Headphone amplifier?

[av98m 0]

None of the amps in the shops fit your budget unfortunately. The X-Cans are $600+, Creek ones are $500 and above, Spark/Cayin also above $500. I think mackie had a china headphone amp thats less than $300 but I cannot remember the name. You might want to check with him.

 

P.S. if you are looking at buying DIY amps, buyer beware applies. Search for information on the builder's previous projects, posts etc to determine if the builder even knows what he/she is doing. E.g. if the builder is in the habit of asking even the most fundamental questions while his project is in progress, stay away! This can save you much headache.

Edited June 15, 2005 by av98m

[Firefox 0]

That explains why there isn't many shops in Singapore that carry headphone amplifiers..... any of those that are good and for sale in shops?

 

i also read that the RA-1 from Grado(dunno about the clone version) are only design to drive headphones at 32ohms like the Grados so meaning if i have intention to buy the senn headphones over a 100ohms it wouldn't be compatible?

On the contary, the Grado RA-1 does have great synergy with high-impedance headphones like the Sennheiser HD600's. It also sounds good with other headphones like the Beyer's..

 

The normal version has more than enough gain to drive high impedance cans to ear-spliting volumes.. Trust me, if the normal version can't drive your cans to loud enough volumes even if you crank it to 1 o'clock, you definitely need to:

 

a) Remove those earplugs you're wearing

 

See an ENT specialist

[Yon 0]

Let's say due to unfortunate situations, my budget has been forced to increase to "higher", what would be the best choice around a $1000.( Need to eat bread for another week or so)

 

i tested the Grado RA-1 at stereo when i bought my sr80, but funny enough the ok volume was somewhere 1 o'clock and i email grado and they reply that its normal....... anyway, it sounded good though.

 

So, which where what?

[Username 0]

I wonder if headroom products are available at Hung Brothers.

[Absolute0 0]

I wonder if headroom products are available at Hung Brothers.

No. AFAIK, Headroom products are exclusively available at the Headroom website.

[evil-zen 0]

Let's say due to unfortunate situations, my budget has been forced to increase to "higher", what would be the best choice around a $1000.( Need to eat bread for another week or so)

 

i tested the Grado RA-1 at stereo when i bought my sr80, but funny enough the ok volume was somewhere 1 o'clock and i email grado and they reply that its normal....... anyway, it sounded good though.

 

So, which where what?

Headroom has a new range of amps and dac. One which is very interesting is the micro amp with micro dac which is US$600 together which is approx S$1000. You only need a PCDP with digital out and great sound in the bedroom, on the move or beside a computer! The DAC supports USB and SPDIF digital in.

http://www.headphone.com/products/headphon...the-micro-line/

 

But I heard the waiting times are very long.

 

If you already have a good source in your bedroom then you may consider conventional amps. DIY ones would include clone RA1, PPA, M3, Gilmore Dynalo or Dynahi. The last 4 amps are the more popular ones in Headfi which will cost around S$1000.

 

For commercial amps, the others may offer better advice.

[Yon 0]

$1000 for DIY amp? i didn't they can cost so much.... always though DIY are cheaper options...... saw the audio technica AT-HP2002 at audiocube2 website for around sgd$1000++ wonder if they're good.... anyone?

[idkfa 0]

AT-HP2002? I might be wrong about this but I think I have not seen this model out yet. Care to give some links?

 

For SGD$1000 budget, I would recommend the cayin Ha-1 as a very versatile tube amp. Check it with the local guys on this little wonder. Costs only ard SGD$600. Has an impedenze switch behind in case you care about driving certain headphone. Up to 600omh i think.

 

Good luck!

[av98m 0]

I saw a very nice looking Spark integrated tube amp that drives headphones and speakers for about $900+ at the Adelphi. It looks much nicer than the Ha-1 and comes with a cage to protect the tubes as well. You should go take a walk around and try it.

 

DIY amps can be very cheap or expensive depending on the design and parts used. The well built ones can sound better than their mass-produced commercial counterparts.

[[J]-ohn 0]

to see audio technica amp go to www.audiocubes2.com and click headphone amp. but i don't think they fit yon's buget too...... should be over 1k in SGD....... and its AT-HA2002 not AT-HP2002.

Edited June 16, 2005 by [J]-ohn

[Mackie 0]

Look no further and check out Original Master amp. Ma6Jia got a few sets for some foumers here for about $250. Much had been said about this amp and kindly do a search in this forum for the relative threads.

[Northern Oak 0]

For SGD$1000 budget, I would recommend the cayin Ha-1 as a very versatile tube amp. Check it with the local guys on this little wonder. Costs only ard SGD$600. Has an impedenze switch behind in case you care about driving certain headphone. Up to 600omh i think.

 

Good luck!

Do note that tube-rolling may be necessary to bring the best out of the Cayin and that may add substantially to the overall costs.

[Yon 0]

Is there much different using a delicated hp amp and using say, integrated amp with hp out or yamaha receiver with hp out?

[Barradio 0]

For SGD$1000 slightly more gets the new version of Naim Headline HP amp.

[Username 0]

While we are on the topic, anyone tried the Creek OBH-21?