[TRapz]

Hi all,
I have a turntable, the ATLP60 (it has a built in pre-amp), and need an amp for it. I primarily listen with my Grado SR80i; a can that doesn't really need to be amped, however I need one so I can actually listen from my turntable. The SR80i is pretty bright and I'd like to tame that a little with a warmer amp. One problem is, I also want to be able to use this amp for future headphones (am considering the HE-400i), so I'll need some power without the amp being too much for my Grados. I'm assuming I'll need something with high and low gain. At the moment I'm mainly looking at the FiiO E12 and the Schiit Vali. I'd personally like to try out tubes, and the Vali sounds warmer than the E12 from reviews.
 
I'm not terribly well-versed on amps and this will be my first; I don't need a portable amp but wouldn't mind one. Either desktop or portable is fine. I'll be using this from a FiiO X1, and eventually from my computer once I get a DAC (possibly a Modi). Any recommendations and responses would be very helpful; please don't hesitate to ask for some more information. Thanks for reading.

 

[cel4145]

As a desktop amp, the Vali is a better amp than the E12.

For tube desktop amps, you might also consider the Little Dot I+. The advantage of it over the Vali is that you can change the tubes if you want to get into that. There's a whole thread dedicated to different tubes for it: http://www.head-fi.org/t/364043/little-dot-i-tube-rolling

 

[BobMonkhouse]

I believe a JDS cMoyBB will suit OP's needs. While it's not the most resolving inexpensive amp, it's very well balanced, warm and smooth sounding, provides plenty of power, and has a gain and bass boost switches.

 

[cel4145]

I believe a JDS cMoyBB will suit OP's needs. While it's not the most resolving inexpensive amp, it's very well balanced, warm and smooth sounding, provides plenty of power, and has a gain and bass boost switches.

Probably not a good choice for the HE-400i, though (which the OP is considering getting).

 

[BobMonkhouse]

I haven't heard the HE-400i, so you could be right. I suggested the cMoy with its sound signature in mind, and that it has enough power to drive my K612 well with little effort keeping the dial at about 12 on high gain. But HE-400i could be more demanding.

 

[cel4145]

I haven't heard the HE-400i, so you could be right. I suggested the cMoy with its sound signature in mind, and that it has enough power to drive my K612 well with little effort keeping the dial at about 12 on high gain. But HE-400i could be more demanding.

I read a review of the CMOY's technical performance which analyzed it's electronics (not a subjective review) that says the lack of a gain structure makes it problematic for low impedance, low sensitivity headphones.

 

[Sam21]

I second little dot I+ ... there are endless tubes compatible with the little dot I+. you can try different tubes and then choose a pair that you like. Little Dot i+ is hybrid, for tube only look into Little dot II or III and Schiit Valhalla 2.

 

[TRapz]

  I second little dot I+ ... there are endless tubes compatible with the little dot I+. you can try different tubes and then choose a pair that you like. Little Dot i+ is hybrid, for tube only look into Little dot II or III and Schiit Valhalla 2.

I looked at the Little Dot I+, and it's a little above my price range, especially now that I've found the E12 at a lower price than a Vali. The high and low gain on the E12 is attractive, and now that I think about it more, the portability is as well.

As a desktop amp, the Vali is a better amp than the E12.

For tube desktop amps, you might also consider the Little Dot I+. The advantage of it over the Vali is that you can change the tubes if you want to get into that. There's a whole thread dedicated to different tubes for it: http://www.head-fi.org/t/364043/little-dot-i-tube-rolling

I am highly interested in tube rolling, however it seems I have less and less to spend as the days go on; I may be able to buy something for close to $100 by the end of this week, and I've found an E12 on sale that I can afford. The bass boost feature on the E12 is useful for different headphones (I don't believe I'll need it on the HE-400i), which could be replaced by tube rolling, but again, $130+ really is tricky to pull off at the moment. Because of the price, I think I'll have to go with the E12. If the price goes back up, I'll try to save for the Little Dot, as for $130 it seems like the better option than the E12, even though it isn't portable.

 

[Sam21]

"I looked at the Little Dot I+, and it's a little above my price range, especially now that I've found the E12 at a lower price than a Vali. The high and low gain on the E12 is attractive, and now that I think about it more, the portability is as well."
 
the little dot I+  also has an internal gain switch. Also bear in mind that E12 is a weaker amp than Vali and little dot i+, it is not just the sound signature that matters when it comes to amps, the output power is a more important property.

 

[TRapz]

the little dot I+  also has an internal gain switch. Also bear in mind that E12 is a weaker amp than Vali and little dot i+, it is not just the sound signature that matters when it comes to amps, the output power is a more important property

I've been told the E12 will be enough to power the HE-400i, and from some research, it appears to be able to. For me, at the moment, the sound signature is very important; my Grados are bright and I'd really like the treble to be tamed just a bit. 
 
I am, however, becoming more interested in the Little Dot. Again, my concern is the price; does anyone recommend anything cheaper with removable tubes? I understand some of the cheaper tube amps can sound off or even bad, and I'd like to get something good without paying a ton. It appears, from reviews, that the stock tubes in the Little Dot should be replaced, likely with GE tubes that cost $10 each; this brings my total to $156 or higher, much more than I wanted to pay.

 

[cel4145]

I've been told the E12 will be enough to power the HE-400i, and from some research, it appears to be able to. For me, at the moment, the sound signature is very important; my Grados are bright and I'd really like the treble to be tamed just a bit. 

I had the HE-400 (not the i). Yes. The E12 would power it well at moderate volumes. But I found it a bit wanting when I wanted to crank it up. Just not quite enough juice.

 

[Sam21]

http://www.amazon.com/Bravo-Audio-Ocean-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QKSVI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434497753&sr=8-1&keywords=bravo+ocean&pebp=1434497752753&perid=17VHDE8A401K9NW0GQXK
 
 
this one seems to be good, at one time I considered buying it. I am unsure how much power it outputs.

 

[Lorspeaker]

Be patient....save up for what u really D E S I R E

 

[TRapz]

  http://www.amazon.com/Bravo-Audio-Ocean-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QKSVI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434497753&sr=8-1&keywords=bravo+ocean&pebp=1434497752753&perid=17VHDE8A401K9NW0GQXK
 
this one seems to be good, at one time I considered buying it. I am unsure how much power it outputs.

The Ocean is very interesting. I may have forgot to mention, it's possible that I have access to many different types of tubes for free. A family friend has a bunch of vintage radio tubes- I have no clue what brands, models, sizes, or how they sound though.
 

Be patient....save up for what u really D E S I R E

I think I just might. I saw a review of the Little Dot, explaining how it was perfect for Grados, which really hooked me. And I do have the money, but I've loaned it to a family member and may not be payed back in full (might not be able to get more than $120 or so) until the end of July. 
 
I'm looking mainly at the Ocean, Little Dot, and E12 at the moment. I have to see what I can afford, preferably soon, as I'm a student on summer vacation and school really takes away a lot of listening time, especially from my record player because I get interrupted more often and can't listen to a full album as often.
 
The Little Dot and E12 are the most interesting at the moment; the E12 because of price, the Little Dot because of performance.

 

[cel4145]

Interesting that Bravo does not provide any power output ratings or the low output impedance: http://www.bravoaudio.com/Bravo%20Ocean.html.

So hard to know if the low output impedance is optimal for Grados or HE-400i. And it had a lot of power, one would imagine it would probably list it. Which makes it suspect (to me) for powering the HE-400i. Perhaps you can find a review where someone has measured its capabilities.