[chinesekiwi]

Well, what's in the thread title really. Solid-state or tubed, I don't mind.
I prefer synergy over anything else. I've looked up search but most of the threads are 2007 and 2006ish and there might of been new amps on the block that I might consider since then.

Thanks. It's just that I'm concerned my current H5 might not give the DT880's justice.

 

[andychen]

little dot MKIII, I listened to a DT880 and MKII combo before and I thought they are really good. with your budget, MKIII is the way to go.

 

[Maxvla]

Grats on the '03s!

I'll second the LD MKIII. Hard to beat at it's price range and so far they've been excellent to deal with.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I haven't heard a Little Dot, but I got a listen with an Eddie Current Lunchbox II at a recent meet. It sounded pretty good and it's in your price range.

 

[mow_the_hawk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I haven't heard a Little Dot, but I got a listen with an Eddie Current Lunchbox II at a recent meet. It sounded pretty good and it's in your price range.

I hate to steal your thread, but Uncle Erik, do you know if the Lunchbox works well with most headphones?

 

[pataburd]

Darkvoice 336i, on the used FS threads. It imparts a welcome warmth to the DT880's midrange, a nice sense of air/space, nice bass, smooth highs . . . I miss that combination! : )

 

[Spareribs]

Go for a Dark Voice. It's the best budget amp I've heard so far brotha.

 

[Gollie]

The Darkvoice 336i is a fantastic amp. I have owned one for about a year w/ no complaints.

 

[chinesekiwi]

I dunno 'bout the MKIII reading this:

Quote:

MKIII vs. Corda Headfive (both are rather similar except in the following areas) MKIII: * Larger bass presence * Better soundstage * Mids are more silky Headfive: * Better upper-mids * Better lower-highs * More transparent

mmmmmm......

Little Dot MK III: An Exclusive Review

A proper they-know-what-they're-doing review as well.
The MKIII is significantly more expensive than my H5 as well I bought (I think I was at least the third owner of mine) for ~$150 US.

EDIT: Reading up, and considering my source is an X-fi Prelude, I would think the Prelude would bottleneck the rest of the setup with a Little Dot Mark III.
See, synergy concerns. I should of posted that as well.

 

[Maxvla]

MKIII is $199 US on eBay, not 'significantly' more expensive than $150 really.

MKIII or DV 336i are probably your safest bets, of course there are tons of other amps out there so good luck with your searching!

Just noticed your edit: Perhaps time to upgrade source also?

 

[SprySpectre]

Have the MKII and the DT880's...I can only imagine the MKIII will be better!

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxvla /img/forum/go_quote.gif MKIII is $199 US on eBay, not 'significantly' more expensive than $150 really. MKIII or DV 336i are probably your safest bets, of course there are tons of other amps out there so good luck with your searching! Just noticed your edit: Perhaps time to upgrade source also?

Could really only upgrade the front opamp tbh unless I buy an external DAC as well since I need the gaming aspect of the X-fi Prelude.
Buying an external DAC will result in me selling the Prelude tbh as it basically rendered useless if I only use the gaming aspect of it when I could buy a X-fi Xtremegamer to fit that need = a lot of hassle.

Also it doesn't factor in shipping and OMG >.< exchange rate atm (gone down 7 cents in the last week vs. The US).

 

[chinesekiwi]

Anyone heard of the Bada PH-30 (not the more known PH-12 on here) or Cyrus IIIi?

 

[Maxvla]

Well, considering you live in NZ perhaps it would be cheaper for you with exchange rates to buy directly from Little Dot exchanging NZ $ for Chinese currency. Don't know if that would help or not though.

 

[pataburd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyone heard of the Bada PH-30 (not the more known PH-12 on here) or Cyrus IIIi?

I've had an excellent experience with the D2000/Bada PH-12 combination; ditto for the D5000. : )