[kaneman890]

im just looking for a really cheap tube amp/dac combo, i gave my girlfriend my old ath m50's and she uses them at work all the time and i kind of got her into headphones so she is looking for an inexpensive starter amp.  as the title says its going on her desk at work so looking for something that looks neat and is cheap because this will be at her work all of the time.
 
something that looks kinda neat but is still a decent upgrade out of laptop headphone jacks.  also any kind of usb input would be an awesome addition (like a hifiman EF2A but cheaper if possible).
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAVO-AUDIO-BRAVO-V3-CLASS-A-TUBE-HEADPHONE-AMP-W-EQ-OPTION-US-SALE-SHIP-NEW-/290864748196?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item43b8e3d6a4
 
edit: i put this here because it will be running straight out of a mac book or hopefully someone can find me something that has a built in dac.
 
any info helps

 

[dhodgeh]

Have you thought about an Aune T1?  A bit more $$$ coming in at $200, but it is a dac/amplifier that sounds pretty good.
 
fwiw
 
D

 

[2NE1]

Not many sub $100.
 
Aune T1 is a little higher.
Maverick also has theirs around the $200 ish..

 

[kaneman890]

ya, i figured i was limited to the hifiman or aune i was just wondering if there were any other choices

 

[mobayrasta]

There are some on ebay from China in that range. Such as http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tube-12AU7-USB-DAC-Headphone-amplifier-pre-amp-PCM2702-/120648826609?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item1c173afef1 but also  others. Just search tube dac amp. 

 

[shockdoc]

If memory serves, fellow head-fier dsnuts really liked that little Bravo. You could pair it with the super cheap ELE Dac or perhaps the HiFiMediy Sabre Dac and have a nice little system that would be in that price range.