Head-Direct EF1, Little Dot MKV, alternatives?

[blast8180]

I'm a complete newbie when it comes to headphone amps, so, be gentle please! From what I've meagerly gathered, I think a SS amp would benefit my needs the most. I plan to get a Denon D2000 soon, and a HD600 down the road in a few months. I listen to lots of female vocal jazz, piano, violin, cello, and classical.

That being said, I've looked around and the Little Dot MKV seems to be a top contender in the 300-ish range of SS amps. I felt that, according to my research, it would do the job of driving the D2000 and the HD600 I would eventually get. Then...

I came across a hybrid, the EF1. It seemed pretty interesting and If anyone could chime in on how these two (or any other alternatives <$400) compare with my criteria it would be much appreciated.

*disclaimer* I'd REALLY like to keep the budget under 400, shipped. New, avg used prices, either one.

 

[mbd2884]

Believe the Little Dot MK 1+ is also a hybrid and its gotten good reviews with low impedance easy to drive headphones like your D2000. And it will only cost you 99 USD!

I would list what music and DAC you use also.

 

[blast8180]

Sure thing, I have 2 versions of the Valab DAC, a much older and the newest (2009) one. All are flac files, transport is my pc.

My favorites include:

Diana Krall
Katie Melua
Madeleine Peyroux
Miles Davis
Keiko Matsui
Norah Jones
Yo-yo Ma
Wilheim Kempff's interpretations on any of the classical artists

and random stuff like OLD 'classical' chinese songs, we're talking gu-qin / pi-pa, etc.

 

[blast8180]

I forgot to ask whether the MK1+ Hybrid would be sufficient to drive something like the HD600. Would they?