It has stood the test of time. Is anyone willing to comment about this amp and/or the F1 upgrade?

Eyeing some Quad 22L2s to replace 12L-as. Really love actives as the less components the better in my book, but if going with an external amp (I haven't seen encouraging signs of ~$2K floorstanding actives) does anyone have a suggestion for a smallish unit that would power the 22L2s? Pretty out of my element with speakers. Was originally eyeing the Parasound Zamp v.3 as nearly everything else I have is half-rack, but if I'm not sure it will be up for the task from the numbers (if reading correctly). Even up for altering the speaker pick (Shelly's choice of RX6s is also tempting from reviews), but my limitation is they and the amp would be best if sold by Amazon (gift cert…

Hey guys I was thinking of getting some kind ofa guide for the op amp based amps (mainly portable commercial design) but other amps are welcome too.. Headroom: Micro Module: AD822 Destop Moldule: OPA2134 Home Moldule: OPA2134 Max Module: OPA627 Pocket Amp 2 V2: LM4881 LaRocco: Pocket Reference 2: AD8610* Xin: Super Macro IV: AD8397* Super Mini: AD8397* Super Micro: ??* Meier Audio: Porta Corda 3: LM6171 HAII MKII/SE: LM6171 Prehead II MKII SE: LM6171 Portaphile: V2/X^3: AD8610 Ray Samuels Audio: Hornet: AD8397 SR71: AD8610 XP7: AD825??* HR2: AD797* Note the amps that hagev an * by them denotes that the op amp can be s…

http://tubecad.com/2007/08/blog0117.htm Woo! I wonder how it would do with Grados.

OMG this has got to be amazing right... it has a tube and it's a Cavalli and it's a Massdrop. What more could anyone ask for https://head-fi.org/threads/massdrop-x-alex-cavalli-tube-hybrid-amp-cth-dropping-monday.857673/#post-13654584 edited: ah man i was so excited till i saw this... ''Please be aware that this is not made by Cavalli. It's made by Massdrop by a China manufacturer with the Cavalli name being licensed, etc.''

After mucho waiting and waiting, it appears that Larry at LaRocco may...I say with hesitation...may be actually readying to ship. The latest word is that "some" amps will be shipping this week with the rest soon to follow. There were supposedly 50 in the original group buy, and according to Duncan (Larry's still not talking), there are 100 ready to go. Anyway, after all this waiting, this is all I've got to go on, so here are the lastest pics/teases swiped from a post at ipastudio: All non-alignment critical parts are assembled prior to final chassis assembly on the PCB. The final aligned control and interface components are installed in the chassis, tested,…

Anyone run into one of the Wells Audio Headtrip or Enigma amps at a meet or happen to own one? They are California based. A quote from their site about the Headtrip: "heavily biased into Class A..."... They better be damn good for the money. Reviews are strong but hard to trust when so many prove to be drivel. http://www.wellsaudio.com/products/headphone-amplifiers Specifications (from manufacturer): Phone impedance: 4 to 2000 Ohms Power output: 50w/channel at 8 ohms, 25W/channel at 32 Ohms 1.8W/channel at 600ohms Distortion: <0.006% at 1Khz at .1W to 100W at 4 Ohms Frequency Response: +/-0.25db…

Just up on InnerFidelity - Katz's Corner has a review of the KGSS Carbon and Dynalo Mk II built by Mjolnir Audio - well done, kevin and spritzer! He used an SR-007 Mk II with port mod and LCD-4 for the reviews.