After many years, it's time to get back in the game.

[PaKiwiAl]

In the mid.90s while in the military one of my co workers got me into Audio equipment. I ended up buying some of his hand me downs which included what I thought at the time was a great Amp. Kenwood KA5100. I matched these to Kef speakers. His other equipment included the Nakamichi Dragon, the 1 bit Nakamichi CD player. I don't remember the Amp, a turn table that was slate and B and W speakers.
Well life happens and money that I spent went on family. Now as the kids have flown the nest I thought I would start building a set up in my office.
Currently being in the road I have an Astell and Kern Kann Max and several IEMs which include Shouer EJ07 and Hifi Man Re2000.
My next purchase is going to be the Meza 109, then I will look at a Headphone Amp.
What is a good starting Headphone Amp. I have been looking at the GSX Mini and used Luxman Headphone Amps.
Thoughts and comments appreciated.

 

[kjason427]

Schiit Audio may be a good starting point.

 

[dunring]

The Toping DX3Pro+ is great for earbuds with perfect channel matching. If you need more power and don't need a DAC the Sabaj A20h has digital volume control for $119 in Amazon. I use one, and it'll power the HE6SE in the balanced side, and ear buds on the single ended.

 

[HWB3]

Emotiva BasX A2m might be a good amp to look at. Schiit has some good headphone amps that are reasonably priced and well thought of.

 

[SmitherineBoss]

If you dont mind buying used, some stuff from JDS labs can get you really far for very cheap. As much as I like FiiO stuff, I have owned several including the K9 Pro, I just can't recommend them since it really does make the sound unnatural sounding at times. I'd rather recommend an element ii for around $150 over some of those products.

If you want to spend big boy money, you might want to look at used Burson conductor/soloist depending on if you need a dac. They have a ton of clean power and I appreciate that they don't do any BS marketting. There were some recent reddit and classified listings for those.

 

[PaKiwiAl]

If you dont mind buying used, some stuff from JDS labs can get you really far for very cheap. As much as I like FiiO stuff, I have owned several including the K9 Pro, I just can't recommend them since it really does make the sound unnatural sounding at times. I'd rather recommend an element ii for around $150 over some of those products.

If you want to spend big boy money, you might want to look at used Burson conductor/soloist depending on if you need a dac. They have a ton of clean power and I appreciate that they don't do any BS marketting. There were some recent reddit and classified listings for those.

No problem at all with use at all. I will take a look

 

[InvisibleInk]

If you want to start exploring the tube rabbit cave, I'd suggest the Schiit Lyr +. It can double as a good solid state amp as well tube hybrid.

 

[WorksUnit]

Gsx Mini Is quite revealing of source and dac. It keeps surprising me....
(Given that you are that side of the pond IMHO a no brainer for warranty too.)
You will need a balanced headphone out cable to get the best out of it.

 

[PaKiwiAl]

Gsx Mini Is quite revealing of source and dac. It keeps surprising me....
(Given that you are that side of the pond IMHO a no brainer for warranty too.)
You will need a balanced headphone out cable to get the best out of it.

So you are satisfied with it?
What DAC are you using?

 

[WorksUnit]

Ares2 new firmware for dac tonight.
Nice blend of transient speed, note weight, and resolution w/Focal Clear atm.