Best Amp for Grados

The LD1+ seems like the best amp for grados in that price range.

Save up a bit more and get a Millet Hybrid, used. Excellent sound quality, and lots of tube rolling choices.

 

HiFiman EF2 hybrid is within your price range & come with a DAC.

 

 

x2

LD1+ works brilliant with Grados.

I would stay clear of the LD II for Grado's though, I think it was designed with high impedance phones in mind. 

 

I don't know about being the best, but in that price range I'd say you couldn't go wrong with the LD I+.

 

 

 

 

The EF2 has a built in Dac inside (Burr brown PC2702) which is a very good Dac too. The LDI+ is amp only. I havent heard the EF2 so can't comment on how it actually sounds.

 

The LDI+ is a more versatile amp in regards to the different tubes and opamps you can fit to fine tune it to your tastes, or just have fun rolling! 

 

So it depends on if you want to use a seperate Dac with the LDI+ or get both with the EF2 in one purchase. In general, having seperate componants will always reduce micro levels of distortion, but at budget level an amp/dac combo is an ideal solution. I use one with one of my rigs and it has the same burr brown chip inside as the EF2 and it sounds great.  

I've actually found quite a pairing in my 125i's and the Maverick Audio A1.  I use the combo at work and it's pretty much the best the Grados have ever sounded for me.  I got the A1 with the upgrade 6AK5 Raytheon tubes for $250 shipped, I believe...

Glad to see a little love for the Grado 125i. I am listening to my old 125 right now, my first pair of good headphones. Even though I have a large assortment of Grados, all the way up to PS1 and PS1000, I equalize by selecting what Grados to use. The recording I am listening to now -- McCoy Tyner's New York Reunion on Chesky -- has a lot bass, too much for some of the Grados, but sounds terrific with my 125. So far, my PS-1 sounds the best for the most recordings, but the 125 has a secure place in my line up because it works for several bass-heavy jazz albums I have. Sorry for the off topic post, but just wanted to emphasize that 125 are a headphone worth finding a good set up for.

(I like the Millett Hybrid -- it has natural tones and enviable PRAT.)

Look at Ibasso, they have a few amps in that price range that will fit the bill

Grado's are pretty easy to amp so you have a lot of choices.  You can also use the fiio e7/11/17 and 9

Audio-gd Sparrow "B" version with USB, 96K, DIR9001 module, & AD1852 chip: $160

 

Without USB is $140.

 

Don't like the "A" version at all which is out of your price range...

 

Be sure to be very specific about the modules and chip.  The Sparrows can sound THAT different.

Nothing in that price range is going to be worth the money over what you have now. If it was me I would probably upgrade my headphone before spending more money on an amp. Just my opinion

 

A $300-$500 amp will improve your Grado's nicely, but that makes no sense whatsoever