Headphone Amplification

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…

Damn! I want to go home early to play with my new toy. I just received my Headroom Desktop Portable with the home module and the DAC. It?s going to serve as my Bedroom amp. It?ll be driven with USB or SPDIF from my computer (All MP3?s at 256K) or my Pioneer DV-563a for all silver discs both analog and possibly SPDIF. I?ll have to listen to determine the exact setup that I?ll end up with. I could go USB from the computer and SPDIF (Custom Siltech RCA to 1/8? digital cable) from the Pioneer for Redbook, and analog (Via Siltech Forbes Lake G6) for SACD and DVD-A. It?ll also see portable use with my Ety ER4S and my Archos AV420 with MP3 (all at 256K) I LOVE getting n…

So much for a cheap amp upgrade... As the topic says, I'm now trying to decide between the Singlepower PPX3 SLAM and the Mapletree Ear+Purist HD. I would have to find the Singlepower amp second hand to be able to afford it, probably in Canada (a long shot but I can wait). The Ear+HD is not worth buying used since I can get it tax-free here, and I seriously doubt I would be able to buy it second hand from a Canadian. They would likely end up being about the same price. As I said in the previous thread, I currently own RS-1s and UM2s, and I will probably be picking up some Senns or Beyers in the not-too-distant future to see how I like them. However, RS-1s are my prim…

I currently have a Millett Hybrid as my main headphone amp, and I'm considering switching to an nicely speced M3. I would probably have to sell the Millett to finance the M3, but I don't think it would be a significant financial outlay beyond that. I know people here and on head-fi have a pretty high opinion of the M3, and think perhaps somewhat less of the Millett (I have heard it described as a "fun" amp especially with Grados). The real issue is that I don't have the oppertunity to compare the two before I do this, so I would definitely appreciate some comments from you guys before I proceed. The Millett has fairly nice components. Here is what the builder says: "tr…

I was wondering what you have been paying for your 6sn7w's. I saw a pair of metal base 6sn7w's that went for $459 on ebay, and another pair, again on ebay, for almost $500 .... both buy it now. I am trying to get a current market value of these tubes. I know tkam uses them, but anyone who buys these tubes or has any input, please post .... your input is welcome.

Well, I've been tossing around the idea lately of getting a new amp and source. I plan on selling my DAC and putting the Millet on preamp duty for my future HT setup. Right now I'm really looking into the Headamp GS-1. I need an amp with 2 inputs and prefer preamp capability (but don't need it), and the GS-1 also has two 1/4th outputs with a line out. As for a source, I'm looking at the Cambridge Azur 650C from Audiocubes. Other than the GS-1, I'd be interested in a SLAM from Mikhail, or maybe something from the DIY garden (Dynamite?). I'll use my 0404 and possibly the 640C as sources, and would like to use the preamp feature to drive a T-Amp and my Paradigm Atoms. …

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

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

Well I finally got my Max Balanced yesterday , though now I have to wait till my balanced cables and my source burn in so I cant provide any comments on the sound yet. I do like crossfeed however. Alas, no pics either as my digital camera is travelling in Europe at the moment, but it will be back in a few weeks. I was wandering if theres any way to check if my system (Esoteric DV-60, then the Max) is in phase.

I've recently taken delivery of an MPX3 SE, which is to say that the voltage has been raised to take advantage of the more powerful output tubes, namely the 6BL7GT/As, 6BX7GTs, the 5687sw and the like. If you've got a low impedence and/or low sensitivity can (K701, Grado, etc..) then you definitely need to take this into consideration if you're getting a Singlepower. And given that this is Headcase, I'd also like to mention that this is the second/third trnasformation my amp has taken on For me the SE deals with the increased voltage and current bias. I have 2 voltage settings on my amp, one which is 300V and one which is 375. For me it allows me to take full adva…

Okay, I've been debating streamlining a bit if not downright downsizing. I find that I don't use "multiple" amps and sources nearly enough to justify having them sitting around so I'm thinking about a move to get a single amp that can handle various needs. Right now, I'm using nothing but headphones but likely will be adding speakers somewhere down the road plus I'd like to try the K1000 sometime. With that in mind, should I part with my MPX3 slam and GCHA and just pick up something that's a bit more flexible? Say the SLI-80 Signature F-1? It seems to fit the bill and from what I've read it's a solid performer with no real weaknesses. So the question.....go for it or s…

