[genck]

You need to look at gain and not just output power.

I think you're confused, dB is always a logarithmic quantity and it's definitely related to power (that are always in ratio's): 10log(power out/power in) = dB

 

[paradoxper]

Bakoon Amp13R is certainly up there with 25w into 8ohm

it's one of the priciest but also one of the best to my knowledge

And certainly overpriced. Their gain gimmick left a bit to desire just as well.

It's a pretty fruitless pursuit to only mention power output, and at that, power output at incorrect impedance.
One would assume you can do the math, but this is Head-Fi, and full of plenty of morons.

You aren't really going to need more than 5w nominally for 98% headphones out there.

So pick your cherry and formulate best correct drive from there.

I also say this as I'm powering the Verites through a 150w integrated. But I also really enjoyed the TC out of my monoblock Xs300. There are many levels to overkill and many to insanity.

As for headamps, with relatively understandable size requirements, compared to, say, the 600 pounds Xs 300, it's hard to ignore what the original Ragnarok provided considering its wide-range flexibility.

You could dip your toes into the DIY world whether through commission or self-builds and change the rails/bias of your desired amp for some nominal kickassery.

The CFA3 does 16w into 50ohms. And that is at least 8w more than you'd ever need to begin.

However, without size, you're making concessions.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Not being an electrical engineer I don't know about voltages and current and the like, so when I say 'powerful' I just mean which headphone amp can drive the **** out of notoriously hard to drive 'phones like the K701 with the volume knob at about 9 'o' clock (ie. without even trying)?

Can I both money-no-object suggestions and reasonably priced suggestions. Is there even a budget headphone amp that is extremely powerful? Or a portable?

Preferably no valves.

Thanks for suggestions.

There are a greater number of really powerful solid state headphone amplifiers available at the present time than ever before. The best value for power is the Emotiva BASX A100 for around $229 (on sale for $199).

However, it has just been discontinued. With a pair of jumpers in place the A100 sends full power from its speaker outputs to its headphone output. It puts out 50 watts into an 8 ohm impedance headphone, 12 watts into 32 ohms and 8.5 watts into 50 ohms.

Into 300 ohms it puts out 1.3 watts and 600 milliwatts into 600 ohms. Needless to say, in the watts per dollar category the A100 stands alone in terms of value.

Wells Audio offers several powerful and far more expensive headphone amplifiers starting with the Milo ($1699 base price) which puts out about 12 watts into a 32 ohm load and 10 watts into a 50 ohm load.

There's also the Flux Labs Audio FA 10 which puts out about 16 watts into a 32 ohm load. ($749 retail).

And the recently introduced Flux Labs Volot which has similar spec's but a more advanced and balanced circuit. ($2600 approximately).

Also, there's some new entries from Violectric.

The HPA V550, V380, and V590, starting at around $2500 for the V380. The V380 and V590 also include dacs. Spec's are around 5-6 watts into a 50 ohm load.

This kind of power is serious overkill for all but the most inefficient headphones on the market: Hifiman HE6, HE6SE Abyss etc...

 

[Rob the Comic]

SPL Phonitor

 

[Bonddam]

SPL Phonitor

Haha
You are the comic

 

[dunring]

In the reasonable price department, I have the SMSL SP200 and the Drop THX 789. Both can be found for great prices on ebay these days. The SP200 has no problem with my DT990 600 ohm even with a -7db preamp reduction to equalize. The power is on single and xlr both, where the drop single end is about the same as a JDS Atom, 3x more or so on XLR side. I'd grab one and get an idea if you need more like the Schiit Asgard 3.

 

[chesebert]

If an amp can’t pump 16w into 8ohms it shouldn’t be considered powerful.

 

[ThanatosVI]

If an amp can’t pump 16w into 8ohms it shouldn’t be considered powerful.

I wonder on what ground this is based.

Most would probably still consider 16W into 8 ohms as weak, even though in real Applikation one next to never uses actually more than 1W.

 

[chesebert]

I wonder on what ground this is based.

Most would probably still consider 16W into 8 ohms as weak, even though in real Applikation one next to never uses actually more than 1W.

I don’t think many headphone amps (not integrated with headphone out) can actually put out 16w+ into 8 ohms.

 

[ThanatosVI]

I don’t think many headphone amps (not integrated with headphone out) can actually put out 16w+ into 8 ohms.

That's the equivalent of 4W in 32 Ohms which is not rare at all

Edit: corrected value

 

[chesebert]

That's the equivalent of 2W in 32 Ohms which is not rare at all.

4 watts at 32ohm. 2.56w at 50ohms. Forgot to add these are for single ended.
Can we get back to the amps? Math is boring.

 

[chesebert]

That's the equivalent of 4W in 32 Ohms which is not rare at all

Edit: corrected value

4W into 32ohm for SE is pretty high IMO for a headphone amp. What are the amps that can deliver 4W+ into 32ohm singled ended?

 

[Shane D]

The iFi Pro iCAN is a Very powerful amp with lots of toys. It drives my HiFiman HE6se V2's easily at mid gain. Of course I am not a loud listener. I almost never go above 75Db's. But, to me, this pairing is magical.

The only power rating they give is 14 watts per channel at 16 Ohms. They have since brought a new version out called the Signature edition. Very similar with a few tweaks. ALL the power most people will ever need for headphones.

 

[ThanatosVI]

4W into 32ohm for SE is pretty high IMO for a headphone amp. What are the amps that can deliver 4W+ into 32ohm singled ended?

4W into 32 Ohm

Schiit Jotunheim 2
Schiir Lyr 3
Topping A90
Headamp GSX Mini
Wells Milo
Tons of others...

 

[chesebert]

4W into 32 Ohm

Schiit Jotunheim 2

2w single ended

Schiir Lyr 3

I don't trust their value; I suspect they are using the high gain with only 1 channel driven. I reserve my judgement on this one.

Topping A90

2w at 32ohm according to Drop.com

Headamp GSX Mini

I will give you this one..although 4.5w at 32ohm (1% THD) is barely above 4w threshold

Wells Milo

I agree they make powerful amps.

Tons of others...

Probably a few more, not a ton.