Best Amp for $200 or less...

[Snoodge]

The system will go:

Monkeys Lossless / CD Transport ---> AV-710 ---> AMP ---> HD280Pro

I have no preference for tube vs solid state @ this point, just wanted to know what im lookin at in that price range.

 

[Illah]

A used Perreaux SXH-1 or Gilmore Lite would be the best I've heard for that money. I'm sure a basic PPA would be nice as well.

--Illah

 

[Blahh]

but on there website the gilmore lite is like 299 bucks. and thats not including psu

 

[aeriyn]

Probably a maxed-out PIMETA or a very basic PPA (although I'd be tempted to go with the maxed-out pimeta with cerafines, opa627/637, stacked buffers, etc, because it would probably sound better than a PPA with a lot of corners cut).

 

[Smurf]

Norms amps (www.headsave.com) are supposed to sound as good as an OK PPA. This quote is from an e-mail he sent me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm In my opinion, a PPA with good parts and discrete buffer will outperform the Classic, but at 3 or 4 times the price, so it should.

I'd say the classic would be a good bet for you especially since it's not that large of an investment if you don't like it and it should work well with other headphones you buy in the future. Just make sure you e-mail Norm about your headphones and source and he should tell you what will work best.

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blahh but on there website the gilmore lite is like 299 bucks. and thats not including psu

It comes with a stock ps.

A used PPA is above 200, so forget that (ca. 250 + up). I second the headsave offerings, norm (aka tigger) is a great guy to deal with. A used superdual (if you can find one) maybe be something to consider as well.

My Q is, does the 280pro benefit greatly from good amplification? I'm being honest, not sarcastic. Cause if you really don't need one, you could use the money for a better soundcard or headphone.

 

[pbirkett]

I'll third the classic. Its a simple design that gets out of the way and does exactly what an amp should, amplify, and nothing more. I havent heard the PPA but to me it definitely sounded better than the likes of the Perreaux, X-Can v3 etc...

 

[1UP]

Fourth'ed - the Classic is just superb value for money - with different Op-Amp options to tune the sound to your tonal preferences and budget. Broadly speaking, the ADs are forward/bright and the Burr-Browns are richer/darker. As said many times before, Norm is also a great guy to deal with.

 

[dthiep]

fifth'ed. Although I dont have Classic, I do have Go-Vibe. Norm seems to be a guy that you can trust on.

 

[gpalmer]

I haven't heard the HeadSave gear so I can't compare it to the Gilmore Lite, but I've heard a lot of other gear over the time I've been involved in the hobby. I think that the Gilmore Lite would be a wonderful choice if you can get one used, I personally think it's one of the best of the price/performance values out there.

 

[ixeo]

if you can find it for under $200.. both the Gilmore Lite & Perreaux SXH1 would be great..hard to beat

 

[Sovkiller]

Of the ones I have tried the Perreaux SXH-1 if you can get it for that price of course, not sure right now....

 

[Earwax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia My Q is, does the 280pro benefit greatly from good amplification? I'm being honest, not sarcastic. Cause if you really don't need one, you could use the money for a better soundcard or headphone.

Yes, it does. An amp really helps bring out the low end of the 280. But, that said, it's not worth going into overkill territory for the 280. A nice Pimeta (or something else in that class) is a good match for it.