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What headphone amp to buy-Sennheiser HD 600?

Well, thanks to the kindness and patience of my fellow A'gon-izers, the hook-up "problem" for the headphone amp I have is solved. The amp is a Ramsey SHA 1. The phones are Sennheiser HD 600. I had remembered that amp sounding great. Now I'm spoiled by the new speakers I have, and even though the signal path to the amp is thru the Dodson DAC, I still think it sounds........not so great. Decent I suppose, but harsh on the upper end, yet without the mitigating detail, and you know, just.....unsatisfactory.

OK, OK, so here's the question(s): What's a great, fairly cheap (like, at LEAST less than a grand) headphone amp? Sonically, I want EVERYTHING!!!! (Except soundstage, that has never happened for me with any headphones, ever, I'm pretty sure not even with the expensive Stax I heard a few years ago).
It MUST have: Tight, deep, fast, smooth, tonally correct, musical bass, shimmering, non-fatiguing, emminently smooth yet ultra detailed highs, great midbass punch with no boom or softness whatsoever, midrange that is totally natural, smooth, detailed, and lacking any hint whatsoever of grain or electronic amplification artifact in the upper registers. It should sound great on ALL program material, from classical to rock to bluegrass to new age to jazz, anything and everything.

Other than those relatively modest criteria, there are no other performance demands. :)))

So, fire away!
mdhoover
alo
25 posts
 
With the price range most people here are playing with, I'm surprised on one has recommended anything from the Headroom line. I've heard nothing but good things about them, especially the upper level amps. My friend has one and says the crossfeed process/switch helps with the feel of headphone listening by making it seem more like listening to speakers instead of 2 distinct sound sources. Maybe the solution to imaging?

Personally, I've got to recommend the Musical Fidelity X-Can v3. I picked one up for my Grado SR325's. I actually found very little about using it with Grados, but headfi is filled with people who swear by it for their HD650's. I'd figure that would make it a good match for you.

Pros:
Does everything well (unlike most headfiers, yes I do listen to classical)
Unarguably good looks
Great build
DIY moddability (caps and tubes)
Run through lets you put it between a source and preamp

Cons:
No power switch. Apparently the simpler circuit design helps?

At $350 it's a great bargain and very reasonable for a headphone system. Personally, I think the point of diminishing returns comes very quickly for headphone rigs as compared with stereos. $500 can get you a great pair of phones and an amp which can shame most loudspeaker systems that cost 10x as much.
mdhoover OP
695 posts
 
Alo,
I've considered the MF X-Can tube buffer and may get one if I keep the HD 600's. Thanks for the info.
-Bill
alo
25 posts
 
Tube buffer or headphone amp?
robm321
932 posts
 
"With the price range most people here are playing with, I'm surprised on one has recommended anything from the Headroom line. I've heard nothing but good things about them, especially the upper level amps. My friend has one and says the crossfeed process/switch helps with the feel of headphone listening by making it seem more like listening to speakers instead of 2 distinct sound sources. Maybe the solution to imaging?"

I agree with the fact that the maxed out home will probably be one of the best amps you can get for the Senns, esp. the balanced version.

I disagree with the fact that it solves imaging problems with phones. It helps move it in front of you, but the K1000 headphones are the only ones that really make you feel like you have a large soundstage (still nothing like a life sized speaker setup).
mdhoover OP
695 posts
 
"Tube buffer or headphone amp?"
-Alo
I suppose it would have to be both. But I just bought the Stax setup and want to see how that sounds after it gets back from being fixed. I'm still not sure whether or not I'll keep the Sennheisers and the Ramsey SHA 1.
-Bill
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