[Veniogenesis]

Hi everyone!

I've actually never bought a headphone amplifier before!

I've read through
the this part of the forum over the course of my stay here at head-fi, but it's
been really hectic because there seems to be so many different amps, and it's
really hard to figure out which one is good and what each is like. Heck, I
basically don't know anything about amps. I've picked up a few names here and
there like Go-Vibe v3, Pocket Amp 2, Airhead, Porta Corda MkII, SR-71, Maxi Moy,
XIN Super Macro, Z-Audio Lamda, AE-1, Gilmore Lite, etc.

Okay so. Yeah. It's hard. Amps range from little $50 CMOYs (which I actually built one) up to $10,000+ huge tube crazy things. lol

So obviously, I have a budget. It's a MAX of $400. (Basically, well, SR-71.) But I don't think I will actually be able to spend that much. I was wondering if someone could suggest some amps for me.

Portability isn't of issue here. As long as I can carry it in a large bag if I need
to, it's great.

Do the amps that cost more actually sound better? Say, Go-Vibe ($89) vs Airhead ($150) vs Xin Super Macro ($250).



What is probably the best bang for the buck? Or do I really have to go to my limits to get a SR-71?

Considering that my source setup isn't the best of things,
320kbps MP3 -> M-Audio A192 -> An Amp -> Beyerdynamic DT880
or
iPod -> Sik Din -> An Amp -> Beyerdynamic DT880

What do I need to at least pull out a good potential of a DT880?



I'm sorry for the large number of questions that I'm shooting out.

Thanks sooo very much everyone!


Cheers,
Venio

 

[Jazper]

Quote:

Portability isn't of issue here. As long as I can carry it in a large bag if I need to, it's great.

By "portablity isn't an issue" do you mean battery powered, or is mains powered ok?

 

[Elephas]

It's great that there are so many portable amps available to choose from.

The DT880 is high impedance (250ohm) and relatively inefficient. I believe it would pair best with an amp with plenty of power.

The SR-71, SuperMacro-3 and HeadRoom Micro Amp would be at the top of my list.

If any of these don't work out for you, sell them to me.

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazper By "portablity isn't an issue" do you mean battery powered, or is mains powered ok?

Battery powered.

Sorry, I forgot to specify that.




I'm thinking about SM v3 Lite or Portaphile V2.

Thanks!
Venio

 

[Azure]

Here are two posts about amp impressions at the Oregon meet:
Post 1
Post 2
That should help a bit. How much longer till you get your DT880s?

 

[Veniogenesis]

Probably a few more weeks until it'll actually come into my house.

(A month?)

First I have to sort out the details with amps and fix my broken CD players and iPod.

 

[ReDVsion]

How about the new headamp AE-1?

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReDVsion How about the new headamp AE-1?

Yeah, I think I'm considering either a AE-1 or SR-71.

My ears tricked my brain into growing my pocketbook from $300 for the setup to $650 for the whole thing in two days.

 

[wakeride74]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephas It's great that there are so many portable amps available to choose from. The DT880 is high impedance (250ohm) and relatively inefficient. I believe it would pair best with an amp with plenty of power. The SR-71, SuperMacro-3 and HeadRoom Micro Amp would be at the top of my list. If any of these don't work out for you, sell them to me.

I agree about the three mentioned above. I am gearing up to write a review of the SM3 Vs. the Micro and I think as far as "bang for buck" it's probably a pretty close call. I've found that my SM3 mates very well with my Beyers and tightens everything up a lot while the Micro brings warmth into an otherwise lacking mid range. I have not heard the 880's so I can't comment on how either would do for those but either would be a great choice.

*edit - I wante dto add that if you go with the Micro be sure to get the desktop module (which is free)