[nkk]

One of my potential fraternity brothers has an HD600. He has been using his Macbook Pro HP out. Needless to say, when I heard of this, I offered to let him try my Compass. Well, now he is intent on buying an amp very soon, and has asked me to help.

The requirements are:
-able to drive HD600 at least as well as the Compass
-$300 tops, although the way he said this led me to believe a little slack is available to get good music.
-A built in DAC or the price goes down to $200 so that he can get pretty good external DAC (gamma 1? please feel free to suggest this, too).

I have given him some recommendations, and he is visiting head-fi, but I am posting this query for him to make sure everything is considered.

I have recommended the Compass so far, but what are the other options? Both tube and SS, as I do not think he has decided which he wants.

Thank you,
Nkk

 

[jjinh]

the compass is currently on sale at 280usd - i think that's a good deal and a good place to start.

 

[nkk]

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Nkk

 

[Cool_Torpedo]

A used Pico DAC/amp could be an excellent choice, just a matter of time to get one for the right price.

 

[nkk]

Can a pico really drive the HD600 as well as the Compass?

-Nkk

 

[Cool_Torpedo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can a pico really drive the HD600 as well as the Compass? -Nkk

I can't say, I haven't listened the Compass, but if your friend wants something sounding like the Compass, then he'd better buy one

All I know is the Pico does a more than decent job with the HD600 for a portable.
Another good option possibly into his budget is a used X-Cans V2. Not many for sale lately, but I think it can be found in the $200 range.

 

[nkk]

The point is not to sound like the compass. The point is that he has heard the Compass, and if he spends $300 on something that sounds not as good (especially with the HD600, b/c I do not think he is upgrading those soon), then it is not an optimal purchase.

SO, any other suggestions?

-Nkk

PS: I like your avatar, Torpedo.

 

[Cool_Torpedo]

Thanks. Point taken. Not having listened to the Compass myself makes irrelevant any recommendation, maybe it's very good and other amps I've tried aren't up to its performance.