[shade]

I am requesting suggestions for an inexpensive headphone amp, with the following specifications:

1) they will be used to drive a pair of Sennheiser 580s

2) the sources will be a laptop computer, a home stereo system, and possibly even a portable CD player.

3) it should be fairly small - the user has 2 residences, and will be bringing the amp across the US twice a year. However it doesn't need to be pocket sized.

4) it should be fairly inexpensive - under $200. This is a backup audio system so I'm not looking for the highest quality...

Based on my research, I'm finding that Headroom's AirHead or BitHead might not drive Sennheiser 580s, nor will the Creek OBH-11. Am I wrong about the AirHead or BitHead? Will the HeadSave HomeVibe version work? any other ideas?

As always, I appreciate everyone's advice!

 

[tom hankins]

Rega Ear. They sound great with the Senns. they are around your price range, light and small, well made, and I repeat...they sound great with the Senns.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins Rega Ear. They sound great with the Senns. they are around your price range, light and small, well made, and I repeat...they sound great with the Senns.

There arent a lot of choices for this price other than some good diy type amps or diy amps some builders will build you . The tube amp buy thread is something you might check out. That amp is in your price range but I dont know how the sound quality would compare. The Rega is a well regarded and safer choice IMO.

 

[fewtch]

Check the amplification for sale forum here... I'm selling something myself that fits what you're looking for (size-wise especially), although you could do better for more money. Lots of amps posted there right now.

 

[Alex Altorfer]

Shade,

According to a review by fellow headfier Tuberoller the Rega Ear was specifically voiced with the HD 580/600s by Rega engineers. This has been confirmed by other headfiers with insider access to Rega staff. Sinergy is superb.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[roncri]

I have a very similiar setup at work. I had MisterX make me a maxed out Pimeta (integrated powersupply, crossfeed, RCA out's with toggle switch).

I had been using a friend's HeadRoom Supreme and to be perfectly honest I prefer the sound of my new Pimeta.

Because of my job I have to switch between headphones and my PC speakers several times a day. Now with a flip of the toggle switch I can route the signal from my headphone amp to the RCA outs to my PC speakers.

Total to me with shipping was $234.00 and worth every penny.

-Ron

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shade Based on my research, I'm finding that Headroom's AirHead or BitHead might not drive Sennheiser 580s, nor will the Creek OBH-11. Am I wrong about the AirHead or BitHead? Will the HeadSave HomeVibe version work? any other ideas? As always, I appreciate everyone's advice!

The Creek OBH-11 drives HD580s OK, but in my opinion doesn't sound very good... it's an older design, and not a very good one.

The Headsave Home Vibe will indeed work, and very well, if you wanted to give that a try. It's very tiny though, and has a minijack on it. Unless you requested a larger case and jack from Norm, you'd be limited forever to the HD580 stock cable unless you used an adapter. If you decide to try it, make sure to let Norm know it's for a pair of HD580s.

 

[rayofsi]

i also had a pimeta from misterx driving my hd580s and it worked well for me.

 

[pbirkett]

I know a couple of people with Rega Ears and Senn HD580 and they havent had a bad word said against them. These people tend like a lively sound, so it sounds like the Rega Ear wakes them up a bit.

 

[smeggy]

Griffin Powerwave ($100) with an upgraded PSU (Pyramid 12V $20) Used through the RCA's in it sounds great with the Senn 580's. Very small, very powerful as it has speaker outs too, and works great with laptops. It also has usb in and out. I have this setup and it's an awesome little package.