Looking for tube amp up to €1200 ($1500) shipped to Europe

[scale]

I currently use a Musical Fidelity x-can v2 but would like to explore upgrades. I prefer to stay with tube amps and would like some suggestions on amps that would be distinct upgrades relative to the x-can. I would rather not exceed €1200 (or $1500) shipped to Spain. I would prefer purchasing new so that it has a warranty. It has been years since I bought my x-can and am a bit surprised by the variety now that I did not have then.

My headphones are Sennheiser hd 600.

 

[MASantos]

Hi!
Greetings from Portugal!!

With that budget you could get a maxxed mpx3 from www.singlepower.com
You should speak with SACDlover, he has some amps from singlepower and could advise you well.
You could also get a eddie current or a woo audio! if you do a search here, you will find that all of these are well respected amplifiers!!

Hope it helps.

MAnuel

 

[kunwar]

Meier Audio, either the AudioValve RKV2 or the new Meier tube amp.

 

[00940]

I was about to suggest the AudioValve RKV but I see it's not anymore on Jan Meier's website.

There's the corda eartube from Jan but there's not a lot of informations for this one yet.

 

[tom hankins]

Singlepower MPX3, or see if Mikhail has a demo Supra.
Purk can give you comparisons between his Singlepower and his RKV MKII if you PM him.

 

[00940]

You should perhaps contact Sugano-San. Helmut Becker from Audiovalve changed the opamps in his RKV. It made quite a big change for the best. Problem with all US owners of RKV is that they own now a non-optimal version. Bad thing being I don't think Sugano-San heard a singlepower.

 

[Runningwater]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00940 I was about to suggest the AudioValve RKV but I see it's not anymore on Jan Meier's website. There's the corda eartube from Jan but there's not a lot of informations for this one yet.

I guess RKV II are not produced any more. Why not try Eartube

 

[Sleestack]

I use an X-Can v3, but recently purchased an MPX3 from Singlepower. Although my particular configuration cost $2000+, an MPX3 with a robust configuration cn be had for well under $1500. I highly recommend the MPX3. It is vastly superior to the X-Can I use. The packaging is such that you could feel comfortable that your amp would arrive scratch free. Furthermore, Mikhail is an upstanding businessman and you can buy from him with complete confidence.

 

[scale]

Thank you for your suggestions. I have received private messages also. I will use this information to begin searchging this site for more information. That was one of the things I wanted was a starting point. I welcome any other suggestions and I look in this price range.

I will search for more information on the MPX3 then.

 

[00940]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runningwater I guess RKV II are not produced any more. Why not try Eartube

Audiovalve just produced some new silver cases and nothing on their website saying it would be discontinued. Strange strategy if they were to discontinue it. I suppose that:
- or Jan is trying to push the eartube
- or the modifications performed by Helmut Becker on Sugano-San's amp will lead to a RKV mkIII

I just sent Jan Meier an email.

 

[lini]

What about a lovely little Brocksieper EarMax Pro?

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[recstar24]

You definitely should research and consider the Ray Samuels Raptor. Its priced at 1175 which is within your budget. You can read my review which is stickied in the reviews, and you can search for it and find many impressions from DariusF, Tyrion, bhd812, and KenW. Jude just received his at the detroit mini-meet, and should be posting impressions as well.

The Raptor is incredibly transparent and neutral, reacts very well to tube-rolling options, and has such a lively and huge sense of depth and space to the soundscape that I have not heard before on any other tube headphone amp.

Just read the review and i hope you can get an accurate sense of what the Raptor would contribute to your system.

Regards,

Ryan

 

[oneeyedhobbit]

Make sure when you search for info on the amps being recommended to you that you take a look at the previous posting habits of the people doing the recommending.

That being said, I've not heard anything mentioned to you, but the big names right now in your budget are the Eddie Current offerings (search for Jude's recent review of the HD-25), Singlepower offerings (the MPX3 tossed out), or perhaps the RS Raptor, though I've no idea if it will be within your budget in Euros--whats the conversion rate?

 

[cpw]

Raptor!!!
I unfortunately haven't heard the EarTube from Meier but as it's in your neck o' the woods...
CPW

 

[recstar24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneeyedhobbit That being said, I've not heard anything mentioned to you, but the big names right now in your budget are the Eddie Current offerings (search for Jude's recent review of the HD-25), Singlepower offerings (the MPX3 tossed out), or perhaps the RS Raptor, though I've no idea if it will be within your budget in Euros--whats the conversion rate?

Those are 3 of the best headphone amps out there, you can't go wrong with either of them. The eddie current however is much cheaper yet can hang right next to the other two, can't go wrong with any of them, but if your looking to save some mucho dinero, the eddie current would be real nice!

Damn, now you got me thinking about the hd25