[TLDRonin]

Whats the best tube amp/pre amp I can get for around $150 or under? I want to get a little taste of the tube sound and tube rolling experience but don't want to go too hard


I will be using it together with my DX3Pro so I'm wondering whether a pre amp would be a better option

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Whats the best tube amp/pre amp I can get for around $150 or under? I want to get a little taste of the tube sound and tube rolling experience but don't want to go too hard

None for what headphones you have.

I will be using it together with my DX3Pro so I'm wondering whether a pre amp would be a better option

You have to set the DX3Pro to line output, not preamp output, when using a headphone amp or an integrated amplifier. Use the preamp output for power amps ie they don't have any preamp circuits built in unlike an integrated amp or headphone amp.

 

[Deolum]

If you have a low impedance headphone i'd say little dot mk 1+. I got myself one from ebay for 100 € with upgrade tubes and changed opamp and it sounds fabulous for that price. The tube difference is significant though so i don't know about the stock one.