Reccy’s please for a good headphone amp? [Archive]

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Gazjam

05-01-2021, 09:32

Headphones are Beyerdynamic Amiron Home, 250 Ohms.
Good set of cans, so worth spending up to the same value to get a good sound out of em.

Say, up to £500 for a headamp, cheaper not a bad thing.

Hear good things about Schitt online?
Anyone enjoying one of these, or suggest a preferred option?

thanks. :)

struth

05-01-2021, 09:40

stonehenge

05-01-2021, 10:19

I am very happy with my Chord Mojo. Great little device.

Gazjam

05-01-2021, 10:22

https://www.amazon.co.uk/JDS-Labs-AMP-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B085HRLSS5/ref=asc_df_B085HRLSS5/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475215585979&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5747516386824987810&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007406&hvtargid=pla-992217729294&psc=1

had my eye one of these and the dac version when i was thinking about getting one

Thanks Grant,
new to this so no idea what's out there.

Great looking bit of kit that, measures really well too - which is always a good sign.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jds-labs-el-amp-ii-headphone-review.9973/

Love the design too, half width with a glowing light up top, perfect on my shelf next to the TT Psu.
Bit of a NAim Muso vibe with that big volume control up top.

(Not that THAT's important of course....)

struth

05-01-2021, 10:32

Thanks Grant,
new to this so no idea what's out there.

Great looking bit of kit that, measures really well too - which is always a good sign.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jds-labs-el-amp-ii-headphone-review.9973/

Love the design too, half width with a glowing light up top, perfect on my shelf next to the TT Psu.
Bit opf a NAim Muso vive with that big volume control up top.

(Not that THAT's important of course....)

yeah, it came top with my search although the dac version was my aim as i was going to use it over at my seat. changed plans and sticking with the neuraphones tho. cant get conventional cans to sound as good

Shovel_Knight

05-01-2021, 10:34

Gazjam

05-01-2021, 11:26

SMSL SP200 which is a truly high end headphone amplifier based on the well-respected THX design. There is literally nothing better (at least meaningfully better) for reasonable money. The snob effect is the only reason why it's not more popular.

Looks good Pavel.
Heard there was some reports of reliability issues with some of these Chinese amps?

That been your experience?

Thanks.

Shovel_Knight

05-01-2021, 12:17

I don't have this particular headphone amplifier, but I have listened to it extensively at a friend's place. It's very new (only came out in 2020) so there are no reliability reports yet. However, I have used an SMSL DAC for 5 years without a single problem.

Ammonite Audio

05-01-2021, 12:21

A second hand Beyerdynamic A2 would be my recommendation - I've had one for years, used with various 'phones and it's a sublime sounding thing, with real musical poise.

CageyH

05-01-2021, 14:48

You have a lot of choice at £500.
Good luck with the search. I am not making any recommendations as I am not familiar with your cans. The A2 seems line a sensible choice, as it should be voiced to get the best out of your cans.

Head-Fi may be worth a browse. Failing that, you need to try them at home. Dealers and manufacturers may have a loan scheme. I was always tempted to try an NVA to see how it compared to my Solo Uktra Linear, but never got round to it.

Mand

05-01-2021, 15:21

Pm sent

Lawrence001

05-01-2021, 16:53

I've been thinking about selling my Iota Audio Reference two box headphone amp. The two boxes combined are probably as heavy (and nearly as big) as a typical UK entry level integrated amp and it has the most natural sublime sound of any headphone amp I've used.

It's balanced inputs only. I tried phono to xlr converters but there was a quiet background hum and I decided not to risk it and use one of my balanced DACs instead.

Strangely it's single ended out though, although this balanced headphone thing seems to relate to a separate ground per channel, not genuine hot/cold so I'm not sure it's not all a scam to get people to buy new cables (arguably like biwiring).

Very rare and made to order, there's mention of its existence on their website, but they concentrate on phono stages where they are (slightly) better known.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Ali Tait

05-01-2021, 17:15

Did a fair bit of research when I got my Dan Clark cans mate, was leaning towards SMSL or Burson, who get a lot of good reviews. In the end I went for driving them directly from my OTL amp. All you need are resistors in series and parallel, sounds great and far more drive than any headphone amp. Much cheaper too, just the cost of a small box, connectors and four resistors.

dreamer69

07-01-2021, 17:24

There’s a lovely NJC reference for sale on eBay. Lovely sound and beautifully made. Absolute bargain

Gazjam

08-01-2021, 06:50

Thanks Chaps,

I'll have a think. :thumbsup:

mikeyb

08-01-2021, 07:27

THX 789 is one I've been looking at, £300 or so. No idea if that's any good for you but worth a look going by reviews.

Maximum

08-01-2021, 15:36

There’s a lovely NJC reference for sale on eBay. Lovely sound and beautifully made. Absolute bargainThe one that is on for £300?

Had the mk1 version for a few years now and recently pulled the trigger on the mk2 as I have been so happy with it. Have a Jds Atom to compare it to and the NJC seems to winning. Considering the mk1 cost about 260 and the atom 115, I think that is win for the NJC considering its case/components/sound/power is better.

NJC customer service is excellent to. I had a channel issue about 5 years after I bought it and they fixed it and returned for the cost of postage.

Kinda curious how their dacs compare to the more modern stuff..

Sent from my JSN-L21 using Tapatalk

Bourneendboy

16-01-2021, 08:40

I have an NJC headphone amp and it really is very special, lovely handmade item.
As above, their customer service is second to none. Richard and Nick always reply to questions with detailed unbiased answers.

I'm also very interested in their DAC and although it's older technology, they say it uses very high quality components and sounds great for it.

I do wish they had some demo units to try at home.

Gazjam

27-02-2021, 08:06

Thanks all for the replies.

To close the thread off, I went back to my PS Audio preamp, which has a great headphone stage built in, so panic over. :)
After upgrading my AC again, the BHK amp is really strutting it’s stuff now now, thanks God it never sold!