May 1, 200917 yr My mother in law wants headphone amp recommendations to incorporate into her speaker rig, and, having never had the opportunity to A/B different head amps (one of these days I must travel to a meet...), I'd like to hear what advice head-casers suggest I give her. Present Gear CD transport: Esoteric P-10 DAC: Esoteric D-10 Headphones: currently HD555s, but likely to upgrade to HD600s or HD650s. I'd like to keep things solid state because I visit frequently with a toddler (plus one more on the way), and her stereo rack is within his reach. I'm not a fan of her speaker rig's sound, but I suspect that's likely due to speaker placement more than anything else (speakers placed too close to the wall, which is 90% windows, with listening chair well back from the sweet spot - this is non-negotiable unfortunately, for esthetic reasons). It sounds both too cold/digital and not detailed enough to my ears, which have grown accustomed to my vinyl rig, but she and her husband quite like the sound. I suspect for that reason that she would prefer a more neutral amp, even though I would probably go for something that would colour the sound minutely towards the warm. I'm not sure what her head amp budget is, but I'll probably give her recommendations for two categories - under $500 and under $1000. I know people around here frequently like the Gilmore Lite, and I was thinking that would be a top contender, but I'd like to hear some other opinions. Your expertise is appreciated.
May 1, 200917 yr Headroom -- they have a nice variety of price points, so however much she cares to spend...there ya go.
May 1, 200917 yr MisterX for a CKKIII (~350 bucks) Headamp Gilmore Lite (400 bucks) Headamp GS-1 dunno 900 bucks? Maybe that TTVJ FET-A thing for ~700 bucks? I think that's pretty much what I'd look at for under 1k
May 1, 200917 yr I would vote Headamp GS-1 (Heard as the single ended output of my GS-X) or one of the Headroom Ultras (unheard, but well respected).
May 2, 200917 yr M3 with STEPS or YJPS YJPS tend to be lower current designs don't they, supplying half an amp max? AMB's S11 is probably a better bet.
May 2, 200917 yr Author Thanks guys, that's pretty much the short list I had, with a few additions. I noticed an M3 with S11 for sale on HF. I'll take a look at it.
May 2, 200917 yr YJPS tend to be lower current designs don't they, supplying half an amp max? AMB's S11 is probably a better bet. Yes.
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