Headphone Amplifier

[Clint H]

HI Folks

Looking at getting a headphone amplifier & was wondering if anyone on here has owned or owns either the NJC Audio Reference Series or the Fidelity Audio HPA 200 headphone amps & would like to share their thoughts on either of these units. Both small UK based companies that sell direct to the public, both get very good reviews for their products & I do want to support British manufacturing. My preferences are for musical sounding over analytical.

Thanks people.

[southall-1998_mk2]

What headphones do you use?

S.

[southall-1998_mk2]

Another good brand is Graham Slee.

S.

[Mand]

I owned a HPA100 and then the NJC.
Build quality - njc, sound quality - hpa100.
I felt I needed more power for sen hd600 so changed to njc as the hpa200 cost lot more new, and no used ones around..
The hpa seemed more musical and easier to listen to for long periods.
Currently using a Schiit Magni Hersey which I recommend (or Magni 3) with Meze 99.
I think I would still be using a hpa200 if I’d gone that way..
Hope this helps

[southall-1998_mk2]

I owned a HPA100 and then the NJC.
Build quality - njc, sound quality - hpa100.
I felt I needed more power for sen hd600 so changed to njc as the hpa200 cost lot more new, and no used ones around..
The hpa seemed more musical and easier to listen to for long periods.
Currently using a Schiit Magni Hersey which I recommend (or Magni 3) with Meze 99.
I think I would still be using a hpa200 if I’d gone that way..
Hope this helps

Is the Magni Heresy fairly neutral sounding?

[Mand]

Can’t say for sure due to my lack of exposure to well regarded high end headphone amps, that are known to be neutral, but I like it better than the njc, to my ears it seems neutral.
Almost a no brainier for the cost and returns policy at Schiit uk/eu... if they have stock..

[Clint H]

HI Shane

My headphones are Meze 99 Classics.

Clint

What headphones do you use?

S.

[Clint H]

HI Mandeep

Thanks for the reply, most appreciated. Fidelity Audio also make linear power supplies for my phono stage which get really good reviews. Thanks again.

Clint

I owned a HPA100 and then the NJC.
Build quality - njc, sound quality - hpa100.
I felt I needed more power for sen hd600 so changed to njc as the hpa200 cost lot more new, and no used ones around..
The hpa seemed more musical and easier to listen to for long periods.
Currently using a Schiit Magni Hersey which I recommend (or Magni 3) with Meze 99.
I think I would still be using a hpa200 if I’d gone that way..
Hope this helps

[Clint H]

Another good brand is Graham Slee.

S.


I forgot about them Shane, they do a home loan scheme if memory serves.

[CageyH]

I forgot about them Shane, they do a home loan scheme if memory serves.

Yes, they do.

[dreamer69]

I’ve got an NJC. Always wanted one and picked one up used but pretty mint. Only other amp I used with 6xx was Cavalli tube hybrid and the njc wins no contest. Build quality is fantastic but I don’t know how it stacks up against other amps. Thinking of using it as a pre with some ae1 actives

[Bourneendboy]

I have an NJC and rate it as the best I have owned.

I've had the following, all used with Sennheiser HD600.

Heed Can Amp
Naim Headline
Naim DAC V1
Rega Ear
Fidelity Audio 200
Beresford Caiman Seg with Capella headphone chip
Lehmann Linear

The Fidelity Audio comes a close second.