[soysaucefox]

I see these pictures of portable amps hooked up to ipod classics using things that look like the livestrong bracelets, and I want to know what kind of amp best fits me. I am getting the Sennheiser HD 600s, and am willing to pay around 150, maybe 200 dollars on my first headphone amp. I know with the HD 600s you are supposed to get a really nice amp, but this is my first one and I want to start off a little bit smaller. Any suggestions?

 

[alv4426]

You are going to use HD600 as a portable? 

 

[soysaucefox]

Not really portable, just not totally stationary. I'd never take them even outside the house.

 

[alv4426]

I don't really know much about portable amps (so think of this as a free bump) but look at ibassos although I don't know if they make any that would be all that great with the HD600. I have seen people recommending tubes for the HD600 so a portable may not be enough.

 

[Il Mostro]

SR71 is out of your price range new, but I have occasionally seen these go for a song at Audiogon.  SR71, Stepdance , i-Qube and amps of that ilk are the only portables worth considering for HD600's.   Still far from ideal, especially since these are not prototypical portable 'phones.

 

[Jalo]

Montro, Sex in the Parietal and Occipital areas? Can't be too much fun, should add some frontal lobe to it 

 

 

[Jalo]

Sorry, forgot the OP's question, hmn...how about an Ibasso P4?

 

[lextek]

RSA Hornet M drives the HD600s fine.

 

[fabio-fi]

Quote:

RSA Hornet M drives the HD600s fine.

X2
i have heard good things about this match. 

 

[goodo]

I also have the HD600 and went for the Vivid Technologies V1 as my first amp. I'm not expert but am very happy with the combo, would also recommend getting the Fiio L9 LOD to go with the ipod.
 
HeadphoneAddict has a good write up about the little amp

 

[goodo]

Theres also a good review from project86 http://www.head-fi.org/t/484033/review-vivid-technologies-v1-usb-dac-portable-amp

 

[therebirth]

try govibe sharps, great design(esp. the red model), just a little bit bigger than ipod classic. I would rate it 8/10 when bundled with my HD650. A bit out of ur price range though.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Get a used PB1 Toucan and order the reterminated Sennheiser cable from Ibaasso.

 

[HiFlight]

Quote:

Get a used PB1 Toucan and order the reterminated Sennheiser cable from Ibaasso.

X2!

 

[Il Mostro]

Keep your eyes open for a pre-loved SR 71-A.  I have seen these as low as $200 when they come up.  One of a small handful of portable amps truly capable of doing justice to HD600's. I have heard of smaller RSA portables doing a good job but do not have first hand experience.  SR 71-A is a slam dunk performance-wise.