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Headphone amp advice

I am looking for a good headphone amp, probably tube. I will be using it mainly for recordings from my main vinyl rig. The Korg Mr-1, recently bought, makes these recordings much better than my earlier recording systems (PCM computer sound card, DAT, Revox A77), so headphone amps get interesting. I use Sennheiser 600 and Shure E3 headphones. This may change, but one point now is to drive the Senns to best effect.

I've been looking at several alternatives:
The Small-dot mk3, the Darkvoice SE, Lisa III. Haven't heard them, just from googling. Of these, possibly the Darkvoice gives the sound I am after.

However, these are non-portable designs, and I would like something more portable. In this area, the TTVJ hybrid portable, possibly the s-state Nuforce icon, are among the contenders.

Your advice is welcome.
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stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
The Creek, although solid state, is excellent. I use it with my 600s.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
A tube unit represents an excellent (and possibly the preferred) choice for headphone listening, but portability cannot be a factor. In fact, I'd go so far to say that portability shouldn't be a factor at all in selecting a really good headphone listening device; tube or ss. If you occasionally need a portable device, get one just for that purpose, and another one for 'at home' listening.

As with audio amplifiers, ss devices will drive any impedance cans, whereas the best tube devices perform optimally with either hi or lo impedance phones. I think ASL products represent an excellent value; but I suggest you check out the head-fi forums to expand your knowledge about the subject: http://www.head-fi.org/
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hens
173 posts
 
I recently picked up an Audio-Gd C-2C which I got information about on the head-fi site (good tip, Nsgarch). It is neither portable nor tube which means this post is of little use to you. Nevertheless, it sounds terrific with the AKG K-702s and at the price $335 plus delivery, has been a revelation for me.

I can highly recommend soliciting input from the Head-Fiers!
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o_holter OP
952 posts
 
Thanks, Nsgarch, I agree with your general view, it is more like, how many systems to care for, and in my case, some portability would mean more use.

But OK, I am considering a Darkvoice 336SE, which the seller suggested instead of the Little Dot mk3 that I inquired about (although it weighs the double of the LD3).

If I should be warned before setting out on the single ended tube road (or go to some other product type, like OTL), please tell me. Since the amp will mostly be used away from my analog rig, my source will be digital files (ripped from analog LPs). These are a bit hard even in the much-improved DSD format - Police’s “Humanize yourself” comes to mind.

So, to get the best tube sound, I am willing to forsake a few other things, but please not too much. And that is where it costs, I guess - my limit is around usd 500. Advice welcome!

Thanks Stanwal, for the Creek suggestion, and to Hens for Audio-Gd C-2C, which gets much attention at Headfi. These look like good semiportable designs and I might end up there. I agree Headfi is a good forum, but find it hard to search and get an overview of what goes on there.
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