2. amps-preamps
  3. 1058802705

Headphone Amp Question not a HD600/RS-1 debate

OK, I've done my homework (I think) but I value the advice of you experts that have been around the block a couple of times. I've been to the headphone sites. I've read more then my fair share of debates over the best headphones, etc..I have Sennheiser 590 (not 600/580's) and I'm quite happy with them overall. However my new system doesn't have a integrated headphone amp and now with my girlfriend moving in, I think this may become my most important piece of equipment. My system is as follows:

McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe (with HG Silver Lace 1m IC's)
Conrad Johnson PV10a (with the phono)
VPI HW19 Jr TT
Phillips CD/DVD player
DH Labs Q10 speaker cables
B&W 805 Nauts on Target 60 stands

Now, I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I'm assuming that the CJ tube with the SS amp (McCormack) also holds true for the headphones and what I need is a respectible SS amp. However, the 590's as everyone likes to point out are "bright" and my thinking was that a tube Headphone amp might tame this a bit. So, two questions.

1. Set up. I'm assuming I can hook the RCA's into my CJ (it has two sets of Mains and I'm assuming one is for the speaker amp and the other is for the headphone amp) Documentation doesn't say?? Someone please confirm or is there another way to set up a headphone amp.

2. Choices for a good match to my system and the Senn 590's
I'd like to keep the total cost way under $500.

- Looking at the Grado, Creek lines for SS
- Looking at ASL (antique sound labs) for Tubes
- Looking at early Marantz product(2265) double as tuner
(advice from the www.head-fi.com folks.).
- Lastly does anyone have any feed back on the Meta42 amp on these Headphone sites, they sound very interesting.

Sorry for the long write up. Please help!!!
whyt_rabbit

Showing 1 response by danlib1

danlib1
819 posts
 
I've owned a Grado RA-1, Headroom Max (Latest Version), Sugden Headmaster, Creek OBH-11, Gilmore V2, and Musical Fidelity X-Cans v2- All used to drive Sennheiser 600's with the Cardas Headphone Cable.

On the solid state side, I liked the Sugden best, but....

My advice is: Buy an X-Cans v2 from Kevin at Upscale Audio, and purchase the Private Reserve 6922 tubes at the same time- Total cost with shipping will be under $345.00. Later you can purchase a bigger power supply from Ault for about $19.00 with shipping if you wish. I'll be honest with you...of all my Headphone rigs, this is the combo I've enjoyed the most, and I'm as picky as most of us. I've found that there's just something right about this combo that makes it outperform everything else I've tried...an immediacy, warmth and delicacy that fit oh so well with the Sennheiser 600's.

Now having said this, we each have our preferences, but I think this combo would work quite well for you.

Experiment and enjoy!
More to discover