the best DIY headphone amp

"Best" how? 

You should be aware that the question is ridiculous. If you want the best amp, go buy SP, Rudistor or RSA amp, they are around the most expensive. You ill be happy with, them. Why wouldn't you, you paid so much !

Now if you want what everyone has around here, and what is considered almost unanimously as the best DIY amp around here, go for a Beta 22. But, no offense to AMB, I'm not sure we should all go for the exact same amp, using the exact same parts (most of the time, glass jar kit).

Just build something you consider interesting (some pass labs stuff, tubes, hybrid, minimal gain, simplicity of the design or whatever you consider interesting). You will be happy with your build, it will sound damn good to you.

There are many awesome designers around here, you should take a look at their designs. Don't jump straight to the "I-need-to-have-this-amp-because-it-is-the-best. This is simply not how I think of DIY.

Simply my opinion, you are free to continue your quest for the "best" Diy amplifier.

Best is entirely subjective.  Best for stats, best for dynamics, best for senns, best for beyers, etc.  Do you want to know the best amp so that you can build it yourself or do you want to know the best amp so that you can name drop it without knowing what it sounds like?

The B22 is one of the best out there in terms of specs and design (Solid State).  The QRV08 is also incredible ( http://sjostromaudio.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=27 ).  As far as tubes go, you have the excellent Cavalli options or the various Millet evolutions (both primarily hybrid).  For all Tube amps, there's the L'espresivo, the various HeadWize amps, and plenty others (like the Aikido).  For stats, there are several amps that are highly recommended.  Look 'em up.

Asking for the "best" of something is very... well, ignorant.  There are plenty of amps for headphones that I didn't mention that are incredible (DIY portables) but you gotta dig around yourself.

I agree with the posts above...

What are you looking for?

A kit with all the parts that you just have to assemble?

A bare board where you are free to source your own parts?

A schematic that you can design your own board for?

Just ideas so you can design your own amp from scratch?

Something simple or something very complex?

What are your level of skills?

Answer some of these questions and we can start to help you...
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlo89 

hello,
I would like to know best headphone amplifier DIY

I think than there is better than the b22

 

thank you :)

...and I totally disagree with what you have just said. The M^3 is a great amp and you shouldn't think that it is impossible to use it with some kind of player just because you read some reviews about it. Try to think and experience by yourself, it is way more fun than letting the skylabs and others do it for you.

I've built the PPA v2, Beta22 and the Millet MOSFET MAX.  Each has it's own place as being the "best" since they were amps that I built and sound wonderful in their own price/design category.
 

My question was absolutely serious - how are you judging "best"?

What are you looking for:

1) budget

2) portable/transportable/stationary

3) tube/hybrid/solid-state

4) headphones used

5) your diy/building ability

Bringing this post back because i am now in this boat myself.

What are you looking for:

1) budget ( up to $400)

2) portable/transportable/stationary (will be sitting on my desk connected to my PC)

3) tube/hybrid/solid-state ( I want clear sound with nice bass, possibly a hybrid or solid)

4) headphones used (Sennheiser 650)

5) your diy/building ability (I have dabbled with soldering, have a vague understanding of currents)(currently going through tangents tutorials)(I Learn fast)

spydur - what is your source?  you mention "PC", do you have a good quality sound card or do you have a DAC?  If neither, strongly consider getting a decent source before getting a good quality amplifier.  If you have a good source, at $400 for HD650, I really liked the SOHA2, like A LOT.

Second on the SOHAII, but you could also look at the EHHA. I built a SOHAII with a GrubDAC specifically to use with a laptop source, and it all fits perfectly in a fairly compact Hammond enclosure. Fabulous with Grados as well, but outstanding with Senns, especially using 5963 tubes, IIRC.

Currently using an X-fi Fatality Pro, i am thinking of getting either the asus xonar essence ST or the HT | claro halo. i think i will eventually get a dac for music. right now i am using this for a gaming/music/movie watching setup.