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Help a Novice Pick His First Amp

post #1 of 14
8/24/11 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 

 

Greetings Head-Fi populace. I am currently in the market for a headphone amp for $200 or less. I am currently using a pair of ATH Pro700MKII headphones as my primary set, but I am planing on moving up the upgrade ladder in the near future. My biggest problem is that I am strapped for cash and there is no end in sight on that front. I can be persuaded to go over budget if the reasoning is sound and the product attractive, but I am extremely reluctant to do so. For reference, I listen to mostly electronic music (dubstep, house, drum and bass, trance  and so forth) with the occasional prog rock and hip-hop thrown in for giggles.

 

Thanks in advance,

Jake Z.

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post #2 of 14
8/24/11 at 9:14pm

Lots of low cost ($50) single tube headphone amplifiers sold on eBay, shipped from China.

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post #3 of 14
8/24/11 at 9:24pm

Heya,

 

Fiio E9.

 

Cheap, powerful, will run any dynamic you get pretty much. Like $100 shipped on Amazon.

 

Very best,

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post #4 of 14
8/24/11 at 9:37pm

Little dot stuff. 

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post #5 of 14
8/24/11 at 11:11pm

I've found the HiFiMan EF2A to be a decent enough amp with a built in DAC.  Little Dot seems to be a forum favorite for starters, and has quite a few tube rolling threads last time I checked.  Another good choice would be the Fiio e7/e9 combo. 

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post #6 of 14
8/25/11 at 10:27am

FiiO E9 for just the amp, throw in the E7 if you need a DAC. This combo should be less than $200 and seems to be very popular on these forums (and if MalVeauX recommends it, you know it has merit). Schiit's Asgard can be had, used, for ~$200 and is also one of the top performers in the price bracket, up there with the Matrix M-Stage. Those are my three recommendations for SS, no experience with tubes so I'll let other users handle that.

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post #7 of 14
8/25/11 at 10:36am

I would give the O2 (Objective 2) a look - built it's about $150. It doesn't have the output impedance problems of the E9, nor is it a monstrously hot single ended distortion-laden (by the standards of solid state equipment) Asgard. And it's cheaper than the M-Stage (and probably performs better too).

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post #8 of 14
8/25/11 at 4:34pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks guys! I have been looking at the EF2A for a bit, and it seems like exactly what I need. However, if at a later point in time I decide to replace the stock tubes, where would I obtain said tubes? Also, what are the tradeoffs of solid state and tube amps at this price point?

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post #9 of 14
8/25/11 at 5:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willakan View Post

I would give the O2 (Objective 2) a look - built it's about $150. It doesn't have the output impedance problems of the E9, nor is it a monstrously hot single ended distortion-laden (by the standards of solid state equipment) Asgard. And it's cheaper than the M-Stage (and probably performs better too).



Hmmm... I've done a bit of research on the O2, it has really piqued my interest. Do you have any experience with it?

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post #10 of 14
8/26/11 at 12:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZimMeisterFlash View Post

Thanks guys! I have been looking at the EF2A for a bit, and it seems like exactly what I need. However, if at a later point in time I decide to replace the stock tubes, where would I obtain said tubes? Also, what are the tradeoffs of solid state and tube amps at this price point?



Ebay has a great selection of tubes. 6a5k is the tube family I believe.  Biggest trade off is that fact that tube amps can be a hit or miss at this price range, but I am happy with my EF2A.

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post #11 of 14
8/26/11 at 2:00am

Read first http://www.head-fi.org/products/hifiman-ef2a-usb-headphone-amplifier/reviews

 

I haven't heard it - just think you should be aware.

 

I do have the E7/E9 combo - and it is a very good entry level set-up.

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post #12 of 14
8/26/11 at 3:59am


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZimMeisterFlash View Post

Hmmm... I've done a bit of research on the O2, it has really piqued my interest. Do you have any experience with it?


I tend to recommend stuff based wholly on the numbers, I'm afraid. Based on those numbers, I will be grabbing one myself (first major board group buy not even complete yet)

 

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post #13 of 14
8/26/11 at 11:29am

Either the EF2A or the e7/9 Combo is a good start.  Headphoneaddict ran a fantastic review for the EF2A.  

-http://www.head-fi.org/t/433150/review-head-direct-com-hifiman-ef2-tube-hybrid-amp-with-usb-dac

 

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post #14 of 14
8/27/11 at 2:42pm
Thread Starter 

Thank's everyone for the advice, I have decided to put my money with the O2 based on the numbers and the fact that it is portable. My only problem now is that I must decide whether to have someone else build it or to undertake my first major DYI project.

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