Best Preamp w/ Headphone Jack

I forgot to mention that I have a pair of Manley 300B Retros mated with Concident Super Eclipses -- don't think solid state preamps will jive with my system. THANKS.

Sonic Frontiers Line 2 preamp, avialable here and elsewhere for under $2K, has a great headphone preamp made by HeadRoom I believe.

Melos SHA-1 Gold, killer preamp, killer headphone amp, and available at good prices since Melos bit the dust. Easily servicable tho...

I will mention the Anthem pre2L although probably not in the same league as the others listed. With a headphone jack, and remote, solid build, and some good reviews it probably is the best bang for the buck.

Rogue 99

Sonic Frontiers Line 2SE's headphone amp by Headroom is great with Sennheiser HD-600s, a match made in heaven.

.......agree with Sonic Frontiers-- either Line 1 or Line 2. I have both-- they are excellent pre-amps and the headphone section of both are great. I use them with Senn. 600s also.

BTW, the Line 1 and 2 sound an awful lot alike with the Line 2 having a bit more smoothness and naturalness, but the differences are not great. The Line 1 can be had for $1000. to $1200., and the Line 2 for $1500. to 1800. Cheers. Craig

Check out an Audible Illusions L-1. Great line stage pre-amp based on the Modulus 3A tube hybrid circuitry. Has an excellent headphone stage.

Melos, is excellent. Best headphone amp I ever heard (or had). I now have a Rogue 99, all around a better preamp, but very inefficient with phones (have to turn the volume to 8 or 9 to get moderate sound), and the jack is inconveniently placed in the back of the unit. But it is a killer preamp otherwise.

i'd have to side w/the melos sha-gold/maestro folks. killer linestage, killer headfone amp, awailable used for ~$1k... oh yeah, remote wolume/balance control, too...

doug s.

Try passive: http://www.donmorrisonaudio.com/MORRISON/amps.htm

I wish I was in a position to jump on one, but there is a Melos here for 700, and one on eBay currently at 400.