[Malefoda]

Hi there,

as it's hard to know if it's worth it or not prior to any try, my only hope being that someone has some experience about that:

do a dedicated "budget" amp, e.g. the Hotaudio RM-1 or LD I+, will outperform my integrated amp headphone output? I've seen no thread about that.

I have a concern as the amp does a less than slight backround noise wich annoy me far more than slightly. But I wonder if any other amp will do far better in SQ as the MS1 sounds well already, I use it not that often, and if an new amp instead of... an amp is not stupid. (I've checked and as far as I can understand the headphone socket is just at the amp speakers output but the main relay wich may switch from one to the other).

My integrated is an Aura VA100 Evolution, british stuff.

Thanks,
Matthieu

 

[Pariah1]

I don't know those amps, but I have an X-Head amp (not expensive) and it kills my Cambridge Audio Azur 640a's headphone out. I can tell a huge difference with whatever phone I stick in, right now it is Grado 225i's (which are supposed to be easy to drive, still a big difference) and I have listened to my Senn HD 595's with it too (which are also fairly easy to drive, still a big difference as well).

So I think even if you have efficient cans an budget amp can still make a big difference in SQ. At least that's my experience so far.

 

[Frank I]

I have the Little Dot Mk11 tube amp for my cans. Different presentation than my Outlaw 2150 receiver both are very good but the separate amp I would not be without.