Amp for MS-1/MS2i, HF-1 and Beyerdynamic DT770-80

[Omnivore]

I'm thinking of buying an amp to complement my future redbook player NAD C520BEE and my Micro Dac. My headphone inventory is comprised of low impedance cans: Alessandro MS-1, MS-2i, Beyerdynamic DT770-80 (don't have it just yet) and (if I ever get it

) the Grado HF-1. Thinking of buying either the RS-2 or RS-1 in the near future. So the question is what amp would complement this setup? My budget limit is about $400-450.

Some amps I've looked at that fit the budget:

CORDA HA-1 MkII
Grado RA1
Emmeline SR-71
Headroom Micro Amp
Musical Fidelity X-CANV3
Creek OBH-21SE/OBH-2

Any other suggestions and/or insight?

EDIT: I oughta know better than to write this stuff at 5AM.

 

[HiWire]

The Headsave Classic is another excellent amp to consider. You can purchase it used from other Head-Fiers.

 

[gpalmer]

HeadAmp Gilmore Lite
HeadAmp AE-1

 

[mrarroyo]

I have the AE-1 and it drives the RS-1 beutifully. I would also recomend a tube amp, like the Mapletree Ear Purist + HD. Good luck.

 

[Omnivore]

The Gilmore Lite is a bit pricey for European users who have to buy the Dedicated Power Supply - that's $499 plus shipping fees and taxes.

I'd buy used but didn't see any here... But the HeadAmp AE-1 looks good and the price is right.

I don't know about tubes: after I looked at Tube FAQs for Newbies my brain needed a vacation.

I'm such a noobie that I hardly know how to connect my stuff as it is.

EDIT: I've been looking for interconnects for the NAD, AE-1 (read good reviews and think I'm gonna grab me one of those) and Micro DAC and I'm a bit confused how to connect them. RCA cable to connect the CD-player and amp, coaxial to connect the DAC and CD-player, but what to use to connect the amp and DAC when HeadAmp.com says: While the amp does have two inputs (the RCA and the 3.5mm inputs), only one should be used at a time. The other jack(s) can then be used as a loop/tape output. Originally I was going to use my Cardas 6" mini to mini but now I'm lost.

And what's this loop/tape out thingy?

If I've totally misunderstood something about the ways to connect the gear (noobie+girl = bare with me

) please correct me.

 

[gpalmer]

No Problem, I think you'll find the AE-1 an excellent choice, it's quite good with my Grado HP-1s and PS-1s. Now, on to your hookup query. Normally a CD player takes a digital stream from the CD and uses an internal DAC to covert it into an analog signal which is output at the RCA connectors. The amplifier can only amplify an analog signal so when using the CD player by itself you hook to the RCA outputs. The outboard Headroom DAC replaces the functionality of the CD player's DAC, it takes a digital stream and transforms it into a analog signal. So you need to get a digital stream to the DAC which then outputs an analog stream to the amplifier. So, correct answer:

CD Player to DAC -> Coaxial cable
DAC to AE-1 -> 1/8" to 1/8" cable from line output of DAC to AE-1 (or 1/8" to RCA if you want, but there's no real difference in sound)

There should be no RCA connection directly from the CD Player to the amp since you aren't using it. Hope this helps!

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnivore but what to use to connect the amp and DAC when HeadAmp.com says: While the amp does have two inputs (the RCA and the 3.5mm inputs), only one should be used at a time. The other jack(s) can then be used as a loop/tape output. Originally I was going to use my Cardas 6" mini to mini but now I'm lost. And what's this loop/tape out thingy? If I've totally misunderstood something about the ways to connect the gear (noobie+girl = bare with me ) please correct me.

Only correction I have there is it's "bear with me," don't trust all the english around here...

All the loop/tape output does is pass on the signal that is being fed to your amplifier to another device, maybe a tape recorder or another amplifier. With Justin's design you hook up either the 1/8" or RCA jacks to the input source and the other one will pass along whatever is being fed to the amp. Hey, what the heck, it's essentially free!

 

[Omnivore]

Thank you so much for clearing that up!

Good thing I didn't buy any RCA cables then.

But I'll still need an adapter plug since I live in Finland...

I'm going to place an order for the AE-1 right away. By the end of this month I'll be glad if I have any money left. But it's only 3 months 'til Christmas and my graduation is in December. Maybe I'll get some money then.

 

[Omnivore]

I don't want to start a new thread so I'll ask this here: What kind of a coaxial cable I need for the Micro DAC and NAD? The cable would have to have a 1/8 plug since an RCA plug doesn't fit into the DACs input. But all I've found are coaxial cables with RCA plugs...

Somebody please help.

 

[Kameleon]

Sorry to butt in here - I'm in a similar situation, needing an amp for an HF-1 and a DT770-80, but I'd also like it to be portable. What're people's thoughts on how an SM3 would sound with these cans?

 

[mattigol]

I use the PPX3 (soon with SLAM upgrade to better compliment my current-hungry MS-2) which I recommend even in the basic version. Plus you get to tuberoll which is - believe the hype - great fun.

As for CDP->DAC connection I can truly recommend the BlueJeansCable.com offering. At ca 20 US$ DELIVERED to Europe it is a starter option that sounds very transparent, is well constructed (in a no-fuss sort of way) and delivers much more than its small price would suggest. At this stage in the signal chain I wouldn't want to have anything else but a no-nonsense cable like this. Highly recommended. At 70 US$ a bit more expensive but still a bugdet component in absolute terms is the Ack! Industries digital cable, which I haven't heard myself.

As to other cable options, have a look at my sig.

Matthias

 

[kdread]

What about asking someone to build you a PPA or M3, I think these are very good choices if you don't need it to be portable

 

[grawk]

Member USER NAME: makes a great amp for the 770s and grados, called the "Blueberry Audio Emotion+". I owned one, and it had GREAT synergy with the 770s. The most amazing natural sound came out of those cans with that amp.

 

[Omnivore]

I'm going to have to hold off the amp for a while since I've been buying too much stuff this month.

But I'll look into the suggested amps when the time comes.

I ordered a Supra Biline mini-RCA cable and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Hope it's good since it was a bit over my budget.

But after this I'm not going to buy anything else in a long time - except the amp of course.