An affordable, good quality, small amp?

[dieselzaf]

I was wondering how much of a difference an affordable amp can change the sound of a low impodence headhone such as the HD595. People say you don't really need an amp with the HD5x5 series, but since I am liking the sound more, I want to even better it. I have a crappy sound card from my laptop. So I thought the headroom bithead is a nice choice, since I think there is an onboard soundcard on the the bithead which plays over the laptop. The thing is, is that it costs about the HD595 at about $150. It's a lot of money for the (marginal) improvement in sound.

I was wondering if there is another amp similar the bithead in features such as an onboard soundcard that can be usb powered at a cheaper price. I kinda don't know what I am talking about when it comes to the amplifier, maybe onboard sound card is the wrong term, haha, I don't know what it's called. Just seeing if it's worth to get the amp and what kind.

 

[manchau]

Zhaolu D2 is best buy for low impedance phones. It haves high quality DAC and built-in amplifier. Enough power to drive your HD595 IMO.

 

[ATAT]

Its called a DAC. I'm not sure if you can have one with a DAC for less than $150 (a decent one that is..) Just get a TBAAM (Turtle beach audio advantage micro, cheap $20 DAC), and a Good DIY amp. MINT, PINT, CMoy, PPAS .etc. Comission someone to build these for you.. they shouldn't be that much.

If you want to just avoid all htat, buy a TBAAM and a PA2V2.

 

[Meyvn]

another vote for the Zhaolu. at first I was worried about the headamp, but it sounds just fine now.

 

[dieselzaf]

Is the echo indigo a bad choice? I was just doing some research and ran into them. Is the amp even powerful enough? hmmm.

 

[Uncle Erik]

If you want an inexpensive amp, take a look at these:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=370681

The CoolerMaster Musketeer III is $50 and uses a 12AU7 for amplification. Yes, I have one, and I like it.

Is it a great amp? No. But, for the price, it really is a bargain. You'll get some amplification and tube sound, and I think it is money well spent.

 

[technetium]

well the Dared mp-5 is really nice cost a more than 150$ though

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...=154365&page=4

BTW, I think you should ask in the right forum... like the amp forum... just an idea though

 

[dieselzaf]

You are right, I will post my ?'s in the amp forum. Echo Indigo is really catching my eye though, it doesn't say how much wattage it pumps out.

 

[manchau]

BTW... Zhaolu haves much better DAC and AMP compare to any sound card IMO. You'll loose headshaking impact and bit of pleasure if planning to buy just sound card in $150. I heard nearly every companies card hyped for better amp and clearity but they can't match with a dedicated one.

Better to go for the price is
==>> AV710 ($35) ==>> Zhaolu D2 DA1852 ($109) + Shipping.