I've been deliberating over a number of amps over the past few months. The ones that have caught my interest have been (in no particular order):

1) MG Head OTL
2) AudioValve RKV mkII
3) Meier Prehead or Corda HA-2
4) Gilmore V2se

If you noticed, two are tube amps while the other two are solid states. While some may yell at me for comparing tube and solid-state amps alongside each other, I think these deserve to be compared. First off, I would say that I'm looking for an amp that fulfills the following criterion (or at least of them):

*Note: The amp will replace my Meta42. All the other gear in my signature will stay the same.

1) Has a decently large headstage/soundstage
2) Has decent amount of clarity and detail
3) Is musical, but doesn't sacrifice too much detail
4) Will rid my HD600's of that veil...
5) Is non-fatiguing.

Now that you know what I am looking for, I will state why I have named the amps listed above. Reasons go as follows:

1) MG Head OTL: This amp is relatively cheap and has great potential for tube rolling. I have heard that his amp has the power to drive the HD600's and still sound relatively effortless. The musicality is supposed to improve with upgraded tubes.

2) AudioValve RKV mkII: This amp has been reviewed as one of the most musical amps on the market. While it may lack some detail that solid-states have, it's soundstage is supposed to be quite large. However, I have heard some bad things about a hum.

3) Meier Prehead or Corda HA-2: These two amps go hand in hand because their sound is quite similar. I have chosen these two amps because they fit my budget and supposedly provide a nice sound out of the HD600's. The cross-feed really caught my eye because I'm a soundstage nut.

4) Gilmore V2se: This amp came to mind because everyone seems to have it. While it's always a bad idea to rely on hype, I couldn't resist throwing this is. It's supposed to be up there with the Meier Cordas. However, some say that it sounds better with the CD3000's.

Anyways, I will soon be able to buy any of the amps listed above. And, so that I don't make a larger hole in my wallet, I hope to never have to upgrade my amp ever again. Thus, I'm looking for an amp that will deliver the greatest satisfaction, with cost, more or less, being an afterthought (ok, I'd like to keep the price under $800 if at all possible).

scratch mg head from that list. it just doesn't belong there with the other 3.

Hmm, since the MG Head is out of the running, perhaps I'll add the following to my previous list.

1) Emmeline HR-2
2) Berning MicroZOTL

I'd say the Prehead. It'll do everything there that you've listed. It's a wonderful sound.

Why do you think that the veil is an amplification problem? Are you prepared to find that it might not be?

NGF

I would strongly suggest that you do some searching and read the many reviews on these amps. Another suggestion is to go even further back and read what these same people have to say about the META that you have. Listen to what is said about strengths and weaknesses of your amp. Then compare what they said to what you hear. By doing this you are able to find people that hear things in a similar fashion to you. It makes the reviews you read about any new amp a lot more meaningful. For me two reviewers that I have found that have an ear similar to mine are markl and Tuberoller.

What ever you decide it is a fair amount of money and you want to choose based on informed opinions not hype.

Good Luck in your search.

Based on limited listening, I'd throw the MG Head OTL back on the list. An amp doesn't have to be expensive to sound great with HD-600, and MG-Head is at its best with that Headphone. Also worth adding is Singlepower MPX3. Very clean sound with good dynamics.

My $.02:

If your talking about a headphone only amp exclusively for HD600's, the MG Head is very hard to beat. My MG Head OTL was simply magic with these cans, and you would have a lot of money left over for new music, fine wine, etc. However, if your also talking about your last amp to buy, you'll need to look elsewhere for something that will drive a variety of cans.

I settled on a Fisher 400-X to do everything I need (headphones, speakers, CD, phono, tuner). No regrets.

I would add a Melos SHA Gold to the list as well.

-d

I can only tell you about the MG Head because I had almost the same setup as you, difference being HD580 with stock cable. The combo is absolutely magical, gives you a very good tube sound for the price. However, it takes NOS tubes to bring the best out of the amp just like most tube amps. I had problem with MG Head sounding congested during complex passages. I love the extension from note to note. It lacks a little detail but doesn't not become a problem until you compare it with a higher end SS amp, so you might not notice it with your meta. High end rolls off a little bit, while bass lacks texture. Note that all of these are compared to the Gilmore V2 I got, which is a very neutral detail oriented amp. Having said all that, MG Head is a very very musical amp and I think it fits your description. Price isn't a good measure of quality. So consider this, if you get one new + decent NOS tubes, it will put you in about the same league as the Gilmore. As you can see, Head is not that much outclassed. Plus that's actually an advantage. If it turns out that it's not your cup of tea, you can sell it at almost no loss if you get one used.

I would strongly suggest that you try to audition as many amp as you can to first find out what you like. I recently conducted a very expensive experiment just to find out that I like tube sound more. But given your location, access to these things might be a little tough. Good luck.

My experience is with Grado RS-1 and Alessandro Music Series Pro, but I will throw out another rec for the Prehead. Beyers and Senns mate very well with the Prehead, and considering how amazing it makes the Grados and Alessandros sound, it's an extremely versatile amp and will no doubt give great results with the HD600s. I hated the Gilmore V2, and I love the Prehead, but that's with the Grados. I can say the Prehead fill your criteria except for whether or not they'll rid of the HD600 veil because I don't have experience with them. The Prehead is a fantastic choice.

Quote:




I would say the RKV meets most of your requirements very nicely, and to my eyes, is a drop-dead gorgeous piece of gear. The only requirement it fails to meet is #4, and that's only because it's an impossible task.

mg head otl + hd600 was my first major disappointment in `high-end` audio. it may be an acceptable amp for someone who doesn't mind ignoring its numerous weaknesses or simply isn't exigent enough for whatever reason. however, it certainly does not qualify as the last amp one ever needs to buy.

in my opinion, same goes for the phones in question as well, but they were not the topic of this thread.

Grace 901. The most versatile amp there is and one of the very best.

Quote:



Well for the person who isn't the exigent type and isn't as swept up into the whole audiophile thing they might just find this amp to be their last. Everybody has their own sonic priorities. I know a lot of music lovers who would be blown away by the MG Head and wouldn't imagine ever wanting to or need to explore another amp. Of course they aren't people hanging around here, and thank god for that as they would be persuaded to the idea that this amp should not be their last.