[John Aiello]

I am looking for a Solid State Headphone Amp with the following features:

Balanced Input and Balanced Headphone Output
Does not have a DAC
Has to be Solid State (don't want to mess with tubes)
Prefer Silver face (to match the rest of my components)

I really wanted to own a Questyle but in order to get balanced operation I need to buy two and then need to deal with two volume controls. Not my favorite plan. I know that there is one from Sim Audio Moon and the Auralic Taurus Mk. II which is where I currently lean. I'd love to buy a Cavelli but you can't buy a new one anywhere. What am I missing? The Pass Labs is single ended only. Bryson? Probably not better than the Auralic?

Looking for additional ideas. I certainly don't know every amp out there. What am I missing?

 

[bfreedma]

I am looking for a Solid State Headphone Amp with the following features:

Balanced Input and Balanced Headphone Output
Does not have a DAC
Has to be Solid State (don't want to mess with tubes)
Prefer Silver face (to match the rest of my components)

I really wanted to own a Questyle but in order to get balanced operation I need to buy two and then need to deal with two volume controls. Not my favorite plan. I know that there is one from Sim Audio Moon and the Auralic Taurus Mk. II which is where I currently lean. I'd love to buy a Cavelli but you can't buy a new one anywhere. What am I missing? The Pass Labs is single ended only. Bryson? Probably not better than the Auralic?

Looking for additional ideas. I certainly don't know every amp out there. What am I missing?

The Headamp GSX- mk2 ticks all those boxs. I'm sure there are others.

 

[John Aiello]

Cool!! I will check it out.

 

[Oklahoma]

There are a couple from Schiit that tick those requirements. Both Jotunheim and Ragnarok are all solid state and Mjolnir 2 can run as solid state with Schiit's tube replacements LISST; just drop them in and forget it, no hassle with tubes.

 

[John Aiello]

Thanks. Forgot about those. Will add them to the list.

 

[ChaseM]

Check out the Violectric V281. It's a great amp. It and the GSX-MK2 are my personal favorites in this category.

 

[blackrain139]

Try RA 2.0 by Venture Electronics

 

[John Aiello]

Not sure you read my requirements. This amp has no balanced in or out and is not silver in color. This looks like a nice portable amp at best. Did I miss something from the product page?

 

[blackrain139]

RA 2.0 balanced does have balanced in and outs. The only thing is that it is black in color though

I think you were looking at the Runabout 1.

Try this link:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/RA-2-0-Balanced/1924356_32779397211.html

 

[John Aiello]

Ah. I see it now. Thanks. I am strongly leaning to the Auralic Taurus Mk II at this point. I have yet to see anything that would turn my head.

 

[Pharmaboy]

The Violectric V281 is crazy/good (and it comes in silver). I have it. It's world-class IMO.

If you really don't want the preamp functionality, the next model down is the V281 (30-40% cheaper than V281, but still balanced in/out).

I also have the Liquid Carbon...just love the sound out of that. It has balanced in & out. Not as powerful or dynamic as the V281 (very little else is)--but it has a very engaging, slightly warm sound. It drives my power-hungry planar (ZMF Ori) with no difficulty, even on low gain. You can get a used one now or then for ~$650-$700. If you go used, try to get one from the 2nd offering (v2) or 3rd offering (same v2, just a little newer).

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I am looking for a Solid State Headphone Amp with the following features:

Balanced Input and Balanced Headphone Output
Does not have a DAC
Has to be Solid State (don't want to mess with tubes)
Prefer Silver face (to match the rest of my components)

I really wanted to own a Questyle but in order to get balanced operation I need to buy two and then need to deal with two volume controls. Not my favorite plan. I know that there is one from Sim Audio Moon and the Auralic Taurus Mk. II which is where I currently lean. I'd love to buy a Cavelli but you can't buy a new one anywhere. What am I missing? The Pass Labs is single ended only. Bryson? Probably not better than the Auralic?

Looking for additional ideas. I certainly don't know every amp out there. What am I missing?

Jotunheim can be ordered without the USB DAC nor phonostage.

 

[Hifi Boy]

Mass Kobo 394, 2nd best headphone amp I ever tried, only bested by Goldmund Telos HDA, in my humble opinion.

Powerful and very sweet-voiced, great soundstage with HE-1000. Has everything you requested.

 

[TGBerland]

Moon 430HA is fantastic, I got two of these - one at home and one at the office Highly recommended. You can get it both with or without DAC - I got the one with DAC (for both) since it is practical for the periods you are "in between DACs".

 

[John Aiello]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I have decided to go with the Auralic Taurus Mk II headphone amp. It checks all the boxes for me and while there are a few others I would like to own this is the one I have decided to go with. Thanks again.