[Davedog]

I'm feeling the upgrade-itis itch and I'm thinking about getting a tube amp for some extra listening pleasure.
 
As I'm a poor student, a large amount of my listening is done through spotify (on the highest quality it does... yes I know it's only 320kbit/sec) while I build up a respectable CD collection (it's only around 50-60 at the moment). 
And thus I'd like to get a USB DAC and compatible tube amp. My budget of £1000 led me to the WA7 or the Schitt Valhalla/Bifrost combo
My cans for use with such a purchase would be the DT990s (250Ohm), The HD25-1 II, the Grado SR80i and A pair of AKG K701s are soon to join the family.

 
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this and any other recommendations would be gratefully received. (bear in mind the £1000 budget has to cover the shipping costs to the UK and import taxes, etc...)
 
Cheers in advance
 
Dave

 

[hodgjy]

The headphones you listed are a mixture of high and low impedance.  Therefore, you don't want an OTL tube amp, which are best with high impedance headphones, as your amp.  You'll want a tube amp with an output transformer or a hybrid tube amp.
 
Typically, output transformers are very expensive.  Hybrid amps are cheaper.  So, you may consider some of these hybrids:
 
Little Dot
Schiit Lyr
Bellari HA540
HiFiMan EF5
 
The WA7 has an output transformer, but reviews are only now just coming out.  Perhaps wait until more reviews are published.

 

[Davedog]

 Thanks for the reply
 
Of the hybrids you suggested, which are the most "broadly compatible" (bad phrasing I know), This is just an upgrade of one part of my system so I'm after an amp that is a decent match for a large number of Mid-fi cans.
possible future purchases are along the lines of: HD650, Dennon AH-D5000, possibly HiFiman's HE-300.
(I'll probably get another amp/DAC upgrade once my headphone and CD collections have been expanded, but thats an upgrade for a later time, and a larger budget)
 
cheers in advance
 
Dave

 

[hodgjy]

The beauty about hybrids and transformer-coupled tube amps is they are broadly compatible.  They typically have low output impedance and ample current and voltage to drive a variety of headphones.  

 

[wolfetan44]

I'd say the WA7. I hear the smaller plug is supposed to do wonders with lower impedences and the 1/4th is great with lower ones.
Sources: http://www.humanovation.com/2013/02/05/review-woo-audio-wa7-fireflies-tube-amp/
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue65/woo_wa7.htm
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57565267-47/wowed-by-the-woo-wa7-headphone-amplifier/
Best get reading. I loved reading those articles, I'm sure you will too