Amp Recommendations Please

[GChow]

Hello,

I need some advice. I'm looking for an amp. I mostly want to use it at work with either the Chaintech 710 or a Sonica as the source driving the A900's.

I also want an amp that I can use portably on the rare occasion that I have to travel on a plane (like 1x or 2x a year). In that case, it might drive either some Senn 280's for my wife or possibly Shure E2's or E3's for myself. Source then would maybe be a laptop or pcdp....

So the amp should be capable of drawing power from batteries or an a/c adapter.

I'm thinking that all of those 'phones aren't that power-hungry, so I might be able to get away with something like a Total Bithead? I also saw JMT's "transportable" amp (meta42?) and that might be a possibility.

As for budget, cheaper is better (darn this site!) but I guess my budget is under $200...

Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[GChow]

Anyone?

 

[KenW]

Right now I'd say the SR-71 is the best bet but with Xin's Supermono due out in the next couple of months(speculating), that might be what you're looking for.

FWIW, I haven't heard the 71 but have owned and heard Ray's XP-7 and HR-2(my current unit) so if it's anything like it's siblings, it's sure to please and the quality of workmanship is fantastic.

Whoops....didn't see your budget was under $200. My bad but in case you want to save a bit and aim a bit higher.

 

[tyrion]

Checkout Headsave He has some nice amps with a small form factor that might be what you are looking for within your budget. Norm is a great guy to deal with.

 

[md01]

A900 will require a colored amp to really notice any sonic difference. I've used the superdual and it was really difficult to tell apart amped vs unamped. Just a thought.

 

[GChow]

Thanks so far!

I'll have to see if Norm can maybe customize a Headsave Classic to be used as a home and portable amp...hmmm...

A colored amp? Any examples?

 

[ampgalore]

Ask MisterX to build a custom Pimeta in a Lansing E metal case. He just built one for me, and let me tell you, it is the best $$$ I have ever spent.

It is twice the size of an SR-71, but sound quality wise, I highly doubt the SR-71 can surpass this custom Pimeta (I have owned the XP-7, HR-2, so I am well aware of Ray Sammuel's house sound).