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…

Don't get excited, this is not an in-depth comparison but I'm on my second day with my new SMv6 with the AD8620 and switches and thought I'd post some thoughts. Well my thoughts are pretty flat lined right now... I'm asking myself what I paid for The amp is a vast improvement over the previous SM3v3 and once again sounds great and drives my DT770-250 without a problem. It's slightly dry but still airy and detailed. I've yet to roll any of the included opamps and this is only about 25 hours of burn-in. One of my main reasons for replacing it was the Hornet seemed rather poor at driving my DT770-250 (songs with heavy bass had low end distortion at high volumes). I…

You guys are mean. You should also mention weather conditions. Yes, there was weather. No, I don't remember what it was. Here it is, for those of you even lazier than I.

OMG! OMG! I just got my "PimplePopper Super Micro Mini Xtrasmall" portable amp and my "Boil Buds" headphone buds. It's the best I have ever heard. It's even better than the Sony ear buds. I delivered a lot of newspapers to afford this. My mom says I should have put the money aside for colledge. I told her that I am only 28 years old and have plenty of time to save for that. Right now I am in heaven. After break in I will give a 150 page review on both items.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Romanee/small%20tube%20amps/audiokitsLunchboxLaconic_01.jpg

So I got one of them non-pro Stax adapters off of eBay, but I have pro headphones (with the higher charging voltage, or whatever it's called). Anyone know of a way to change the voltage, besides selling it off and buying the right one? I'm thinking it's just a transformer tap, but I'm also thinking that the tranny that's already in there probably won't deal, so I'm thinking I'm going to have to get a new transformer...which is alright, as I suspect I'm going to want to (a) ground the thing (it currently only has a two-prong power cord); and ( replace the speaker wires with something better. So what I'm saying is, I'm already going to be inside the thing mucking around. So…

So who's going to be the first to try this with their K1000's? Looks...flat. Looks like a stomp box, actually, but is said to run cool, so no need for heatsinks and such. New-ish technology -- "magnetic flux fluctuation" -- no tubes or transisters, but does have one opamp. Homely page

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

I'm going to be shipping a PINT amp to Romanee, as I wanted to give him the opportunity to hear it. If anyone else in the NYC area, who knows Romanee (i know a few of you do!) and haven't heard the PINT, let him know that I sent you, and hopefully, he'll be able to accomodate. Of course, if you don't want to hear it, then poo on you

Reports from Craig as follows: The Zana Duex: Yes I am making the ZanaDuex, it will be firm at $1800.00. Separate power chassis. The caps used are the paper, poly soy caps. You will not find them on line. They were made custom for Moth, in America. I have enough to make 12 Zana Duex's. The first proto will be hand wired from the input jacks to the front switch. The production amps will use relay switching at the rear panel. The tube compliment is one 6SL7 and two 6C33C-B's, and two 6DM4A damper diodes. Now onto the new EC-H:The EC-H does not sound as good as your ZanaDuex, but may offer an alternative for people not wanting to get a second mortgage to support this h…

Well, for whatever reason, I had gotten sick of the Par-Metals case I had housing my PPA v2 + STEPS. I had wanted to do something with wood, but could decide what. I had picked up some Zebrawood for another pair of woodied Grados, but was unhappy with working with it in round shapes. So I decided it had come time to use the wood for the PPA's new enclosure. Before: After: I'd have to say it came out better than I could have expected. Needless to say, it hasn't changed the amp's performance... it drives my HD650/Zu just as well as before. But it is a hell of a lot more fun to look at!

I was looking around and stumbled across this page, and read this: Which lead me here, and I eventually found the datasheet. Any idea about how it would compare to a 5687 etc?

So many pretty (or not so pretty but just BIG) boxes out now that it is hard to know what to get. I am contemplating a partial return to dynamics. What are the top ten hubbub-causing high-end dynamic amps?

I'm about to buy a pair of 6bx7gt's for my old skool toaster MPX3. First of all, will it's psu even be able to handle them? Second, what are some good ones? I'm probably gonna buy them matched from tubeworld.com, if there's a better dealer that takes paypal tell me! Would you recommend the "O" or "D" getter halo tubes? And what brands? They seem to recommend the GE branded amperex and RCA tubes, but then again they're selling them...