Amp recommendation?

Hey all!

Ok, first post, yadda yadda.  I've been lurking for a while but can't seem to find an answer to what I'm looking for.

Background:

Just getting into this audiophile stuff, but have been listening forever (seems like).  Finally broke down and bought my first set of decent cans - Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80ohm.  I'm looking for an amp (portable would be nice, but not necessary) that pairs up with these cans well.  My source is an 2008 iMac, so I'm thinking DAC is nice but out of my price range.  Most of my mp3's are either 256k encoded or better, some are FLAC, and others Apple Lossless....I've been picky about that part at least 

Ok, here's where the questions come in....the sales dude where I got the cans at was trying to sell me a mic tube preamp and telling me to use it as a headphone amp.  Does this make any sense at all?

I want something respectable for an amp, and since the Mac don't move, the amp doesnt have to either.  I do use it for some mastering of audio tracks in Logic Pro, and that has to sound good.  Generally though, the amp is just for playing tunes through while I do more lurking and learning...I would like to stay in the $100-150 price range, as it seems strange to me still to have more invested in the amp than the cans....maybe at a later date 

So, any suggestions on these questions?  The mic preamp as a headphone amp thing still doesnt make sense to me......

Thanks

H

Thanks hodgjy - never even seen those guys referenced before, I'll have to check them out.

I still have the question though about using a tube based microphone preamp as a headphone amp - anyone ever tried that?

H

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigzStudio 

I second Violectric, I am currently being blown away by the v181 as I type this.... and it is built like a freggin tank....has the feel of exceptional quality.  I also purchased mine from aphroditecu29.com

Amps look awesome, but out of my price range for now.  Looks like I might have to save up....

H
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman59 

 I would check the Violectric V100 and V200. They are very good. You can find them at www.aphroditecu29.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik 

Odd, I've never heard of a mic preamp being used for headphones.

Anyhow, you might want to look into a used receiver. You can find them from free to $50. Some do very well with headphones and one will give you a FM tuner and, often, the ability to use a turntable and add speakers. I think they're the best thing going.

Most people think it doesn't make sense to spend more on the amp than the headphones. However, if you do a little cost analysis, you'll see that headphones are simple, use few materials and don't require much labor to assemble. Amps have a significantly higher parts count, the parts cost more, and there's significant labor to assemble one, as anyone in the DIY Forum will tell you. It's counterintuitive, but the numbers are there. Old receivers are a steal because they're fully depreciated and most won't buy a two channel receiver these days.

I've never considered that (amount of electronics in amp vs headphones).  Very good point!  I've got a customer who wants to work out a trade for a Medion preamp, so maybe thats a start, then I'd just need a  decent DAC.

Also, thanks all for the tips on dac/amps....i've got experience with a soldering iron (I am a computer tech after all), and found plans for a cmoy amp...might just try to build one (sans dac obviously)....i was also eyeing the Headroom Total Bithead....there are just too many options!!! I'm still game for anything tho....its gotta be better than the headphone out off the iMac 

H