Headphone amp options - advice?
Hi
newbie
long time listener, first time, ohyouknow.
I am contemplating putting together a no-holds-barred headphone rig. Front end by dCS - built-in preamp function. Nice headphones - got Grados, actively seeking Senns.
So my off-the-wall idea is this:
Do I need to use a dedicated headphone amp, or could I push a low-power class-A SS stereo amp into service? My first choice would be a Pass Labs XA30.5. However one of the FirstWatt offerings might be a better fit.
I would demand transparency, detail and coherency (tonal, temporal, harmonic) from the entire assembly.
Would these outperform a dedicated headphone drive like a Blockhead or the new Balanced max? even an Eddie Current offering, which appears to be "scarcer'n hen's teeth" in the used market?
No like tubes much. Can be convinced though IF tubes will uniformly ace the above requirements.
cheers wet weasel
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