HD600 -- Gilmore Lite or CIaudio VHP-1?

[triggerc]

I'm looking for some sub-$500 amp solutions for the HD600, I've read some good things about the Gilmore Lite and the CIaudio VHP-2. Which would be the better one for the HD600? I mainly use the HD600 for classical, and I've also a pair of SR225 for rock, I've also a Zhaolu D2.5c as DAC right now.

Any other recommendations would be great as well.

 

[greggf]

I'm using a VHP-2 and an HD600 right now, and it's super for classical. It's super for everything, really. It's a very powerful, clean, honest little amp. I'm smitten.

Never heard the Headamp products.

 

[Downer]

There is no pricing info for CI products or I couldnt find it

 

[Mister Crash]

I bought a VHP-2 from CI Audio a little over a year ago. I believe that the price was US$349 at the time. Looks like it's US$399 now:

MUSICDIRECT - CIAUDIO - VHP-2 HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

 

[Downer]

Thanks for the link...

 

[triggerc]

Thanks for the responses.

So the VHP-2 is a good match for the HD600, good to hear. How well does a SR225 scale with it?

 

[greggf]

Never had a Grado beyond the most basic model many years ago, so I can't say.

CIAudio (Google it) also sells the amps direct. But Music Direct is great, too.

 

[triggerc]

Oops, thread should say VHP-2

 

[Suntory_Times]

I also use a pair of HD600, I would suggest looking at the Citypulse ef3.01. Sounds absolutly stunning

 

[nd4speed]

I don't mean to thread hijack but I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP. Looking for an amp for the HD600. Listening to the gamut, but mostly Orchestral, Opera and Jazz. My price range is about the same. Been considering:

RS Tomahawk + Super Pro 707 Dac
Corda 2Move + Super Pro 707 Dac
Citypulse DA2.03e
Zhaolu D2.5C w/ Discrete Headphone Amp Mod
Glow Amp

The mentioned amps look interesting, I'll have to look into them. Thanks.

 

[triggerc]

I think the citypulse and zhaolu are better as DACs, even with the discrete headphone amp. Both the Tomahawk and 2Move are portable amps, I think you would get better value for your money if you got desktop amps instead. I haven't heard anything about the Glow, what kind of an amp is it?

Edit: I see its a tube amp, I'm of the camp where I want solid state for the fidelity, maybe something like the Millet with tubes for the input stage and solid state for output would be good as well.

 

[nd4speed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggerc /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think the citypulse and zhaolu are better as DACs, even with the discrete headphone amp. Both the Tomahawk and 2Move are portable amps, I think you would get better value for your money if you got desktop amps instead. I haven't heard anything about the Glow, what kind of an amp is it?

Yeah, you're probably right about the portables. I was skeptical that they might not have the power to the drive the Senn.

The Glow is a nice little tube amp/ USB DAC that can drive small speakers as well as headphones, you can check out a review here.

Would you say that you're unsatisfied with the Zhaolu used as a headamp and how? Thanks.

 

[triggerc]

My Zhaolu won't be here until tomorrow, but I've a hunch that the SR225 would sound pretty good with it, but the HD600 can scale much better with a dedicated amp.

 

[Dobro]

The Gilmore Lite works beautifully with my HD580s, which for the purposes of this discussion is identical to the HD600s. This review should give you an idea of what to expect:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/six...linear-278691/

This might be of interest as well:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/com...-elpac-225178/

 

[Spiritboxer]

Yeah, the HD580. I'm listening to the Pavarotti/Freni La Boheme on the HD580 hooked up to an RSA XP-7 with the LT1028 (I think) opamp. Smooth as silk and incredibly beautiful, fantastic with jazz as well. Life is sweet!