[darkswordsman17]

Ok, I'm looking at amps, and have only two real requirements.

First, the price, $250, which isn't firm, as I might consider going a bit higher if it would fit my second requirement better, but keep it in that ballpark. Used isn't an issue (in fact, I'd probably say I prefer used due to being able to get better value for the money). For me personally, for the time being, that is about my sweetspot for amp, which is about equal to the headphones I'll be using with it.

The second requirement is the versatility. I plan on trying out several headphones in the ~$250 range, and would prefer not to have to factor in switching amps and source (as I want to compare them relatively equally). I know I won't be able to find one that will really go well with each or maybe even all of them, but I'd like to get a pretty decent one so that I'm not totally missing out.

Here's the list of headphones I plan on checking out:
Beyerdynamic DT770/880/990
AKG K501/601/701, K340
Audio-Technica (a few from the A and AD series)
Denon (don't know their models nomenclature)
Sennhesier 580/600/650
Grado (probably everything that I can find $300 and under)
(Open to other suggestions that I might be overlooking)

Yes, I know some of those lie outside the price, but that's what I'm hoping to check out. Now, again, I understand I'm not going to find some magic amp at this price that will excel with all of those, and also I do understand that some of them are very dependent on the amp as to how they sound overall (so I won't judge them too unfairly if they don't live up to expectations).

 

[jbloudg20]

http://www.headphone.com/products/he...-micro-amp.php

There is your source and amp all in one.

 

[Dash]

Meier Audio "Move"

 

[Chrispy]

from firestore audio, there is the cute series, for $170. And the Foobar III, which is the Fubar II DAC and Cute Beyond in one box.

 

[uraflit]

i think the OP meant versatility as in "good for all headphones," and not in portability if i'm not mistaken. most would say your crazy to ask that here with only ~$250... but i would say go for an all-in-one box solution like the EMU 0404USB, used Corda Aria, etc.

 

[Agent Kang]

I recently saw a used Heed go for 280.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uraflit /img/forum/go_quote.gif i think the OP meant versatility as in "good for all headphones," and not in portability if i'm not mistaken. most would say your crazy to ask that here with only ~$250... but i would say go for an all-in-one box solution like the EMU 0404USB, used Corda Aria, etc.

Yeah, more or less, which one would be powerful enough to drive a K340 reasonably well, but still sound good. It doesn't need a DAC or anything like that, and portability isn't a concern at all, so just an amp.

In a way, a more appropriate question might be, what characteristics should I look for? Due to the variety of headphones, should it be a neutral? Maybe I should consider two lower ones (ones that go for ~$150 used), with each one offering different sound characteristics than the other?

I knew it would be difficult at this price point, just kinda seeing what I might be able to figure out. Maybe I'll reconsider what headphones to try out. To be honest, I don't think the Sennheiser sound signature if for me (had HD280/555/595/580 and wasn't a big fan of any of them after trying other headphones), and I'll probably only try out the lower Grados (SR60/80). I would really like to try out the DT880/990 (already have a DT770 so I know what its about), the K701 and K340, the Denon (I think its the AD2000?), and then some of the Audio-Technicas. The AKG ones seem like they'd be the difficult ones.

Oh, and sorry for not being more clear and being so wordy.

 

[kramer5150]

DIY amps... wait out the F/S forum for an M3, millet hybrid, pimeta or PPAV2 with variable bass boost. You should be able to land one with a wall wart P/S for $250-300. $350 range gets you into a Steps P/S, and component-sized enclosure. Pick a design with socketable OP amps so you can fine tune the sound.

Any of these are more than adequate for the cans on your list, and because they are DIY, you avoid the retailer mark-ups. Buy them from a reputable builder and they easily rival the build quality of any of the sponsored products.

A cmoy with the right parts and power configuration can rival any of the $100-300 portable amps.

IMHO anyone on a tight budget, wanting the most bang for their buck should proceed this route first.

 

[holland]

Don't forget the C2KIII. Cheaper to build, and cheaper tag than the M3. It supposedly has a better sound as well, from the reviews I've read. You can get it at a good price from a reputable builder like MisterX. The parts alone on the C2KIII or M3 will run ~$120-$160 with C2KIII being cheaper. I'm going to try building my own C2KIII and save the builder route for something hardcore, like the Beta22.

 

[twc5964]

Z-Audio Lambda...kick butt little amp for an outstanding price

 

[Zorander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkswordsman17 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, more or less, which one would be powerful enough to drive a K340 reasonably well, but still sound good. It doesn't need a DAC or anything like that, and portability isn't a concern at all, so just an amp.

Within the $250 range, the Original Master has the power to drive the K340 (the hardest-to-drive phone in your list). The Heed is also a good match for the phones though you have to hunt for a used unit at that price.

Cheers!

 

[musicmind]

I had read a thread yesterday that the Original Master has been discontinued.

How about getting the Marantz CD5001 CD-player with its headphone out?
http://us.marantz.com/Products/1154.asp
Once you decide which headphone you like, you can get an headphone amp that synergises well with that headphone, and still have a decent CD player to use. Just an idea..

 

[kramer5150]

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmind /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had read a thread yesterday that the Original Master has been discontinued. How about getting the Marantz CD5001 CD-player with its headphone out? http://us.marantz.com/Products/1154.asp Once you decide which headphone you like, you can get an headphone amp that synergises well with that headphone, and still have a decent CD player to use. Just an idea..

This is great advice, and worth considering IMHO

 

[darkswordsman17]

Oh, sorry I forgot to mention. My current source is a Sony CDP-CE70S that has a headphone jack. I've been using it with my DT770/250s and it drives them quite well. That would be the best way to go wouldn't it, just use that until I find I need an amp and then aim for something that might go better with that (and maybe by then I'll have figured out what headphones I like and that might dictate what amp).

Oh, one last bit, is there maybe any other headphones in that range that I should check out? Back when I was moving up through the Sennheiser line, I got a nice deal on a pair of A900s which I didn't have any interest in before, but ended up really enjoying them, much moreso than the HD595s.

 

[Computerstud]

x2 on the corda move