Headphone amps?

[Bravefart]

I see this forum has a whole section dedicated to headphones, I'll head over there!

 

[Somafunk]

iFi Zen Can. Superb headphone amp for not much money. Better than the Schiit Magni & Topping L30 imo (I've had all three).

TS

I forgot about the zen dac, an extremely decent bit of kit, I see they have a new version out ifi audio zen dac/amp 3

 

[adamdea]

Budget is as little as possible, without compromising SQ, I don't know how much headphones need in terms of amplification, is it as important as speakers and regular amp? So I guess realistically willing to spend up to £500, but rather spend around £250 if I can.
Ta.

If you just want a straight wire with gain for pocket change, get one of these

Atom Amp+ _ Shop JDS LABS

Conceived as the next-generation replacement to Objective2, Atom builds on more than a decade of amplifier design evolution at JDS Labs. Atom Amp+ tops the award winning Atom Amp with hand matched potentiometers and even higher performance, and comes fully loaded with a smooth 1/4" headphone...

jdslabs.com

 

[Somafunk]

If you just want a straight wire with gain for pocket change, get one of these

Atom Amp+ _ Shop JDS LABS

Conceived as the next-generation replacement to Objective2, Atom builds on more than a decade of amplifier design evolution at JDS Labs. Atom Amp+ tops the award winning Atom Amp with hand matched potentiometers and even higher performance, and comes fully loaded with a smooth 1/4" headphone...

jdslabs.com

If it’s good enough for Sean Olive I guess it’s good enough for us plebs

 

[Funk]

I have HD600s and use a Topping A90 - a very satisfactory combo.

 

[Bravefart]

Has anyone had both the Slee solo and the 'diamond' version, it's called diamond so it must be good right? That Slee's a cunning fellow, I have one of his phono stages he's called 'Gold', emmm

 

[chris geary]

I have the Creek headphone amp - cheap as dirt on ebay. I also have sennheiser HD600s

sounds good over all if a bit forward. just a bit more high end than my speakers. not sharp or annoying at all.

 

[krenzler]

HD600 are a bit more forward in the (upper) midrange compared to HD650.

 

[Salamander]

Keep your eye out for a 2nd hand NVA headphone amp.

 

[JTC]

If you're very lucky you might just about reach to a used SPL Phonitor mk1. An incredible headphone amp which will scale way beyond your current headphones should you upgrade. The Mk2, which I use, is also an incredibly good preamp, albeit definitely over budget, but if you just want to use it as a headamp the Mk1 is the one to go for. Plus it looks great IMHO....

SPL Phonitor

Mixing on headphones is undoubtedly convenient, but you can never be sure if your mixes will translate well to speakers. This high-quality headphone amp and processor aims to address that problem.

www.soundonsound.com

 

[ktish]

Used Burson Fun or Funk. Possibly even a Soloist if get lucky

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

My opinion is go valve.
I have both a Heed canamp and a Little Dot 3. The Heed is a lovely bit of kit and massively better than a Rega Ear that I had. For all that, it’s the LD that I listen to music using

 

[Bravefart]

I have HD600s and use a Topping A90 - a very satisfactory combo.

Leaning towards the A90D - as it has a remote!

Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping A90 Discrete balanced preamplifier and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $599. Announcement was supposed to be a few hours from now but one of the distributor already released it so here we go. As...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Bravefart]

Ended up going for the Slee Solo Ultra linear whatsit. Was swayed by the reviews mentioning how it wasn't harsh or strident.

 

[Somafunk]

140mw at 32ohms with 1% distortion?, 30mw at 600ohms?, an £80 Chinese made dongle would be my choice vs the vastly outdated/outclassed slee especially to suitably drive the HD650.

It’s not my money nor ears though, so as long it sounds good to your ears its a good choice for yourself

 

[lawrence001]

Sorry too late but if you don't get on with the GS I highly recommend the Rega Ear for much less money. I have the HD650s and 580s, I had both the GS Ultra Linear DE and early green light version. I personally preferred the sound of the Rega with the Sennies.

 

[Ibbots]

Leaning towards the A90D - as it has a remote!

Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping A90 Discrete balanced preamplifier and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $599. Announcement was supposed to be a few hours from now but one of the distributor already released it so here we go. As...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The remote is a bit poor ime, limited range and has to be pointed perpendicular to the face of the amp and even then it's a faff to change volume.

 

[MikeH1]

If you like the HD600, HD660 have you liked at the Massdrop alternatives (https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx). Made by Sennheiser Ireland and sold by Drop.com. Price saved on the headphones could give a better budget for the amp.
Graham Slee have good options there.

 

[lawrence001]

I think he's sorted now

 

[Barkiss]

I'll second that.

I haven't owned very many headphone amps, but I do know that my old NJC Reference worked really well with my HD650 headphones.

I'll third these two - a very nicely made piece of kit, too.