Source... done. Headphones... done. Amplifier... ???

[Solude]

The wife has strongly suggested that I reenter my headphone hobby and I need some help chosing an amp. I've settled on an E-Mu 1212m as a source, already bought and way better than my Arcam CD72T. Also fairly certain I will grab a pair of Beyer DT880 since during my last round of trials I preferred it over the Grado 325 and Senn 600. The 650 crossed my mind but I hated the 600 so chances are the 650 won't be my cup of tea either.

But then there is the amp. I'd like to not spend a fortune since this will be my 'wife still in bed' or 'wife watching tv' system. The rest of the time it's speaker time. On the last go at it I only got to try a Maxed Meta42 and although it had more volume than my M-Audio Revo but it didn't sound any better. At least not noticably better. So while I don't want to spend 400+ on an amp I get the feeling there might not be anything out there for less that offers more than just more volume over the E-Mu output.

Any recommendations? Headsave Classic? Corda HA1-MKII? Gilmore Lite? PPA? SinglePower PPX3? Rega Ear? ASL Head MKIII? Thanks.

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude The wife has strongly suggested that I reenter my headphone hobby and I need some help chosing an amp.

congrats on the headphone supportive wife... dont let her get away

 

[sacd lover]

Any recommendations? Headsave Classic? Corda HA1-MKII? Gilmore Lite? PPA? SinglePower PPX3? Rega Ear? ASL Head MKIII? Thanks.

If size isnt an issue and you dont mind tubes, I think the ppx3 is the best amp anywhere around $400. If you need something real small and/or solid state, the new gilmore lite is very good sounding. I had a pair of dt 880's and I liked them best by far with my gilmore v1. The new lite sounds very much like the gilmore v1, only even more transparent.

 

[Solude]

I never understood that. You love the Beyer with the Gilmore V1 but not V2? Isn't the V2 just a chassis change? Amp and PS in one box? The Lite is an interesting choice but if the V2 doesn't have it in the lower registers how could the Lite with a lesser PS out perform it? Not trying to pick a fight just curious having heard none of the Gilmore amps.

Some say the Corda amps are perfect because of bass and midrange emphasis other say tubes are a no no because the grainy treble makes the Beyer accentuated treble more obvious. Sigh.

 

[sacd lover]

I never understood that. You love the Beyer with the Gilmore V1 but not V2? Isn't the V2 just a chassis change? Amp and PS in one box? The Lite is an interesting choice but if the V2 doesn't have it in the lower registers how could the Lite with a lesser PS out perform it? Not trying to pick a fight just curious having heard none of the Gilmore amps.



Your summary of my opinions is correct. The v1 does have different wire(SOLID CORE) and a different bias setting so its not just a chassis change, but the big difference seems to be getting the power supply away from the electronics. Again, what this does I dont know, but its easy to hear the v1 is much warmer and more powerful sounding. I really like the v1 and dont really care for the v2; although it doesnt sound bad. The new gilmore lite has the big and powerful sound like the v1. How he gets that from that little power supply I dont know. But, I had the v1 and lite in identical setups using the lites loop out and the lite rocks. It is just as fast and punchy and even more transparent. SeanH has the lite right now and we are going to do a joint review together. I dont want to give out to many impressions but give Sean a pm and see what he says.