[KuKuBuKu]

Yes, I have searched on head- fi, but I have had no success in finding a strait answer, and many of these threads date back to 2005 and even earlier. It seems that there are so many new amps out there. Look at amps like the Audiotailor Jade or Schiit Asgard. There are so many amps out there! Should I get a balanced amp? should i get a portable amp? should it be tube or solid state? Both? I am very confused. I almost was certain that I was gonna get a jade. But then of course, Headfonia released this article about the tripath TK2050: http://www.headfonia.com/hifimediy-tk2050-amplifier/ Which, according to Mike, outclassed the Meier Concerto, and almost touched his 2000 dollar Beta 22. Well, that ruined everything, And now I'm confused again. So, I ask you, Head-fi, for <300 dollars, WHAT AMP SHOULD I GET.

 

[violinvirtuoso]

I would suggest the Matrix M-Stage. It is roughly $250.
 
I am currently using my HD650s with the Yulong D100 (which has an extremely similar amp section to the Matrix M-Stage).

 

[KuKuBuKu]

Did you read the article?
 
But yeah, I have considered it.

 

[EvanLikesFruit]

The website he links to to buy the TK2050 doesn't seem to work. I would be pretty interested to hear if that little amp actually comes close to something like the Beta22. It looks like he's  just saying it has a ton of power to drive the headphones. I don't think that necessarily means the amp sounds awesome.

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Here's the link to the company:
 
http://hifimediy.com/
 
The Amp
http://hifimediy.com/?page_id=18&category=1&product_id=4
Power Supply
http://hifimediy.com/?page_id=18&category=3&product_id=8
 
2 things you should note, the board is assembled, but you have to assemble the rest of it (simple but you have to know what your doing). And you have to use a balanced cable.
 
If I were you, I would ask the author's opinion on your question. He has reviewed the Matrix M-Stage (my recommendation) and can probably give a better opinion that any of us.

 

[EvanLikesFruit]

This amp does sound sort of interesting for the price, assuming it can compete with amps in the couple hundred dollar range. How is one supposed to adjust the volume though? The company mentions the amp is a "power amp", and I have no idea what this means. Maybe its time for some research... 

 

[labrat]

Delete

 

[KuKuBuKu]

Quote:

Here's the link to the company:
 
http://hifimediy.com/
 
The Amp
http://hifimediy.com/?page_id=18&category=1&product_id=4
Power Supply
http://hifimediy.com/?page_id=18&category=3&product_id=8
 
2 things you should note, the board is assembled, but you have to assemble the rest of it (simple but you have to know what your doing). And you have to use a balanced cable.
 
If I were you, I would ask the author's opinion on your question. He has reviewed the Matrix M-Stage (my recommendation) and can probably give a better opinion that any of us.

What if I had little DIY skill? Actually, more like no DIY skill. I haven't soldered anything in my life!
 

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Quote:

Quote:

Here's the link to the company:
 
http://hifimediy.com/
 
The Amp
http://hifimediy.com/?page_id=18&category=1&product_id=4
Power Supply
http://hifimediy.com/?page_id=18&category=3&product_id=8
 
2 things you should note, the board is assembled, but you have to assemble the rest of it (simple but you have to know what your doing). And you have to use a balanced cable.
 
If I were you, I would ask the author's opinion on your question. He has reviewed the Matrix M-Stage (my recommendation) and can probably give a better opinion that any of us.

What if I had little DIY skill? Actually, more like no DIY skill. I haven't soldered anything in my life!
 

 
Again, I would ask the author, but since the board is already assembled, there would be a very minimal amount of skill necessary. In the review, the author assembling the amp and building a CMoy. Do you think that you could build a CMoy? If so, it sounds like you should be fine. If you don't have any idea what you are doing, ask around your neighborhood for anyone that is handy with a soldering iron.