auris
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2005
- Posts
- 197
- Likes
- 14
Many thanks in advance for any replies.
I am new around here and have been gathering information, searching threads, and trying to narrow down choices for a couple of weeks now. I am looking for a headphone amplifier for multi-source use. It will be used with my home stereo: McIntosh solid state C37 preamp, turntable with Sumiko Blue Point high-output moving coil cartridge, and a Cal Audio cd player (tube output stage). The amp will also need to do double- duty at times with my computer (Soundblaster Audigy 2 "value" soundcard). I also have a couple of old tube McIntosh preamps available (C11 and C22), but doubt I will be using them at this point, as they do not mate well with the power amp in my home system (I do have access to a fair number of tubes for the preamps and a couple of old mono tube amps, but really don't want whether I already have particular tubes to roll to be the single deciding factor).
Headphones used will be a pair of 120 ohm Sennheiser 590's (Equinox cable on order). I am looking for an amplifier that will bring a bit more fullness/warmth to the midrange of the Sennheiser's. I do a lot of listening to female vocalists, play mainly jazz, some rock, and some classical. I do not listen much to electronica, rap, or hip hop. I am particularly sensitive to glare, shrillness, grainy sound -- whatever you want to call it. If necessary, I am ready to forego extended high frequency response in an effort to avoid glare.
Oh, yes -- I also suffer from a somewhat common affliction -- I am on a budget. I really don't want to spend any more than $600 max, and less is better. Probably need to forego kits -- have never put anything electronic together and don't want my first experiment in learning how to be the new amplifier. I would consider buying used, but would prefer something new with a warranty in case of problems.
My short list of amp candidates now: Eddie Current HD-25 (have seen a review or two raving about sound; wonder if board flexing when inserting and removing tubes may still be an issue); Antique Sound Labs MG Head DT/OTL Mk III (wonder whether quality control is still an issue); Antique Sound Labs HB1 Hybrid Tube Headphone Amp ($250 price is right, but have found no reviews or listening impressions); Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 (not really a frontrunner now due to reading opinions of build quality and reading that tubes are soldered-in
); Woo Audio 3 (no real issues from my research. Wonder how sound compares to others);Gilmore Lite (the only current solid state candidate -- wonder if midrange will sound at all warm or not -- hard to tell from reviews I've read).
If at all possible, I'd like to be happy the first time around (and not look back) rather than go on a quest for a sonic Golden Fleece. My wallet isn't fit to to underwrite such a journey.
Any thoughts, experiences to share, suggestions, or positive or negative recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
I am new around here and have been gathering information, searching threads, and trying to narrow down choices for a couple of weeks now. I am looking for a headphone amplifier for multi-source use. It will be used with my home stereo: McIntosh solid state C37 preamp, turntable with Sumiko Blue Point high-output moving coil cartridge, and a Cal Audio cd player (tube output stage). The amp will also need to do double- duty at times with my computer (Soundblaster Audigy 2 "value" soundcard). I also have a couple of old tube McIntosh preamps available (C11 and C22), but doubt I will be using them at this point, as they do not mate well with the power amp in my home system (I do have access to a fair number of tubes for the preamps and a couple of old mono tube amps, but really don't want whether I already have particular tubes to roll to be the single deciding factor).
Headphones used will be a pair of 120 ohm Sennheiser 590's (Equinox cable on order). I am looking for an amplifier that will bring a bit more fullness/warmth to the midrange of the Sennheiser's. I do a lot of listening to female vocalists, play mainly jazz, some rock, and some classical. I do not listen much to electronica, rap, or hip hop. I am particularly sensitive to glare, shrillness, grainy sound -- whatever you want to call it. If necessary, I am ready to forego extended high frequency response in an effort to avoid glare.
Oh, yes -- I also suffer from a somewhat common affliction -- I am on a budget. I really don't want to spend any more than $600 max, and less is better. Probably need to forego kits -- have never put anything electronic together and don't want my first experiment in learning how to be the new amplifier. I would consider buying used, but would prefer something new with a warranty in case of problems.
My short list of amp candidates now: Eddie Current HD-25 (have seen a review or two raving about sound; wonder if board flexing when inserting and removing tubes may still be an issue); Antique Sound Labs MG Head DT/OTL Mk III (wonder whether quality control is still an issue); Antique Sound Labs HB1 Hybrid Tube Headphone Amp ($250 price is right, but have found no reviews or listening impressions); Musical Fidelity X-Can V3 (not really a frontrunner now due to reading opinions of build quality and reading that tubes are soldered-in
If at all possible, I'd like to be happy the first time around (and not look back) rather than go on a quest for a sonic Golden Fleece. My wallet isn't fit to to underwrite such a journey.
Any thoughts, experiences to share, suggestions, or positive or negative recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
