Headphone Amp

[Rare Bird]

I have been scouting around for a small but very well made & finished Headphone amp, the only acceptable one to date is the Ortofon 'Headphone Amp One' unit but i cannot seem to find a stockist nor price!

http://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/ui/support/support-product-details.aspx?ProductID=1084

[Batty]

Graham Slee ?

[Rare Bird]

Another on the list CI Audio

http://www.ciaudio.com/products/VHP2

http://www.ciaudio.com/products/VAC1

[Ali Tait]

Got a Graham Slee Voyager you can have with much cheepniss if you like mate.

[Rare Bird]

No thanks Ali :lolsign:

[Ali Tait]

'Kay. It's very good, honest!

Had it when I worked away, I don't anymore so it don't get used.

Best head amp I've had in the past was a hot rodded WD HD83. Great amp. Not very portable though!

[Rare Bird]

Im very fussy about Aesthetics finish & build Ali. If you look at the Ortofon & CI ive short listed you'll notice what i go for.. Part of mi OCD :lol:

[Ali Tait]

Aye, fairy muff! :D

[Rare Bird]

Is that fairy or Furry muff? :eyebrows:

[Ali Tait]

Whitever floats yer ballerkz mucker! :lol:

[Batty]

Love the Avatar Rare Bird

[Rare Bird]

Thanks Steve.. Just some old tat that's took me months to restore..

[Maximum]

Been very happy with my NJC...

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

Should tick the looks department too, it's a bit like the CI.

[alan47]

My vote goes to the Neco Soundlabs Bosfet.won't beat the sound or quality..

[wee tee cee]

The epiphany head amp EHP 02 is very good.
The only downside is connectivity, it has a 3.5mm input and output .

It is portable and the battery and charging circuit are kept seperate.....so no mains nasties from the wall wart gets through.
Maplins do a good quality 3.5mm-phono connector.

It is very well made and sounds sublime, if the aesthetics offend, you could tuck it behind kit in your rack.

Epiphany as a company are great to deal with. I rate mine very highly.

[Rare Bird]

This Lehmann 'Black Cube' looks like the winner up to yet.

[Tim]

Those are extremely good André, I have HD650's and spent sometime evaluating head-amps about 2 years ago and got close to buying one, but just didn't have the spare cash at the time, so bought an M-Stage clone, which sound wise *seems* to match it to my ears. However, I would still like a Lehmann when funds permit as the M-Stage has a few failings. The build quality is poor compared to the Lehmann, also the volume pot on the M-Stage is very different to the Lehmann and I think you would absolutely hate it, its stiff and just feels wrong compared to the Black Cube. Cosmetically the M-Stage looks are inferior to the Lehmann as well, I really don't like the front panel graphics. The blue LED on the M-Stage is too bright, the Lehmann is very subtle and perfect for my tastes. You can buy under the counter brackets for the Lehmann too, so you can clamp it under a desk. The Matrix M-Stage is very good indeed, don't get me wrong and you get what you pay for, but the Lehmann is a premium product and worth its cost IMO, it just oozes quality and has been superbly engineered, topped by the fact is sounds darned good too :)

I was very impressed by both its sonic capabilities and build quality and it works exceptionally well with the higher end Sennheiser headphones - the volume pot is gorgeous on the Lehmann. The only other head-amp I would consider (but its valve not SS) is the Schiit Valhalla.

This is my M-Stage.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage9_zpse3e75067.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage9_zpse3e75067.jpg.html)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage10_zps621723d6.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage10_zps621723d6.jpg.html)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage11_zps40cab7fd.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage11_zps40cab7fd.jpg.html)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage1_zpsc56284df.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage1_zpsc56284df.jpg.html)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage2_zps3d9ead23.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage2_zps3d9ead23.jpg.html)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage12_zps1157a1d7.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage12_zps1157a1d7.jpg.html)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage4_zps90ee3ad8.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage4_zps90ee3ad8.jpg.html)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage5_zps9e2978c1.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage5_zps9e2978c1.jpg.html)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/mstage6_zpsdccd867f.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/user/greatgig/media/mstage6_zpsdccd867f.jpg.html)

Its very, very good, but its not a Lehmann Black Cube ;)

[Rare Bird]

Thanks for that Tim. Yes that Lehmann is beautiful, looks superb inside too. I hear they do a unit with USB

:thumbsup:

[AlfaGTV]

I have built meself a Lehmann Black Cube Linear clone off of eBay.
It has cost me around £50 inl freight and a toroid trannie (60VA)
Built into an old casette deck, it sounds truly astonishing! It beats the socks off of a Little Dot MkIII!

Regards Mike
Edit:
http://www.ollars.net/hififorum/riggbw.jpg

http://www.ollars.net/hififorum/insidebw.jpg
The left side houses the two separate trafos, a 60VA toroid for the HP amp and a 30VA R-core for the DAC. The small PCB is the DAC, an AK4396 based jobbie with a very appealing sound. To the right is the Lehmann clone, an absolutely stunning piece of kit, at peanut cost.
Both the dac and hp amp uses OP-amps, NE5532 as std, but they have been exchanged for a much better option, the LME 49720HA (metal cased).

