[Soundsgoodtome]

I can tell you guys now, the M.D. (I have 3.2 w alpha) and Vali make an excellent pairing. I highly recommend that pair with a decent source.

A $250 tube amp ends up costing more, perhaps about $500... because once you have tubes, then you will want to try various ones to see what fits your tastes.   Generally, the current production tubes that are used in tube amps suck, but amp makers have no choice, because they there is no quantity source of reliable 50 year old tubes.

So, the fact that the Vali has soldered tubes makes it an especially good value.

I just got my Mad Dogs upgraded to the Pro version and am really enjoying the improved sound. It's a very worthwhile upgrade! I've been powering them with a Magni but have been interested trying a tube-based amp. If I make the change to tubes I'd use the Magni in the office.

My budget is probably $250 or less so I don't know what the real options are, outside of the Schiit Vali (which seems like a good match and a great value at $120). I'm interested in any suggested amps to consider in addition to the Vali.

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

And I can also endorse the Yulong D100 which is very slightly north of neutral towards bright, it pairs exceptionally with the MD's sound sig. It provides plenty of power to drive the MDs out of the built in amp as well.

 

[Law87]

If you guys want this headphone but dont want an amp, look at the HTC one M8, I just got it and it power the headphone quiet well with decent volume. loud enough to satisfy me, the LG G2 dint give me any volume at all.

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

  If you guys want this headphone but dont want an amp, look at the HTC one M8, I just got it and it power the headphone quiet well with decent volume. loud enough to satisfy me, the LG G2 dint give me any volume at all.

Which DAC chip does that M8 have?

 

[Law87]

  Which DAC chip does that M8 have?

to be honest, I dont know. do you know any linux command that would show that? I can check it. the sound is warmth with maybe slight bass increase.

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

 
to be honest, I dont know. do you know any linux command that would show that? I can check it. the sound is warmth with maybe slight bass increase.

I don't but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a Wolfson in there.

 

[owendace]

Matt I remember you having a lyr power the MD. Did you have any problems with the lyr giving too much power? Since it's 4.0 w for 50 ohms I'm not really gonna have much room to turn the volume pot. There aren't gain switches on the lyr either.

 

[imackler]

I thought the Magni did quite well with the Alpha Dog. I imagine, being a little bright imo, it may even do better with the 3.2 

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

The Vali sounded fantastic with the Mad Dog 3.2s. I would presume if the Magni were brighter it would still sound great with them.

 

[Law87]

Matt I remember you having a lyr power the MD. Did you have any problems with the lyr giving too much power? Since it's 4.0 w for 50 ohms I'm not really gonna have much room to turn the volume pot. There aren't gain switches on the lyr either.

Its not linear power at 50ohms. As you crank up the volume the more power goes to the headphone and you won't be able to crank it all the way, don't even try.

 

[owendace]

I'm not worried about not being able to turn it up enough. I'm more worried that I don't have much control since there's so much power going to the phones.

Its not linear power at 50ohms. As you crank up the volume the more power goes to the headphone and you won't be able to crank it all the way, don't even try.

 

[Law87]

  I'm not worried about not being able to turn it up enough. I'm more worried that I don't have much control since there's so much power going to the phones.

 
 
I'm not an audio/electrical engineer but I'm pretty sure that's not how an amp work. you will not blow it, I used my Schiit lyr on lesser headphone and it dint blow it. The only way for you to blow them up is you crank the headphone volume to ridiculous level for a long time.

 

[Stillhart]

It's interesting that the 15.32 and 11.32 are mentioned on the first page of this thread but I've just read the whole thread and I don't think I saw a single person who'd actually tried the pairing.
 
I just picked up a used pair of 3.2 w/Alpha pads and they don't pair that well with my Matrix M-Stage.  I find the sound far too dark.  I love my M-stage with the Q701, but it's not doing it for me with the MD's for anything but jazz.  I was looking to pick up something slightly brighter but not too bright so it works with both cans.  The 15.32 and 11.32 are high on my list.  Anyone actually tried them yet?
 
Also, side note, I know the E11 isn't supposed to be able to power the MD's well, but I honestly like the sound signature better with the E11 than the M-stage.  And I have no volume issues when double amping from my sound card at work (Recon3D USB for now).

 

[Hot Pixel]

I'm driving my MDs from my Compass (V1), and I'm actually not that impressed by them, to be honest. I've got it set to neutral and with an earth OP-amp inside.
Not sure if it's the phones or the amp, since I've got nothing else to compare it to.
Also; I'm not sure how the 11/15.32 compare to the old gal.

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

Isn't the Earth opamp the darker sounding of the 3? I've noticed that on my Audio-GD NFB10SE they were not a good match as the warmth of the Wolfson just made the headphone overly dark for my taste. On the bright side of neutral Yulong D100 however...fantastic match.