Just starting out, Looking for some Amp Advice for HD600

I've listened to one of these with my HD600s. Nice amp for the money, IMO.http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHPH25.2

This is my current amp, more money but a lot nicer amp, and has a built in DAC.http://www.musicdirect.com/product/74120

if you want to go the usual cheap route, get what I have in my sig.   the uDAC 2 is a big improvment over uDAC1. the little dot 1+ is very full bodied with the hd600 and I enjoy it very much. 130 for udac2 + 140 shipped ld1+ = 270 which is under your budget. try there first or if tubes scare you, try a matrix m-stage. there are many good options. best to hear your hd600 with solid state and tubes to see what you prefer before dropping lots on a ss or tube amp. I do recommend a decent dac! and a udac will work great for you just starting out. just get one and forget about your source and play with amps.

cheers, M

What's your source?

^ computer, which is why i recommended the udac as a start.

edit: or did you mean player? he mentions not having a dac

Didn't read carefully enough...

Ok, at $350, I'd say go with something like a Gamma1 DAC or GrubDAC, both very reasonably priced at under $100 usually.

Then spend $250 to snatch up a used PPAv2, Dynalo or similar DIY amp.

^ great suggestions as well, it is up to you ekimkcord. good luck!

edit: just so you know, just about anything you get will sound better than what you have right now as you start down the path of audiophile immersion. It is up to you to find out what you like and what your most happy with. Don't get caught up in FOTM (flavour of the month) features and stick to the tried and true. it will serve you well. i have stuck by my Thunderpants i made for a few months now because i found the sound i was looking for. My ears are different than yours, read and decipher at your own risk, but understand that it is up to your interpretation. Our hobby is highly subjective so take small steps and be willing to wait for your sound

M

A DAC is important since you're using a computer instead of a good CD Player. If you want the DAC and amp in the same box now, get the Matrix M-Stage, reviews seem positive. I've listened to the Maverick D1 also, sound is really airy and full-bodied at the lower frequency range thanks to the tube. It gave the Cambridge 740 CD Player a run for its money when I played them back to back, and that CDP is more than double the price, although the high freq extension does open up the HD600s.

At home though, I'm currently using a Marantz CD60 feeding a Little Dot MkII. My DAC-AH is still being repaired so I haven't listened to it with the HD600, but I loved this and the MkII on Grados and the K701.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel 

Didn't read carefully enough...

 

Ok, at $350, I'd say go with something like a Gamma1 DAC or GrubDAC, both very reasonably priced at under $100 usually.

 

Then spend $250 to snatch up a used PPAv2, Dynalo or similar DIY amp.

Ditto to this!  My work setup is a Gamma2 DAC to PPAv2 with FalleAngel's recommended opamps.  It is a very nice sounding setup that works well with other headphones, including IEM's