Pros: Vocal close to being intimate. Adapts to the song easily. Balanced and bass happy though not too happy to overwhelm in any way. EQ helps. Cons: Not very open, not such a big soundstage, highs could have been a bit better. Not for treble lovers. Departure from Grado sound. Intro: I got...

I'm looking for a solid state headphone amp/preamp under $250 as I'm moving away from tubes (336SE).   What options are out there under $250?   The priority will be the preamp performance over the headphone amp but would also like the headphone amp to perform good as well.

As I am writing this post, the Bakoon HPA-01 I recently acquired is sitting on such a low volume that I'm hearing some channel imbalance yet still too loud, and I am left wondering what is left for us high-end dynamic headphone owners. More specifically those of us with low ohm/high efficiency...

Hi everyone! I'd like to upgrade my amplifier for my HD800s (I also use Amperiors sometimes), I currently own an Objective 2. I'd like to buy one that synergizes best with HD800s, without destroying soundstage, detail and transparency, smoothing them a little. What do you think would be better...

Hi,   I've just purchased the Matrix M-Stage Amp (with the DAC, although I am going to use the X-Sabre or Yulong DA8 DAC later on) and only know thought that it might be a good idea whether it is even a step up from the PICO? (Using Senn's HD800) Thanks in advance! (:

Hi guys Just saw that a new m stage hpa2 has been released. Anyone has any opinions on them? 8th January 2014: Received my order of my matrix mstage hpa2 (the non usb version). Order was placed on 17th December 2013 and arrived today 8th January 2014 (Australia). I received the mstage box...

Hi All, So I've bought myself a matrix m-stage hpa-2 USB. My plan was to run my laptop (mediamonkey, flac) USB out to the m-stage to my about to arrive he-500s.... By all accounts a swim in the shallow end of the audiophile sea. I'm a little confused about whether I need a DAC? Matrix do a...