[Firebottle]

I have built meself a Lehmann Black Cube Linear clone off of eBay.

Have you got a link to that Mike?

:cool:Alan

[AlfaGTV]

I bought the kit from this guy, good service and reasonably fast delivery:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320693567835
(Its advertized frequently on eBay though)

There some good reading here:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/501046/the-lovely-cube-headphone-amp-lehmann-black-cube-linear-clone/

It's well worth the few quid it costs!
Regards //Mike

[Rare Bird]

Mike:
Is this the DAC board you bought?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-DAC-24BIT-192KHZ-CS8416-AK4396-NE5532P-BOARD-ASSEMBLED-FINISHED-/321058735660?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac097862c

[AlfaGTV]

Yes, it might very well be that one André.
To cut a long story short, i bought it second hand. But it's a very nice DAC, especially with something like a 49720HA OpAmp... :)
Together these are a nice combo that drives most headphones woth ease!

Regards Mike

[Rare Bird]

I bought the kit from this guy, good service and reasonably fast delivery:



Hi Mike
Ok i have bought one of those phones PCB's, i'll populate it with my own flashy component preference..

Ive not decided on which Op-Amp to use yet!

[istari_knight]

Hi Mike
Ok i have bought one of those phones PCB's, i'll populate it with my own flashy component preference..

Ive not decided on which Op-Amp to use yet!

OPA2604 is usually my first choice when replacing dual opamps.

[AlfaGTV]

Hi Mike
Ok i have bought one of those phones PCB's, i'll populate it with my own flashy component preference..

Ive not decided on which Op-Amp to use yet!

Looking forward to reading about your impressions! I really dont think you can be disappointed. :)
Regards Mike

[Rare Bird]

OPA2604 is usually my first choice when replacing dual opamps.

Hi James
Do you have a reliable source i can get one ?

[istari_knight]

Hi James
Do you have a reliable source i can get one ?

Farnell are probably the best price but useless if your not ordering anything else due to the p&p... Littlediode sell genuine one's but pricey at £10. Are you a member on the diyaudio forum ? Could be worth posting a wanted ad there as I know lots of folks have drawers full of different opamps.

If I had a spare you'd be welcome to it but I've only got 5532's :(

Whatever you decide on I've had positive results forcing opamps into class a [in fact I always do it now if I can!] They run hot but fitting a mini GPU heatsink helps.

[Covenant]

I use this with a DC1 power supply:
http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/home/hifi-components/ha10-se-headphone-amplifier

Put a Mullard NOS tube in it, very happy.

[Rare Bird]

Looking forward to reading about your impressions! I really dont think you can be disappointed. :)
Regards Mike

Hi Mike
Any idea what value the volume pot is as i have two brand new Sfernice 'PII VYN' Cermet pots i was hoping to use?

[AlfaGTV]

:) had the original B.O.M next to me!
The pot is a 50KOhm stereo item, not to unusual!
(the non-Alps that comewith the kit is actually very well behaved, decent quality)

Regards Mike

[Rare Bird]

Hi Mike
It's arrived already.. The PCB look to be good quality {Why do manufacturers print component shapes on the boards :steam:

However as i have no Intension on using any of those supplied parts :lol: I'll source a selection of high quality components, Avel Lindberg transformer, see how it sounds before i think about the enclosure. It's only for listerning with HRT Streamer whilst on the computer, however it has to sound good & 100% reliable :)

[Oldpinkman]

Watching with interest. I had my eye on a Lovely cube - another chinese black cube rip-off - but more of a component for component match. I bought an op-amp based device off ebay which is OK - ie faultless, but hasn't set my heart racing.

The Muse valve amp I have sounds quite good, but the x-talk is shocking, and I have a few (standard from a web-site) mod's to try on that hopefully before Christmas.

Then I am hoping Owen, who was very rude about the design, will first do it properly with that valve, and then produce a "from scratch" design, which will inevitably be solid state - but I could be hoping a long time.

Cos I have only the most tangential grasp of electronics, I can't understand why it seems to be so bloody difficult, to do something so bloody simple. I suspect I will end up with a pair of Stax again at some stage, and the whole issue will be irrelevant again.

But keen to hear how you get on :)

[Rare Bird]

I seem to have sourced pretty much everything i want apart from the Op-Amp & Linear Potentiometer {I don't do Log pots i do Linear +LFR}

[Oldpinkman]

I seem to have sourced pretty much everything i want apart from the Op-Amp & Linear Potentiometer {I don't do Log pots i do Linear +LFR}

Why? You have logarithmic hearing, so a log pot seems kinda obvious. Am I missing something? :scratch:

[Rare Bird]

Yes i do have Log hearing but high quality Linear Pots with law faking resistors sound far better to me & imho have greater control a low level.

[doodoos]

Been very happy with my NJC...

