[ImMersion]

there are quite a few head-amps on ebay....a lot of art audio amps like this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3278


are these any good?? is there a reason why no one uses these?


or what about this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

 

[ImMersion]

or what about some AudioTechnica ampage?
http://www.audiocubes.com/product_in...roducts_id=143

 

[erikzen]

The first one is passive for use with a PA system (amp). It has no power of its own to drive headphones.

The next one says "headphone pre-amp" right on it so I assume it also has no power of it's own.

The third one looks like an amp but I've never heard it.

 

[purk]

You can do a search on that AT amp. From memory, the member state that the Cmoy design walks all over the 59 dollars AT.

 

[fewtch]

To give some perspective on "studio type" headphone amps in this price range -- I have a Rolls HA-43 amp. Solid and well built, but off the shelf with the provided wall wart it sounds to my ears like a cheap PCDP output... warm, undetailed and generally low-fi. With a linear regulated wall wart, the warmth goes away and it gains more detail, but the sound becomes bright and a little harsh as well. Still sounds pretty cheap, just not quite as cheap. I was using it with my turntable for awhile, but I pulled out a 1980's Sony power amp I had in the closet and its headphone jack sounds markedly better than the Rolls (actually pretty decent sounding, good synergy with my vintage preamp).

Anyway... can't speak for these other inexpensive studio-type amps, but that's my experience with the Rolls HA-43. According to another head-fi member (PinkFloyd) the B-Tech BT928 is pretty good as far as really low cost headphone amps go (can be found for sale by doing a Google search -- in the USA, try here).

Edit -- aha, I see one of your auction links is to the BT928. That might be a decent choice for someone on a tight budget, in lieu of a Mint or Meta42 (according to PinkFloyd's findings, anyway).

 

[ImMersion]

does anyone know where i can pick up a B-Tech BT-928???

a search on google yeilded no stores, but a modding tuturial that says it sounds as good as the Xcan v.2 afterwords


EDIT: I meant "does anyone know where i can pick up a B-Tech BT-928???" for cheaper than what btech offers.