Matrix M-Stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent.
Apr 20, 2014 at 2:25 PM Post #4,756 of 5,176
That's kind of frustrating but possibly true... In my experience, K340s require a bit more volume than 600 ohm DT990s to reach the same loudness, but that doesn't mean optimal performance...the Emotiva a-100 really opens it up, but I don't want another bulky speaker amp on my office desk. I was looking for a DAC+amp combo that's powerful enough and reasonably compact. This seems to be quite a challenge now...
Thanks Crhis J! 
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 3:04 PM Post #4,757 of 5,176
How about something like this Topping T-30 15WPC? Small, attractive, and even has a DAC (no idea the quality). Topping amps are inexpensive, but regarded well for what they are. I'm assuming you have speaker connections on your K340 if you are already using a speaker amp.

http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP30-Digital-Amplifier-USB-DAC/dp/B005D7SKWK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398020718&sr=8-1&keywords=topping+tp30

more pictures: http://www.parts-express.com/topping-tp30-class-t-digital-mini-amplifier-with-usb-dac-15-wpc--310-312?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla



Or if you'd rather just an amp, the TP21 ups the power and nixes the built in DAC for less money:

http://www.parts-express.com/topping-tp21-class-t-digital-mini-amplifier-25-wpc-with-headphone-output--310-310
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 3:29 PM Post #4,758 of 5,176
  That's kind of frustrating but possibly true... In my experience, K340s require a bit more volume than 600 ohm DT990s to reach the same loudness, but that doesn't mean optimal performance...the Emotiva a-100 really opens it up, but I don't want another bulky speaker amp on my office desk. I was looking for a DAC+amp combo that's powerful enough and reasonably compact. This seems to be quite a challenge now...
Thanks Crhis J! 

 
In my experience, you're not gonna get the same SQ experience from a headphone amp on a few of the very power hungry headphones. I don't think you'll find any that have the power for them. 
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 3:39 PM Post #4,759 of 5,176
How about something like this Topping T-30 15WPC? Small, attractive, and even has a DAC (no idea the quality). Topping amps are inexpensive, but regarded well for what they are. I'm assuming you have speaker connections on your K340 if you are already using a speaker amp.

http://www.amazon.com/Topping-TP30-Digital-Amplifier-USB-DAC/dp/B005D7SKWK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398020718&sr=8-1&keywords=topping+tp30

more pictures: http://www.parts-express.com/topping-tp30-class-t-digital-mini-amplifier-with-usb-dac-15-wpc--310-312?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla



Or if you'd rather just an amp, the TP21 ups the power and nixes the built in DAC for less money:

http://www.parts-express.com/topping-tp21-class-t-digital-mini-amplifier-25-wpc-with-headphone-output--310-310

Thanks Maxvla! I know this is taking you guys off-topic, sorry! The topping amps seem to be a very hopeful option. I will look into them carefully. 
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 3:40 PM Post #4,760 of 5,176
   
In my experience, you're not gonna get the same SQ experience from a headphone amp on a few of the very power hungry headphones. I don't think you'll find any that have the power for them. 

I must agree that the K340s is one of them. 
tongue.gif
 I might be one of the few guys today still playing with these... Thanks! 
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 3:43 PM Post #4,762 of 5,176
 
   
In my experience, you're not gonna get the same SQ experience from a headphone amp on a few of the very power hungry headphones. I don't think you'll find any that have the power for them. 

I must agree that the K340s is one of them. 
tongue.gif
 I might be one of the few guys today still playing with these... Thanks! 

 
I think I've owned 2 or 3 pairs. There is something really special about that headphone.
 
Something to note, in case you didn't know, is I believe all topping amplifiers run on a tripath design, meaning you do need a balanced recable on your K340 to use them (someone correct me if I'm wrong on the tripath).
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 4:30 PM Post #4,763 of 5,176
The Topping amps I linked to above have standard speaker outputs. I assume since he has the K340 in use with a speaker amp already, he has reterminated to bananas or something.
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 4:36 PM Post #4,764 of 5,176
Honest question: I've dropped my HPA-2 down to $225 in the FS forums and continue to not really get any interest. Is my pricing reasonable? Or is this just not a desirable amp at the moment?


I think it's a reasonable price. Dunno why it ain't selling man.
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 4:41 PM Post #4,765 of 5,176
Honest question: I've dropped my HPA-2 down to $225 in the FS forums and continue to not really get any interest. Is my pricing reasonable? Or is this just not a desirable amp at the moment?


Let's just say I sold my HPA-1 for $150.
Does yours have the USB DAC?
mine did not.
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 4:43 PM Post #4,767 of 5,176
 
Honest question: I've dropped my HPA-2 down to $225 in the FS forums and continue to not really get any interest. Is my pricing reasonable? Or is this just not a desirable amp at the moment?


I think it's a reasonable price. Dunno why it ain't selling man.

 
I think the M-stage HPA-1 was such a FOTM type amp that about 6 months ago a ton of them were selling used.
 
I think you might want to include that it's a "USB DAC" and not just "USB". If the DAC is decent seems like a good all in one for a computer type rig.
 
Apr 20, 2014 at 4:47 PM Post #4,768 of 5,176
Apr 20, 2014 at 5:11 PM Post #4,770 of 5,176
I love mine as well! Just looking to go with something balanced for a future balanced setup. Or if I like it enough with my newest (incoming amp = La Figaro 339) then I'll keep it!


I understand.
I was thinking about getting a Matrix Quattro amp myself, so I'll need a balanced output DAC to go with it.
 

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