Are there any headphone amps that also work well with speakers? - Page 2

I sold the one in the pics for around $300.

Quote:

Originally Posted by project86 

???????

 

What does this have to do with the original question?

I don't quite understand this recommendation. I'm sure it is a nice amp, but the OP mentions a budget of $200, possibly as much as $300. The SQ-84 is over $1000 new - http://soundapproach.com/soundquestsq84v2integratedheadphoneampwremotevolum-p-1440.html And I have a hard time believing they drop under $300 used, or that they even appear on the used market very often at all (there are none on Audiogon right now, for example). 

 

No one liked my recommendation for the Crown?

I picked up a used set of speakers locally - "Monitor Audio Bronze B2" - and paid about $100 for them. They're designed to be used as studio monitors. A pretty compact and very well-sounding speaker. Look for something pretty effective, with a sensitivity rating around 100dB or higher if you want the little A1 to play them loud. With my wall-mounted monitors (One 6.5" unit and a 1" tweeter) I don't even have to crank the A1 to 50% volume to wake up the kids and piss off my wife. I LOVE that I only need one small amp on my desk to drive headphones and speakers. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by wicked.ludicrous 

I'm set on getting some speakers, but would love it if I could get some amps for them that could go with some headphones (Koss DJ 100, Grado, among other cheap ones). I honestly would not care if the amp isn't designed for a specific set or type of headphones. If the amp is just 'good' with headphones and speakers, that would be great

 

For under $200, are there any good headphone/speaker amps? If not, I guess I'd be willing to spend $300 if that's the case.

I mentioned the audioengine N-22 amp earlier; http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-N22.  They are very well made and provide 22 watts RMS with very little distortion.  These things really sound good when paired with the right speakers (the audio engine P4 are a good match but there are plenty of small bookshelf speakers that work well).  The one thing I wasn't as certain of in my earlier post is how good the headphone amp is.  I recently bought the Beyerdynamic DT 880 (250 ohm) cans and they sound great with the N-22 amp.  It works with cans from between 16 and 600 ohms.  This is a really good desktop A/B amp that simply does not get hot because it is upright with nice cooling vents. 

You will need powered speakers. Look for some pro audio monitor speakers with built-in amplifiers.

Also, look at pro audio headamps. Benchmark makes some good ones, but if you can find a used AKG HEARO 999 Audiosphere II like I have, then you have a headamp, wireless amp and headset, surround processors for headphones and home theater, high quality DAC, and ability to function as a preamp and drive the powered monitors. It will be less money than the Benchmark and overall more versatile.

I repeat, your best bets are in the pro audio line of components. They use headamps for preamps all the time, or preamps for headamps, whichever you prefer.

Yes, I have a Crown D-75a and Bryston 0.5B Combo that works well with my Senn HD 600's and Beyer DT 880's.

I use a vintage Marantz 2215 receiver with small speakers in a small room I use for a home office.  Also, what about the MingDa tube amp??  Looks like it has connections for speakers as well as a DAC