Need help with tube amps? (Sort of given up on tubes, still looking for guidance)
Apr 21, 2012 at 11:59 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 40
PixelVandalism

PixelVandalism

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I am looking for a nice looking tube amp, that will run my K240's well, and can be used as a pre-amp. 
I don't really want to be spending more than $150, although I can go higher, $200 at most. 
If it has a DAC in it, that is a plus. 
 
I was looking at the little dot mkii, although it's power output isn't that high at 55 ohms. 
 
If there are some good solid state amps at the price point, that perform well, I would not limit myself to tubes. 
 
There is a Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1 for sale, on the Australian ebay, that will probably go for $150 - $175. 
It doesn't have the amazing tube looks though. Would it be worth it at that price? 
 
I was also thinking of the Xiangsheng tube hybrid H-80BIII, although I can't seem to find anywhere to buy them. 
 
I am willing to DIY. 
 
Apr 23, 2012 at 2:45 PM Post #3 of 40
Tubes are great for voltage, which is great for high Ohm headphones, like 150-Ohm to 600-Ohm.
I believe AKGs are more into current, which is solid state.
I do not think you have to spend a lot to get good sound out of the AKG K240.
 
The DAC Destroyer (USB/DAC) can go for as cheap as $50, off eBay,
They sell low cost ($50-$120) single tube headphone amplifier on eBay, ships from China.
A hybrid (tube & solid state) would be better then a pure tube.
 
Apr 24, 2012 at 1:49 AM Post #4 of 40
 
Quote:
purpleangel said:
Tubes are great for voltage, which is great for high Ohm headphones, like 150-Ohm to 600-Ohm.
I believe AKGs are more into current, which is solid state.
I do not think you have to spend a lot to get good sound out of the AKG K240.
 
The DAC Destroyer (USB/DAC) can go for as cheap as $50, off eBay,
They sell low cost ($50-$120) single tube headphone amplifier on eBay, ships from China.
A hybrid (tube & solid state) would be better then a pure tube.
Click to expand...

 
It's not just for the AKG's I am looking for a pre-amp as well. 
 
Would you mind giving me some suggestions, and links to some amps? 
 
Also, would the Little Dot MK2 provide enough power, if I used a resistor? 
 
Apr 24, 2012 at 2:41 AM Post #5 of 40
 
Quote:
pixelvandalism said:
Quote:
purpleangel said:
Tubes are great for voltage, which is great for high Ohm headphones, like 150-Ohm to 600-Ohm.
I believe AKGs are more into current, which is solid state.
I do not think you have to spend a lot to get good sound out of the AKG K240.
The DAC Destroyer (USB/DAC) can go for as cheap as $50, off eBay,
They sell low cost ($50-$120) single tube headphone amplifier on eBay, ships from China.
A hybrid (tube & solid state) would be better then a pure tube.
Click to expand...

It's not just for the AKG's I am looking for a pre-amp as well. 
Would you mind giving me some suggestions, and links to some amps? 
Also, would the Little Dot MK2 provide enough power, if I used a resistor? 
Click to expand...

Some of the single tube headphone amplifiers sold on eBay are also pre-amps.
Do a search on eBay for "Indeed G3" and they do refer to them as hybrids.
The website Rockgrotto, in their headphone amplifier subsection, has some knowledgeable people on these amps.
I know very little about the Little Dot brand.
 
 
 
Apr 24, 2012 at 3:22 AM Post #6 of 40
I'm after a cheap(ish) tube headphone amp too. I have a Graham Slee Solo MkII but I can't help wondering how a tube amp would sound as an option. I don't want to spend too much, after all I might hate it!, but my curiosity has got the better of me.
 
I have been looking at the various Chinese brands (and I am visiting Hong Kong next month so could pick something up there) but I am not sure on what will give me the best introduction to tube amplification. The Earmax looks good but is out of my price range as a first amp.
 
All suggestions welcome.
 
Apr 24, 2012 at 6:16 AM Post #7 of 40
 
Quote:
revc said:
I'm after a cheap(ish) tube headphone amp too. I have a Graham Slee Solo MkII but I can't help wondering how a tube amp would sound as an option. I don't want to spend too much, after all I might hate it!, but my curiosity has got the better of me.
 
I have been looking at the various Chinese brands (and I am visiting Hong Kong next month so could pick something up there) but I am not sure on what will give me the best introduction to tube amplification. The Earmax looks good but is out of my price range as a first amp.
 
All suggestions welcome.
Click to expand...

 
I'm really hoping someone is going to post something about some super duper DIY amp that cost $199 delivered. :D 
I can only hope. 
It's a shame that the bottlehead crack is $279. 
 
Apr 24, 2012 at 8:06 AM Post #8 of 40
La Figaro 336SE then
 
 
Apr 25, 2012 at 5:15 AM Post #12 of 40
I understand but it's a bit surreal. The cheapest I can think of for the HD650 is the Bottlehead crack for 279 or so, but that's a kit.
 
 
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