Recommend me an amp for Grado SR-80 and SR-225

[DRSpeed85]

Instead of buying a new DAP, I decided to keep using my PDA but add a proper headphone amp, which I think will result in better improvement in SQ.

Anyway I am looking at the Supermacro V.3, but I'm not sure if it is overkill for my $90 Grado SR80s. But then again, I plan to upgrade to SR225s by winter so perhaps it will spare the need to replace my amp again by then.

I would like to hear some recommendations of head amps other than the supermacro to something that match better with Grado headphones. My Budget is about $350.

Cheers,

 

[cmirza]

Do you want portable or stationary?
Short of an Emmeline SR-71 (~$400), I think the Supermacro V.3 is your best bet for a portable solution. If you don't care about portability, I would definately go for a Gilmore Lite (http://www.headamp.com/lite.shtml).

 

[DRSpeed85]

It doesnt really matter whether it is portable or not. I spend most of my listening indoors so it's not much of an issue. I never get too serious with SQ while on the go.

 

[cmirza]

Get the Gilmore Lite then. For the $300 you'll get an amp that will be able to power any other headphone you may purchase in the future. Then you can forget about future amp purchases for a while and focus on a quality DAC and maybe more headphones.