Tube amp for around $500.
Oct 6, 2014 at 2:14 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 17
whorn

whorn

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I am looking a new tube amp, for maximum $600. My budget is more like $500, but I would be willing to go up to 600 if it would make a difference.  I have Ultrasone Pro 750 headphones. My current tube amp is the Little Dot MK 2 with Mullard EF91/6AM6 tubes and stock power tubes.  My DAC is a Schiit Modi.  Also, would I need to get a better DAC to take advantage of a better amp, if so it would need to be in the $600 budget with the amp.  The tubes also need to be in that budget.  The new amp do not have to use my current tubes. If you need anymore info please let me know. Thank you in advance.
 
Oct 6, 2014 at 8:32 AM Post #2 of 17
You'll want an amp with an output impedance of less than 5 ohms. The Bottlehead S.E.X. is what I'd go for. However, I'd consider upgrading your headphones first, as you'll see a bigger improvement there. 'Carriage before the horse', as it's said.
 
Oct 7, 2014 at 1:58 PM Post #4 of 17
You can buy them used or have someone make them for you. You'll get much more out of better transducers than your amp. Transducers probably define 85-90% of the sound you hear.
 
Oct 9, 2014 at 1:22 PM Post #6 of 17
You should have a look at the Mingda MC84 it is a Class A and impedance selectable.
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Meixing-Mingda-MC84-EAR-Valve-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-Class-A/2043656573.html
 
 
The impedance of the 'Sones will make your choices hard, the next option would be a Lyr 2 which is another hybrid or up your budget to the Woo Audio WA6...
 
Oct 9, 2014 at 1:29 PM Post #7 of 17
jodgey4 said:
  You'll want an amp with an output impedance of less than 5 ohms. The Bottlehead S.E.X. is what I'd go for. However, I'd consider upgrading your headphones first, as you'll see a bigger improvement there. 'Carriage before the horse', as it's said.
Click to expand...

True words right there...
 
Oct 9, 2014 at 2:30 PM Post #9 of 17
No body said anything about too much treble... The 'Sones are V shaped, and all I use my HFI-780's for are EDM portables.
 
Oct 9, 2014 at 3:24 PM Post #10 of 17
I know, but in a few reviews and when I first bought them they were had too much treble before burning them in. I was asking what is wrong with my current headphones.
 
Oct 9, 2014 at 3:34 PM Post #11 of 17
Low impedance headphones like yours do not mesh well with OTL tube amps, you either need a Hybrid or a Class A with output transformers.
 
Upgrading to 300/600 Ohm headphones would be a better choice for OTL tube amplifiers.
 
Oct 9, 2014 at 3:58 PM Post #13 of 17
The Little Dot MK II should be fine it will drive 300 Ohm headphones easily but I don't know how well it will work with 600 Ohm versions.
 
I have the Little Dot MK IV and run it with the gain set to 5. It drives my DT880 Pro 250 Ohm very nicely and I rarely have to move the volume control past 11 o'clock.
 
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