[nmxdaven]

As the title states! I'm looking for a lush sounding tube amp specifically for my Denons and Grado's for less than 400ish. Whats your pick?
 
 

 

[haejuk]

I have read that Little Dot I+ (around $150 shipped from China) is good with D2000/D5000.  I just got one myself, but my D2000 are still on back order, so I can't actually comment on whether it sounds any good or not.  I have read enough people using this combo that I decided to take the plunge.  Another option that I heard was good is the O2 ($150 assembled) with D2000/D5000.  Neither of these amps get even close to your $400 mark though.  I also want to emphasize that I haven't heard any of them.  I got this info from responses in the D2000 / D5000 appreciation thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/350721/denon-d2000-d5000-md2000-md5000-appreciation-thread/1875#post_8213230
 
I am also curious as to what other people have actually heard sound good with the headphones you mentioned, as I am looking for a good solid state desktop amp for them.

 

[Greg121986]

I just contacted Schiit and they recommended the Asgard for the AH-D5000. The Denons are on their way to me now. I was considering the Valhalla or Lyr, but Jason from Schiit said the Asgard is the perfect pairing with the Denon.

 

[Jobie111]

I can second this.  I have the Little Dot I+ and a pair of Grado SR80i and Denon D2000 and very much like the combination.  I have only compared it with the FiiO e9 though.
Quote:

I have read that Little Dot I+ (around $150 shipped from China) is good with D2000/D5000.  I just got one myself, but my D2000 are still on back order, so I can't actually comment on whether it sounds any good or not.  I have read enough people using this combo that I decided to take the plunge.  Another option that I heard was good is the O2 ($150 assembled) with D2000/D5000.  Neither of these amps get even close to your $400 mark though.  I also want to emphasize that I haven't heard any of them.  I got this info from responses in the D2000 / D5000 appreciation thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/350721/denon-d2000-d5000-md2000-md5000-appreciation-thread/1875#post_8213230
 
I am also curious as to what other people have actually heard sound good with the headphones you mentioned, as I am looking for a good solid state desktop amp for them.

 

 

[hodgjy]

As a standalone amp, the HiFiMan EF2 is pretty good.  The DAC leaves much to be desired, but the amp section is actually pretty nice.  It performs well above its price point.

 

[upstateguy]

Quote:

As the title states! I'm looking for a lush sounding tube amp specifically for my Denons and Grado's for less than 400ish. Whats your pick?
 
 

 
 

 
Quote:

I have read that Little Dot I+ (around $150 shipped from China) is good with D2000/D5000.  I just got one myself, but my D2000 are still on back order, so I can't actually comment on whether it sounds any good or not.  I have read enough people using this combo that I decided to take the plunge.  Another option that I heard was good is the O2 ($150 assembled) with D2000/D5000.  Neither of these amps get even close to your $400 mark though.  I also want to emphasize that I haven't heard any of them.  I got this info from responses in the D2000 / D5000 appreciation thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/350721/denon-d2000-d5000-md2000-md5000-appreciation-thread/1875#post_8213230
 
I am also curious as to what other people have actually heard sound good with the headphones you mentioned, as I am looking for a good solid state desktop amp for them.

The O2 is not lush, nor is it a tube amp.   You could EQ it or DSP it to sound the way you like it, but by it's nature, it's a wire with gain sounding piece of kit.

 

[hodgjy]

Another option is the Bellari HA540.

 

[MrTwyst]

I like the Schiit Lyr (keeping in mind that eventually I will upgrade to orthos, I wanted to get a beefier amp than the Asgard or Valhalla).
 
Currently, I run Ultrasone 900s (40 ohm) and Senn 650s (300 ohm) on it.
 
If you do get the Lyr, avoid the JJs tubes.

 

[Magick Man]

The HiFiMan EF-5, I use it to power my D7000 and D2000, it sounds amazing.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HMEF5

Another option is the afore mentioned Little Dot I+. It isn't nearly as stout as the EF5, but it handles low impedance cans like the D2000s. This is actually the amp I bought for my dad as part of his birthday present to drive his D2000s. It's a very impressive little amp for the money, one of the best values out there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250677955752?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_5320wt_1396

I bought mine from that guy. $139 shipped and he used DHL with tracking, got it in 4 days. Before long you'll want some better tubes, however. The cheap Chinese tubes that come standard are rather poor. Not a big deal, though. Good inexpensive EF95 tubes can be had for <$15 /pair.

 

[haejuk]

If I were to upgrade from my Little Dot 1+, I would probably be looking at an EF-5.  That thing has a low enough output impedance to properly dampen the Denons, which is something that a lot of tube amps lack.

 

[vinokurov]

del

 

[Fearless1]

Hifiman EF-5 sounds great with low imp cans, that is why i keep it around.