[phaeton70]

The Auralic is really an excellent ampifier, I use it with full satisfaction with all my cans (see my sig).

 

[UntilThen]

Strange, I am going through the selection process myself. I've audition Ragnarok and Violectric v281 and am leaning towards the v281.

Audio Gd 9 was also suggested to me. I'm afraid that's in black and there's no way I can audition it.

 

[Swiftfalcon]

Fun to make lists. Here is mine

Audio gd master 9
AURALiC Taurus mk2
Bryston bha1
Headamp gsx mk2
Ifi pro ican
Simaudio MOON Neo 430HA
Schiit ragnarok
Violectric v281

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

ECP DSHA amp. Mine is the prototype version DSHA-0. The DSHA-3 and 4 is up for purchase at ECP. If you're looking for a stellar SS amp pair with HD800, I can easily recommend all these amps than liquid gold, gsx mk2

 

[carpler]

I resume this thread...
I'm looking for a good headphones amp with balanced output: I read many choices here, but non so much in my budget.
Nothing under 200€?

 

[Pharmaboy]

I resume this thread...
I'm looking for a good headphones amp with balanced output: I read many choices here, but non so much in my budget.
Nothing under 200€?

I hardly know everything that's out there. But it seems to me the best of the inexpensive balanced amps is the Massdrop/Cavalli LX (Massdrop licensed version of the Cavalli Liquid Carbon balanced SS amp).

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-alex-cavalli-liquid-carbon-x-amp/talk#discussions

There isn't a drop at the moment. If memory serves these dropped @$350 USD (or maybe a bit less). Obviously that's more than your budget, but if you look around, you might find a used one for $275 USD or so.

Full disclosure: I own the Liquid Carbon (v2) and admire it greatly. I love the ear-friendly sound, excellent bass, great soundstaging; it has plenty of power for all my headphones, including the power-hog ZMF Ori (planar). Beyond power, it just sounds good w/most of the headphones.

 

[streamline]

Schiit Mjolnir 1 has nothing but balanced outs. You can find them used for cheap, and remember they used to be Schiit's TOTL not so long ago. I got mine on close out from Schiit direct for $300 last week, with 5 year warranty.

 

[carpler]

I hardly know everything that's out there. But it seems to me the best of the inexpensive balanced amps is the Massdrop/Cavalli LX (Massdrop licensed version of the Cavalli Liquid Carbon balanced SS amp).

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-alex-cavalli-liquid-carbon-x-amp/talk#discussions

There isn't a drop at the moment. If memory serves these dropped @$350 USD (or maybe a bit less). Obviously that's more than your budget, but if you look around, you might find a used one for $275 USD or so.

Full disclosure: I own the Liquid Carbon (v2) and admire it greatly. I love the ear-friendly sound, excellent bass, great soundstaging; it has plenty of power for all my headphones, including the power-hog ZMF Ori (planar). Beyond power, it just sounds good w/most of the headphones.

Nobody knows if and when will be another massdrop for the Cavalli Liquid Carbon.
Looking around I found the Aune X7S at a reasonably price... What do you think about it?

Schiit Mjolnir 1 has nothing but balanced outs. You can find them used for cheap, and remember they used to be Schiit's TOTL not so long ago. I got mine on close out from Schiit direct for $300 last week, with 5 year warranty.

Thanks for this reply.
Sorry: can you tell me where you find the Mjolnir 1 at $300?
EDIT
Sorry: I see the closeout page on Schiit site... The Mjolnir is no more there...

 

[streamline]

Sorry: I see the closeout page on Schiit site... The Mjolnir is no more there...

Yeah at that price they will go pretty quick. The Mjo 1 should be arriving any date now; I'm excited to compare it against the built-in headamp of my classic Benchmark DAC1 Pre (it has "real" balanced outs). I love well-regarded vintage gear!

 

[Pharmaboy]

Nobody knows if and when will be another massdrop for the Cavalli Liquid Carbon.
Looking around I found the Aune X7S at a reasonably price... What do you think about it?

I remember reading about this one. Decided to pass because amps described as "flat" or "accurate" can trigger my treble aversion (strictly personal taste here). I tend to do better w/amps voiced to be slightly warm, full in lower mids, etc.

But that may not matter at all to you, or be relevant based on headphones you usually listen to...

Here's a good review: https://www.headfonia.com/review-aune-x7s-shooting-the-moon/

FYI, the review makes the point that this amp/preamp probably has the best sound when the preamp output is not engaged.

BTW, here's their review of another Massdrop/Cavalli amp people are giving some love to here. It actually is in your price range:
https://www.headfonia.com/review-cavalli-tube-hybrid/

There are 3 hrs left in the current drop: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-alex-cavalli-cth-tube-hybrid-amp