amp advice?

[audioguru1]

Well its been ages since I posted here. Posted some when I lived in the dorms... anyways..

I just moved to a place that has concrete floors... I thought great I can use my speakers without the people below worrying... unfortunately the walls are paper thin.

I haven't used headphones in forever, but it seems like im going to be using them more and more... It sucks cause my system is just where I love it...

anyway, Im looking for recommendations to go with my HD580. I like tubes but with my budget ($150 max) im not sure what I can afford... Willing to do diy but needs to have boards or something to work off of. Or something broken I can buy cheap and fix.

setups as follows.
losless mac _> soon to be trends audio 10.1 -> gw labs DSP-> m-audio superdac also have a musiland md-10

the speakers setup im super happy with and trying to sort of replicate.. smooth, slightly warm. precise and very clean sounding. Hopefully my HD580s will put me on this track?


thanks to everyone!!
-ken

 

[achristilaw]

Well Mr. Ken. Eddie Current's little Lunch Box II would be in your price range.

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well its been ages since I posted here. Posted some when I lived in the dorms... anyways.. I just moved to a place that has concrete floors... I thought great I can use my speakers without the people below worrying... unfortunately the walls are paper thin. I haven't used headphones in forever, but it seems like im going to be using them more and more... It sucks cause my system is just where I love it... anyway, Im looking for recommendations to go with my HD580. I like tubes but with my budget ($150 max) im not sure what I can afford... Willing to do diy but needs to have boards or something to work off of. Or something broken I can buy cheap and fix. setups as follows. losless mac _> soon to be trends audio 10.1 -> gw labs DSP-> m-audio superdac also have a musiland md-10 the speakers setup im super happy with and trying to sort of replicate.. smooth, slightly warm. precise and very clean sounding. Hopefully my HD580s will put me on this track? thanks to everyone!! -ken

It is still possible to get a brand new LDII++ tube amp. They are being phased out for a newer model, but they are excellent with HD-580s and there is quite a following here and tube rolling combinations have already been worked out for the last 2-3 years. Here is the ebay link for you to see: Little Dot 2 PLUS PLUS II++ Headphone Amp Amplifier! - (eBay item 190185822992 end time Jan-02-08 04:53:45 PST)
Shipping puts it over your max some though. Enjoy!!

 

[jona.p]

DV Figaro perhaps.

 

[audioguru1]

Im listening to the MD10... via the headphone out.. its actually pretty decent. I can imagine a real amp would be great!

At the risk of sonding ingorant, I cant seem to find any info about the Lunchbox amp... do you have a link?

I looked at the other two amps... they both look awesome, but are honestly out of my budget... I really have only 150 to spend with shipping and everything. Mabye I can snag one used.

 

[achristilaw]

Page 1 That should start you in the right direction.

 

[Godkin]

I second that call for the DV FIGARO. Great little amp for £75.

 

[audioguru1]

I took a look at the lunchbox. Looks awesome... but one again out of my budget. Guys I really really need to keep it at 150... maybe I should look at solid state stuff?

 

[jona.p]

Maybe you can save up another $50? I think at $200 is where it starts getting interesting.

I don't think I know many amps that sell for $150 including shipping.