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First time amp buyer; which of these would be best?

post #1 of 3
11/22/11 at 1:51pm
Thread Starter 

I have Ultrasone Pro 900 headphones (40 ohm impedance) and am going to buy an amp because I want:

 

  • more overall volume
  • better / stronger / more impactful bass (very important)
  • better overall sound quality
  • a good looking amplifier that fits nicely on my desktop
  • to spend less than $300 (looking for good value)

 

 

I have been considering the following amps:

 

 

Hi-Fi Man EF2A Tube USB DAC Headphone Amp - $169

 

hi-fi-man-ef2a-tube-usb-dac-headphone-amp.jpg

 

 

 

Little Dot MK III Headphone Tube Amplifier - $244

 

littledot1.jpg

 

 

 

Q-2 Tube Amplifier - $99

 

Qinpu%20Q2%20Amp_enl.jpg

 

 

 

FiiO E7 and E9 combo - $180

 

1000x500px-e1b4160b_e7e9.jpg

 

 

Considering these amps, their prices, and my headphones (Ultrasone Pro 900), which do you think is the best?  I don't want to spend too much money, but I also don't want an amp that won't considerably increase the sound quality.  I don't have a DAC, and I'm currently listening through on-board sound on my desktop PC.  I think I'll be happy with either tube or solid state amps although I like the look of some of the tube amps.  I listen mostly to metal and bass heavy electronic music.  I'm totally new to amps and have no technical understanding of them, so I would highly appreciate any advice.  Thanks!

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post #2 of 3
11/22/11 at 2:04pm
Hey, I'm sort of in the same situation as you, or at least I was a month or two ago. I have the PRO2900s and was looking for an amp, mainly for metal.
Electronica and metal are usually better on solid state amps, I would say always but I'm sure someone would come along and prove me wrong with some obscure amp, it is generally true though.

You do not want the Little Dot or the Quinpu, they are made for higher impedance headphones and will not provide much current to the Sones, I've heard good things about the Fiio combo and the EF2 with the PRO 900s, but I don't know the details on the amps. Also I would add the Little Dot I to the list, its a tube amp, but designed around lower impedance phones. Generally hybrid amps like the LD I and EF2 will be more suited for lower impedance versus pure tube amps.

Seeing as your running off onboard sound, you may want to go for the E7/E9 combo, on board is really not the way to go for a DAC and you may be unimpressed with the sound no matter what amp you choose.

I still haven't bought an amp myself, but I'm planning to soon. I'm going with an Audio GD unit, you should check them out, they have some good DAC/AMP combos like the FUN and NFB12.

Good luck, and sorry about your wallet wink.gif
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post #3 of 3
11/22/11 at 3:39pm
Thread Starter 

Haha.  I'm leaning toward the FiiO E7 / E9 combo for the price and because the E7 can be used when I'm away from my desktop computer.  Thanks a lot for your input! 

 

Edit:  I went ahead and bought the E7 / E9 combo on eBay for $180 new from an authorized dealer after submitting a best offer.


Edited by WompaStompa11 - 11/23/11 at 10:14pm
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