[Neobenedict]

Hi all,
 
I'm looking for a headphone amp + (usb) DAC for a pair of DT 880s (600 ohm) that I will be purchasing that performs well with electronic music ie drum & bass as well as dubstep (not skrillex-dubstep). I have about £300 for both ($500, but bear in mind things are more expensive here in the UK). I've looked at mainly schiit's products (lyr/valhalla), however there are very few suppliers near the UK (and they all charge twice the US cost) that I can find and shipping overseas is very expensive. I don't mind tubes, but from what I've heard for my budget a solid state amp is a better choice.
 
Thanks

 

[PurpleAngel]

EHP-O2D Miniature Desktop Headphone Amplifier with USB DAC, 166 GBP.
http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/products-page/dacs/ehp-o2d-miniature-desktop-headphone-amplifier-with-usb-dac/
 
AKG K-612 Pro Headphones, $108 GBP.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/akg_k_612_pro.htm

 

[cel4145]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a headphone amp + (usb) DAC for a pair of DT 880s (600 ohm) that I will be purchasing that performs well with electronic music ie drum & bass as well as dubstep (not skrillex-dubstep).

That cracked me up. Even my 14 year old son, who is into drum and bass and dubstep, complains about skrillex (lol).

The EHP-O2D that purple angel recommended is as good or better than the Schiit Modi/Magni stack, only you can get it cheaper because of the UK vendor. It's the same as the ODAC and Objective 2 amp that is regularly recommended on Head-Fi (Epiphany Acoustics give it their own model number).

For the price of the DT880 600s, you should also look into the HE-400s (Amazon UK carries them). Amazing headphones for electronic music.

Check out this review: http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_HE400

And here is the same reviewer describing the DT880s: http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared-update-audeze-lcd-2-revision-2-6-4-13#user_DT880

 

[Neobenedict]

Thank you for your suggestions.
Quote:

For the price of the DT880 600s, you should also look into the HE-400s (Amazon UK carries them). Amazing headphones for electronic music.

£300 is slightly too much - I looked at the DT 880s and I may be able to get them for £150-£200. If I can't, I will consider the HE-400s as well.

 

[cel4145]

If that does happen, check and see what Head Direct or Razordog (who has some b-stock for a good price) would charge to ship to you.

 

[Neobenedict]

Does anyone have experience with http://mav-audio.com/store/ 's products? Specifically the D1/A1 combo, they look good for the price ($500 exactly including import fees). I'll do some more research into them before considering them of course.

 

[cel4145]

I have the Tubemagic D1. Pretty good sound quality for headphones, and it works well as a pre-amp for hooking up my speakers. I think the ODAC and the Objective 2 is a better sounding DAC/headphone amp setup. I can also recommend this Indeed digital amp if you are looking for a small desktop amp to power passive speakers.

 

[Neobenedict]

I have the Tubemagic D1. Pretty good sound quality for headphones, and it works well as a pre-amp for hooking up my speakers. I think the ODAC and the Objective 2 is a better sounding DAC/headphone amp setup. I can also recommend this Indeed digital amp if you are looking for a small desktop amp to power passive speakers.

What's the difference between a D1 and a D2+A1? Would a D2+A1 be able to power some speakers as well? If so, this would be really good as I could buy a few small bookshelf speakers as well to replace the ones I have borrowed.

 

[cel4145]

The A1 has a speaker amplifier for powering passive speakers. The D1 has pre-outs for plugging up powered monitors but no speaker amplifier. This is why I suggested the D1 coupled with the Indeed amplifier if you want to hook up passive speakers.

 

[rodomo]

you could try the new yulong d200 for about 600$ on grant fidelity, or a compass 2 of audio gd is also very good. 

 

[Neobenedict]

The A1 has a speaker amplifier for powering passive speakers. The D1 has pre-outs for plugging up powered monitors but no speaker amplifier. This is why I suggested the D1 coupled with the Indeed amplifier if you want to hook up passive speakers.

 

This review: http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/maverick_a1_e.html seems to suggest that the A1 is not the best amp for what I want to use it for. I'll look for others.