Headphone Amp AND good Preamp


I searched the forums and found some threads on the subject, but they were either too old or not quite on point, so I thought I would ask.

I am selling my "big rig" and intend to live on headphones and powered monitors in my study. So I need a good headphone amp, preferably tubed (for either Senn 650 or AKG 701), that is also a good preamp for powered monitors.

I like classical (symphonic and chamber) jazz (acoustic and electric) and some pop rock, etc. (in that order). Dynamics are key, as is good frequency extension at both ends. So I am thinking transformer coupled, but can be convinced otherwise.

Candidates so far are the Cayin HA-1A, Musical Fidelity X-Can V8 (if it still exists), Woo WA2 (would prefer the WA6 but it has no outputs), Mapletree + HD.

It is difficult to read anything about the preamp capabilities of these devices, so help would be appreciated.

I would thoroughly welcome recommendations in the under $1,000 range (or slightly higher), and the reasons.

Thanks so much!!!

Rush
seldenr

Showing 1 response by mechans