Any Decent Desktop Amps/Kits about $100?

[willsheffler]

I'm looking to get a desktop amp or kit for about $100 or so. Used is cool. I have a go-vibe 5 that I'm pretty happy with, but I'm assuming I should be able to get better sound out of a comparably priced desktop amp vs. a portable (yes?). My source in PC/powerbook via number cruncher 203.2. Phones are ety er4p/s and soon a nice set of higher impedance full-size phones, TBD.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
-Will

 

[Uncle Erik]

Will-

Unfortunately, I don't know of any kits in that range.

However, you can pull together a nice DIY amp for about that much.

First up, the Dynalo. Look here:

http://www.djgardner.com/headphone/gilmore/

Dan is a Head-Fi'er and an upstanding guy. He'll sell you a great PCB for $10 and I think the total cost of stuffing is $70 or so. It was the first headphone amp I built and it's excellent. Dan also has a comprehensive build guide there and there's plenty of advice here and at HeadWize.

Second, take a look at the SOHA here:

http://headwize.com/projects/cavalli2_prj.php

You can piece one of these together for about $50. I haven't built one (yet) but they're awfully popular.

If you have trouble finding parts, need advice, etc., post in the DIY forum here. There are lots of helpful people there.