Best headphone amps today for under 500 dollars

[donunus]

List em down pls. Anything better than gilmore lite? is the zhaolu even close? I want it for my ad2000

 

[greenhorn]

Corda Aria.

 

[drarthurwells]

The two amps I use in my home headphone system or the one I use in my car (only for HPs of 100 ohm impedance or more though).

Click on the Bada, Xainsheng, and BLAudio links below in my signature.

 

[donunus]

ad2000 is under 100 ohms

 

[donunus]

hey anyone ever do a shootout between corda aria and a zhaolu 2 or a lavry da10?

 

[kwkarth]

Along with the Corda Aria, I have to nominate the Dared MP5 with EHG 5751 tubes. Awesome amp for the K1000s and the K701s for under $500.

In the portable category there's the RSA SR-71.

 

[kramer5150]

Im REALLY liking my little earmax. Such a fun, groovy sound. Bass-heavy so it might not be to your liking. But that largely depends on the tubes you use. Its very easy to tube-roll, and not very finicky at all. Just plug em in...12AX7, 12AU7, 6922, so far haven't had any tube holocausts yet

Garrett

 

[PeeeMeS]

Little Dot Micro

 

[BennyBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus List em down pls. Anything better than gilmore lite? is the zhaolu even close? I want it for my ad2000

If your talking under $1000. than the X-CanV3 is it hands down!

 

[chesebert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BennyBoy If your talking under $1000. than the X-CanV3 is it hands down!

you think xcanv3 is better than dynahi?

I mean seriously

 

[PFKMan23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BennyBoy If your talking under $1000. than the X-CanV3 is it hands down!

Heh... So then a X Cans V3 is better than a GS1, HR2, PPX3 SLAM, etc.. Right?

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus ad2000 is under 100 ohms

Don't get the BLAudio then but check out the Bada PH12, G & W T2.6F and Xiansheng in my signature links below.

The Xiangsheng and G & W T2.6F meet or beat anything under $500, except for the Bada PH12 which is better than the two (as well as better as some others costing more than twice the price of the Bada PH 12).

Solid state amps are too lean in tone body and all have an "artificial" electronic sound quality - simply don't sound as natural as a good hybrid or tube amp.

 

[chesebert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells Don't get the BLAudio then but check out the Bada PH12, G & W T2.6F and Xaingsheng in my signature links below. The Xaingsheng and G & W T2.6F meet or beat anything under $500, except for the Bada PH12 which is better than the two (as well as better as some others costing more than twice the price of the Bada PH 12).

G&W T2.6F sounds like POS next to my dynahi

and sounds about the same as my NAD C320bee headphone out

I personally don't like Chinese amps yes I have heard quite a number of them since I go that way quite often

 

[BennyBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 Heh... So then a X Cans V3 is better than a GS1, HR2, PPX3 SLAM, etc.. Right?

I've only ab tested it with a PPX3 and it smoked it!

I've heard the GS1 and liked it but I felt a very good DAC was needed for long term sesions.

After the mods to my X-CanV3, there's not many amps that will out doit for less than $1000.(IMO)!

Just because MF is not a independent so called Hi-End amp builder, does not make it any less of good design than any others.

Most of the folks on this forum seem to buy amps just to have something new in there life. They'll have an amp and be real happy with it, than a few weeks later its in the for sale section or worst, in there closet.

As with my 650's, I see no reason to look any farther for better HeadFi when I've reached audio bliss with the X-CanV3/HD650 combo.

I'm only giving my option (as a level headed person) in that if your using 650's
than the X-CanV3 make for a excellent match. For under $500. it is the best thing going and for under $1000. its in league with the best of them,IMO!
It's most likely real good with other cans aswell, but I've not tried it with others and can only speak (first hand)for the 650's.

 

[Solitary1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells Solid state amps are too lean in tone body and all have an "artificial" electronic sound quality - simply don't sound as natural as a good hybrid or tube amp.

You ARE joking aren't you?