[AutumnCrown]

I would like balanced output (or maybe between DAC/amp? is that more important?), but not necessary. Just a well rounded, well respected piece of engineering.

So far the Cavalli Liquid Carbon and Cayin iha-6 have caught my eye. What else is there that has been tested and approved by those in the know?

 

[nordkapp]

https://ciaudio.com/product/vhp•2-headphone-amplifier/

 

[ahmadfaizadnan]

I used HD800 SDR mod (closer to HD800S than the stock) with Liquid Carbon and I thought it was great. But, when I got my ecp amp, it makes a huge difference. If you can get a used ecp black diamond, L2 or torpedo 3 that would be awesome.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I honestly thought the Chord Mojo sounded about as good as the $4,300 Simaudio MOON Neo 430HAD with the HD 800.

 

[Shuon]

You can try to get one used violectric v280 which has balanced output and small enough compared to other amps in the same price range

 

[nordkapp]

You can try to get one used violectric v280 which has balanced output and small enough compared to other amps in the same price range

That's a strong recommend. +1

 

[AutumnCrown]

That's actually my top candidate right now. The problem is that finding one for under $1000 is not easy. It's a newish model which doesn't help.

 

[Shuon]

That's actually my top candidate right now. The problem is that finding one for under $1000 is not easy. It's a newish model which doesn't help.

True. It’s really difficult to find one under $1000 since v280 is not a really popular model and too new. There are a lot of v281 on the market, but it is big and expensive with some useless functions. I got my v280 of $1200 which is a demo unit but with full warranty from violectric USA. Actually if you don’t need the balanced output you can get a v200. I used my v200 for one year and the sound is almost the same as the single ended output of v281. Used V200 is pretty cheap and there are a lot on the market. Also it’s 2/3 size of v280.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I would like balanced output (or maybe between DAC/amp? is that more important?), but not necessary. Just a well rounded, well respected piece of engineering.

Why not one that has its own DAC so it sends a balanced line signal to its amplifier stage? Look at the AudioGD NFB-28 and Schiit Jotunheim.

 

[koenoe]

Lehmann Audio Linear Pro?