[TheGru]

So I have gone through Schiit Ly2/Bifrost combo (liked it, but not loved it with previously owned HD650s), NAD3020 and now Marantz HD-AMP1 and while the last gives me a great sound for my passive Martin Logan LX16s and a Martin Logan subwoofer, the headphone stage simply is not up to par with my Focal Elears. I love the headphones (spent number hours listening to them on better equipment and I stand by that statement) but the Marantz will probably have to go.

I am looking for possibly all in one unit that will take care of my MLs, sub and Focal Elears in my office (I work from home 95% of the time).

Would you please recommend some options besides $4500 McIntosh MHA150.

I am trying to stay below $2000 for the headphone amp (or headphone out)/DAC and 2.1 amp.

Thank you for any input and suggestions

 

[nordkapp]

Bel Canto C5i. I once owned it.

 

[Monsterzero]

You might consider reading this massive thread...simply add a DAC and youre way ahead of the game(not to mention $ saved)

 

[GChief]

You might consider reading this massive thread...simply add a DAC and youre way ahead of the game(not to mention $ saved)

X2

 

[TheGru]

Thanks. Reading the thread you suggested. Lots of pages. Lol.

Now, if I were to go back to Schiit, what would the setup look like now that they have the amp block product in the lineup? Could I be able to use passive speakers and a powered subwoofer? And if so what would the chain look like?

 

[Oscar-HiFi]

Thanks. Reading the thread you suggested. Lots of pages. Lol.

Now, if I were to go back to Schiit, what would the setup look like now that they have the amp block product in the lineup? Could I be able to use passive speakers and a powered subwoofer? And if so what would the chain look like?

Sell the Schiit gear, get yourself a Keces S3 + S125 combo and run an active subwoofer

With that you have a high quality headphone amp/DAC (S3) that is also an excellent pre-amp for the S125 power amp, stacks neatly and sounds incredible.

You would run the balanced output between the S3 + S125 then use the RCA output of the S3 to the active sub.

Comes in a hair over $2000

http://keces-audio-usa.com/products/S-3
http://keces-audio-usa.com/products/S-125

 

[TheGru]

Thanks! Interested in other options as well. Anyone else has any other ideas?

 

[TheGru]

Decided to split the setup into headphone/DAC and integrated/stereo amp and DAC for speakers.

Ordered a Schitt's Mjolnir2 with Gumby, and will either continue to run Marantz HD-AMP1 for speakers or replace it with a vintage or new stereo amp of some sort (one of the smaller Rotels or vintage Parasound comes to mind).

Oscar-HiFI, thanks for the idea! For some reason Keces did not speak to me ... I had sold Lyr2/Bifrost earlier this year and made up my mind of giving Schiit another try with higher end units.

Thanks for your input and Happy New Year to all!

 

[TheGru]

Got a good deal on McIntosh MHA150 integrated headphone amp to drive my Focals and Martin Logan LX16s with ML Dynamo subwoofer, and decided to cancel the Schiit order. That, I hope, will serve me well for years to come. Can't wait to get it this week.

 

[Monsterzero]

Got a good deal on McIntosh MHA150 integrated headphone amp to drive my Focals and Martin Logan LX16s with ML Dynamo subwoofer, and decided to cancel the Schiit order. That, I hope, will serve me well for years to come. Can't wait to get it this week.

Did you buy it new or used?My brother has the MHA150 and loves it...congrats on a beautiful piece of gear.

 

[TheGru]

I bought it new. Thanks! I hope to finally enjoy instead of upgrading every 200 dollars up and it not making any difference in sound. Decided to drop 1000 extra (on top what I was going to spend on Schiit and Rotel) and be done with it.

 

[Monsterzero]

Yup...my brother went from wanting something inexpensive and simple to a ZMF Auteur+MHA150 in a matter of one week into the hobby.Zero to endgame is six days!

My only beef with that unit is the pricetag and the built in DAC.I would feel a lot better if the DAC was separate/up-gradeable.

 

[TheGru]

Agreed. There are some McIntosh pieces that have upgradable DAC but it's much more $$ and bigger in size.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I am looking for possibly all in one unit that will take care of my MLs, sub and Focal Elears in my office (I work from home 95% of the time).
---
I am trying to stay below $2000 for the headphone amp (or headphone out)/DAC and 2.1 amp.

I don't think you'd find an intergrated amp that can drive a low impedance headphone that well on top of having a subwoofer output.

I'd much rather go with a DAC-HPamp unit that has a preamp output, then run a splitter from the preamp output to a pure power amp (ie no preamp stage) and the powered sub. Something like the AudioGD R2R-11 and an Emotiva power amp like the BasX A-300, plus get some high quality RCA splitter plugs. You could probably stay under $1,200 with these.

If you liked the sound of the NAD D3020 with your speakers and its subwoofer output works with the analogue input then you can use that too.

 

[TheGru]

MHA150 does not have a sub output but a powered sub (in my case ML Dynamo 700 is powered) can be plugged into Pre-OUT via stereo cables. I should be getting mine this or next week so I will let you know how I like it.

Thanks for the input.