What are the versatile amps that can handle most headphones well?

[DrJon]

I’m starting to research headphone amps. I’ve found various ones that look fun and seem to sound good with certain headphones. But it appears that most can’t handle all headphones well. The Grados headphones seem to be problematic, a bit. I guess they need some decent power. I’ll want to get an amp that will be good for the future- if I decide to change headphones, I won’t have to upgrade the amp as well. Just get a good one now. What do you folks like?

The only one I’ve read about that seems to handle all headphones well is the Mapletree Ear+ HD. That’s an option if it’s really that good. There are others that seem appealing, but maybe can’t handle most headphones well: Gilmore Lite v.2, Corda Aria, Heed Can Amp 2, Emmeline SR-71, Dared MP5, Darkvoice, Little Dots, Woo Audio 3. Just looking for some more versatile amps I should be considering. Tube and solid state are both in the running at this point. Thanks.

 

[Gradofan2]

It all depends on how much you want to spend.

If you have a significant budget - the Singlepower amps reportedly drive both high and low impedence headphones well (e.g. PPX3 Slam, MPX3 Slam, etc.).

If not... then you really should be considering the XCAN v3 (a tube hybrid for about $300), or the Mapletree EAR+ Purist HD (SET tube for about $600).

If you don't mind SS amps, the Heed CanAmp is reported to be outstanding at about $400, or perhaps the Ray Samuels HR2 for about $900.

As for me... I must have tubes in the signal path - just much more involving, realistic sound, which can be taylored to your preferences by swapping tubes.

They're are several more... if you can limit yourself to either high impedence, or low impedence phones (e.g. WooAudio 3, BADA PH12, Cayin HA-1A, etc.).

 

[DrJon]

Thanks for the thoughts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 if you can limit yourself to either high impedence, or low impedence phones

I'm trying not to limit myself to any type of headphone. Just buy a good amp that will work well with most headphones. So I don't get the itch to upgrade later. Is that even possible? I can see myself trying different headphone types. Idunno...

 

[Cirventhor]

The GS-1 is a pretty versatile amp, with a gain switch as well.

 

[granodemostasa]

the singlepower amps, the Zana Deux, the Larocco PRII, the M3, and the headroom max all are fine with any headphone.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 It all depends on how much you want to spend. If you have a significant budget - the Singlepower amps reportedly drive both high and low impedence headphones well (e.g. PPX3 Slam, MPX3 Slam, etc.). If not... then you really should be considering the XCAN v3 (a tube hybrid for about $300), or the Mapletree EAR+ Purist HD (SET tube for about $600). If you don't mind SS amps, the Heed CanAmp is reported to be outstanding at about $400, or perhaps the Ray Samuels HR2 for about $900. As for me... I must have tubes in the signal path - just much more involving, realistic sound, which can be taylored to your preferences by swapping tubes. They're are several more... if you can limit yourself to either high impedence, or low impedence phones (e.g. WooAudio 3, BADA PH12, Cayin HA-1A, etc.).

Nicely written, of course you know I am very partial the Mapletree.

I should say that if you get a chance to try the Heed CanAmp you will be so surprised. It sounds awesome!

 

[TomH]

All my cans work well with the G-Lite and Micro/DM, inlcuding the IEMs. The Total Bithead works pretty well with all but the most demanding (300ohm+ units) and is a particularly good match with HD595s. Between them, it is more about personal taste and feature sets.

 

[DrJon]

Thanks for the thoughts, fellas. That gives me some things to look into. From my reading so far, the two favorites might be the Mapletree Ear+ HD. Loks pretty nice. If I were to go solid state, maybe the Heed. I've got mroe reading to do.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'm not familiar with the Heed, but I have found that the Gilmore Lite/Dynalo (the Dynalo is DIY) does well with all of the headphones I own. For the price (Gilmore Lite/$300, Dynalo/$120 or so), it's an excellent amp. Neutral, clean and enough power. I think it is one of the best values out there.

 

[utarch00]

Second the MicroAmp. It also has a gain switch.

 

[utarch00]

Sorry

 

[utarch00]

Sorry

 

[abeautifulife]

The Corda Prehead is a very versatile amp with headphone jacks of differing impedance (0 & 120 ohm), crossfeed setting, treble / bass settings, gain setting as well... powerful enough to drive most headphones including K1000s (although Jan Meier did say he slightly preferred using a RKV with the K1ks)...

 

[nelamvr6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrJon I’m starting to research headphone amps. I’ve found various ones that look fun and seem to sound good with certain headphones. But it appears that most can’t handle all headphones well. The Grados headphones seem to be problematic, a bit. I guess they need some decent power. I’ll want to get an amp that will be good for the future- if I decide to change headphones, I won’t have to upgrade the amp as well. Just get a good one now. What do you folks like? The only one I’ve read about that seems to handle all headphones well is the Mapletree Ear+ HD. That’s an option if it’s really that good. There are others that seem appealing, but maybe can’t handle most headphones well: Gilmore Lite v.2, Corda Aria, Heed Can Amp 2, Emmeline SR-71, Dared MP5, Darkvoice, Little Dots, Woo Audio 3. Just looking for some more versatile amps I should be considering. Tube and solid state are both in the running at this point. Thanks.

This hasn't been my experience, I found the Sennheisers to be a little more problematic to drive than the Grados. The Grados I have are fairly efficient and easy to drive. I no longer have them but I had a pair of HD-580's. They weren't too much trouble for my amp, but they did take a little more juice than my Grados.

Having said that, I was able to drive both the 580's and my Grados with my CIA VHP-1.
_

 

[Bob_McBob]

Dynahi