Headphone Amp Recommendations

[WOStantonCS100]

Cans:
Fostex T50RP
Frequency Response: 15Hz - 35kHz
Max Input 3000 mW
Impedance 50 ohm

I've looked around. Right now it's a toss up between the Musical Fidelity V-CAN II or the Bellari HA540. I didn't like the specs of the Project Headbox or Creek amps. Any other can amps I should be looking at with specs as good or better than the two I'm looking at? and generally in that price range? This is NOT an area in which I want to dump a lot of cash.

Thanks in advance, guys (and gals).

[jostber]

There are many good options in this previous thread, look f.ex. at the Vincent or the Carot One:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14349&highlight=headphone

[WOStantonCS100]

There are many good options in this previous thread, look f.ex. at the Vincent or the Carot One:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14349&highlight=headphone

Thanks for the link! Investigating...

[DSJR]

Shiit? Well made in the US and not in China for pennies (with cheap caps etc..), not expensive for the finish on offer and Werner here rates them really highly :)

[StanleyB]

Shiit? Well made in the US and not in China for pennies (with cheap caps etc..), not expensive for the finish on offer and Werner here rates them really highly :)
If you knew how much of a mark up there is on the expensive caps ;). I got a quote on some caps form the manufacturer in the Far East and from their agent in the UK. The price difference was about 5X.

[DaveK]

Cans:
Fostex T50RP
Frequency Response: 15Hz - 35kHz
Max Input 3000 mW
Impedance 50 ohm

I've looked around. Right now it's a toss up between the Musical Fidelity V-CAN II or the Bellari HA540. I didn't like the specs of the Project Headbox or Creek amps. Any other can amps I should be looking at with specs as good or better than the two I'm looking at? and generally in that price range? This is NOT an area in which I want to dump a lot of cash.

Thanks in advance, guys (and gals).

Hi Biff,
Take a look at this: -

http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/home/hifi-components/ha1-headphone-amplifier

It's only just been released - I and 2 others (one a professional musician and widely known in the industry) have listened to the prototype and given it a big thumbs up. Me and the other guy both bought our prototpyes. Profeesional musician stated "as good as anything up to £1,000" in his opinion.
Great guy to deal with too :) - other than as stated I have no connection with the seller.

[stupinder]

I did a website for this guy (http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/our-products/ehp-1-audiophile-headphone-amplifier/) and have one of his headphone amps coming this way fairly soon. I haven't heard it, but the feedback is good, price seems reasonable and i'm happy to pass on my honest comments once it arrives and i've had a good listen.

[DSJR]

If you knew how much of a mark up there is on the expensive caps ;). I got a quote on some caps form the manufacturer in the Far East and from their agent in the UK. The price difference was about 5X.

Hi Stan, I was thinking of the late-Quad 909 capacitor palaver, where good stock caps were replaced by measurably inferior Chinese ones - allegedly - and measurements taken "before" and "after" these were replaced showed significant differences, as well as being audible I understand..

[WOStantonCS100]

:scratch: Sometimes it's hard to keep track of which thread one's on. :lol:

Thanks all for your input and suggestions. There's a lot more to look at than I thought. :eek: I will look through the other suggestions a few more times before making a decision. The Carot does look cool. It's in a box; but, "outside the box" at the same time. The HA10 would be easy to find valves for. On the other thread, Werner mentioned the Schiit Valhalla and I am very impressed with it.

I had considered building a Bottlehead Crack OTL; but, I don't think it's well suited to my cans. The Smack WOT is better suited; yet, a bit more than I want to spend. That would mean another build, as well, which I really can't fit in any time soon. Perhaps somewhere down the road when I meet up with my next set of cans.

[jostber]

Shiit? Well made in the US and not in China for pennies (with cheap caps etc..), not expensive for the finish on offer and Werner here rates them really highly :)

I also believe that all the ones I have linked too are either made in US, UK or Italy.

[Maximum]

If you budget stretches far enough the NJC Audio Monitor 2 is an option too. It's one guy called Nick who hand builds these in the UK.

http://www.njc-audio.co.uk/html/monitor2.html

He also makes a cheaper model...

[wee tee cee]

The MF M1 HPA slotted into my system and has made a significant impact. It works as a headphone amp without imparting any sonic signature I can detect. I also use it as a pre-amp, It has really improved my enjoyment of my system as a hole in this capacity. The internal dac if used as a standalone head amp from a computer via usb is only bettered in my set by another £1000 worth of hard ware in line. If you budget can stretch to it... It is an excellent bit of kit.
Tony.

[Pete The Cat]

This is a world in its own right and if you want an explosion of choice check out the Head-Fi forum for views on the myriad of lesser known manufacturers and DIY kits.

I came across a ready-assembled White Noise Audio headphone amp at just the right time a month or two back, when I was opening my mind to the possibility that kits would mean better quality components. It kicked my Creek off the park, so to speak. I'm sure there are other obscure units that are worthy and for relatively low cost, and the problem (or fun) is having so much choice.

Good luck.

Pete

[DaveK]

Hi Guys,
Anyone still interested in a very good VFM headphone amp might be interested in taking a look here: -

http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=b&thread=7831&page=1#111168

Don't forget you heard it first here ;) - see post #6 above :) . 'Rabbit' the main tester in the thread is a professional musician and a household name to those in the business - in other words his ears earn him a very nice standard of living - so he knows what he's talking about.
IMHO you could do a lot worse for that sort of money :) .
Dave.

[goraman]

Here you go.
http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=815

I love mine,just get some Mullard input 8100 tubes CHEAP and your all good Little Dot has the tubes too.