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

Should tick the looks department too, it's a bit like the CI.

+1

[AlfaGTV]

Keen on your progress André! Looking forward to hearing bout your impressions, particularly when equipping this with higher std components.
//Mike

[Canetoad]

'Kay. It's very good, honest!

Had it when I worked away, I don't anymore so it don't get used.

Best head amp I've had in the past was a hot rodded WD HD83. Great amp. Not very portable though!

Ali, what do you do to hot rod it? :scratch:

[Yomanze]

Watching with interest. I had my eye on a Lovely cube - another chinese black cube rip-off - but more of a component for component match. I bought an op-amp based device off ebay which is OK - ie faultless, but hasn't set my heart racing.

The Muse valve amp I have sounds quite good, but the x-talk is shocking, and I have a few (standard from a web-site) mod's to try on that hopefully before Christmas.

Then I am hoping Owen, who was very rude about the design, will first do it properly with that valve, and then produce a "from scratch" design, which will inevitably be solid state - but I could be hoping a long time.

Cos I have only the most tangential grasp of electronics, I can't understand why it seems to be so bloody difficult, to do something so bloody simple. I suspect I will end up with a pair of Stax again at some stage, and the whole issue will be irrelevant again.

But keen to hear how you get on :)

Try an NVA AP10H. I also have a pair of STAX, but they're sitting on the sideline whilst the Grados & NVA provide the enjoyment...

Funnily enough these amps also prefer linear cermet pots with law faking resistors a-la Andre's preferences.

[istari_knight]

Why? You have logarithmic hearing, so a log pot seems kinda obvious. Am I missing something? :scratch:

Likes to be different does our Andre :D

[museguy]

I have built meself a Lehmann Black Cube Linear clone off of eBay.
It has cost me around £50 inl freight and a toroid trannie (60VA)
Built into an old casette deck, it sounds truly astonishing! It beats the socks off of a Little Dot MkIII!

Regards Mike
Edit:
http://www.ollars.net/hififorum/riggbw.jpg

http://www.ollars.net/hififorum/insidebw.jpg
The left side houses the two separate trafos, a 60VA toroid for the HP amp and a 30VA R-core for the DAC. The small PCB is the DAC, an AK4396 based jobbie with a very appealing sound. To the right is the Lehmann clone, an absolutely stunning piece of kit, at peanut cost.
Both the dac and hp amp uses OP-amps, NE5532 as std, but they have been exchanged for a much better option, the LME 49720HA (metal cased).

Dear Mike,
Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

Would like to create a similar setup as yours. Any suggestions ?

Thank you !
- Mark

[AlfaGTV]

Welcome museguy!
I need to adress some of my earlier writings about this... I still very much appreciate this DAC/HP Amp but the Little Dot MkIII is not worse, just different.

Still recommend the Lehmann Black Cube Linear clone which sounds more than decent with a 30-50VA tranny. If i would build something similar today i would try and find another DAC, precerably with a USB input? And, i would try and fit then in separate chassies, somewhat smaller! :)

Keep us posted on your progress, okay?
Atb /Mike

[museguy]

Welcome museguy!
I need to adress some of my earlier writings about this... I still very much appreciate this DAC/HP Amp but the Little Dot MkIII is not worse, just different.

Still recommend the Lehmann Black Cube Linear clone which sounds more than decent with a 30-50VA tranny. If i would build something similar today i would try and find another DAC, precerably with a USB input? And, i would try and fit then in separate chassies, somewhat smaller! :)

Keep us posted on your progress, okay?
Atb /Mike

Dear Mike,
Thank you for the post !

Still working on my plans, as of tonight:

Raspberry Pi (with regulated linear power) > Audiophonics Sabre 9023 Dac > AMB Alpha 20 (http://www.amb.org/audio/alpha20/) - With Sigma 25 (http://www.amb.org/audio/sigma25/) power supply

All the best,
Mark

[museguy]

Welcome museguy!
I need to adress some of my earlier writings about this... I still very much appreciate this DAC/HP Amp but the Little Dot MkIII is not worse, just different.

Still recommend the Lehmann Black Cube Linear clone which sounds more than decent with a 30-50VA tranny. If i would build something similar today i would try and find another DAC, precerably with a USB input? And, i would try and fit then in separate chassies, somewhat smaller! :)

Keep us posted on your progress, okay?
Atb /Mike

Dear Mike,
How are you? I have been researching DACs. Have come around to AK4399, AK4495, AK4495SEQ (http://www.akm.com/akm/en/product/featured/premiumaudio/). AK Premium DACs (http://www.akm.com/akm/en/product/datasheet1/)

AK4495SEQ
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Assembled-AK4495SEQ-AK4118-NE5534-Double-Parallel-Soft-Control-Board-DOP-DSD-/121709573225
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-grade-AK4495SEQ-DAC-Assembled-board-I2S-to-RCA-upgrade-your-player-Weiliang-/131539517663

Any thoughts ? Would like to hear your feedback. Thanks !

- Mark