Why?
I tried searching but there are just too many archived sale threads and people's current "rigs" setup for a proper search.
Also as far as I know, I don't think there is a way to search the for sale section either? It is tedious searching page by page with lots of people not closing their threads after selling and simply bumping with a SOLD.
What? am I amping
I've recently picked up a pair of Denon AH-D5000 Markl modded to MD-5000s and a pair of ATH-W100s from a really courteous Head-fi member. I am currently in possession of a pair of vintage AKG K240 Sextett Late Production and some HD555s that are on lend.
I am also going to try a pair of ATH-ESW9s in the future. I will probably be indulging in the availability of headphones in Japan and Japanese auction sites in the future.
That being said, I have never had a proper amplifier. I'd like to buy an amp suitable, and also even buy a second one for my girlfriend who I will inevitably give one of those headphones to her when she works in JPN.
Background
I built my own CMOY amplifier when I was trying to drive my Shure SE530s but because it was relatively low impedance the volume was way too loud to even turn up the amp a little. Basically I don't think I could really use my CMOY. I was going to try to reduce the gain because the left and right stereo was not loud at very minimal gains (nevertheless it's sitting in pieces somewhere in my luggage).
Previously I used a JVC-AX44, my dad's old stereo amplifier's headphone jack, to try out old vintage amplification. It's ok but I'm guessing it's nothing of real quality. I also am using a Denon AVR-3808CI's headphone jack connected to my computer through optical out to play lossless rips and it also gets input from records via a Technics SP1200MK2 turn table. Is the Denon receiver a good example of bad solid state headphone amps built in for convenience only in recent integrated receivers?
My Ideas?
The person who sold me the headphones suggested me to start with a good SS amp. I was looking for a Matrix M-Stage, and I found a Matrix M-stage HPA-1 on fleabay... Not too much on sale.
I wanted to pick up a Little Dot MKIII locally but the guy must have sold it or his phone is permanently MIA. Not sure where I can get a good deal on a MKIII, they are sold pretty fast on Head-fi sales.
The MKII and MKI can be gotten for significantly less.
I also see a Meier Corda HA-1, which i believe is one of the earliest budget headphone amps available. I'm not sure how that would work.
I really want some input given the headphones.
Music Taste?
I listen to pretty much everything
Rock: Japanese Rock (X-Japan, Seikima II), Rage Against the Machine, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd
Trance: Various
Classical: Chopin in particular, Violin pieces, Piano (Beethoven)
The gf likes some pop and classical.
Budget?
$200ish, willing to be flexible if it's reasonable but spent a little too much on the phones, now I'm selling and saving to make up.
