headphone amp under $350

The Grado RA-1 was a very nice match with my Senn 600's and can be had for under $300. I sold it cuz I couldn't use my Nakamichi tape deck with the Grado in-line. Bought a Rega Ear that has tape pass-through and that solved my problem. I sure loved the sound of the Grado though; maybe it's the batteries rather than an AC feed (I should have kept the RA-1 for traveling). One more suggestion: consider upgrading your stock cord on your Senns, the Cardas replacement is a significant step up.

On a related note I built my own headhpone amp lately, and having experimented extensively can confirm that the power supply will make the most obvious difference. I settled on an external 4 amp Hammond switching power supply. Happy listening, Jeff

Jon can build you Meta-42 based Home headphone amp w/ your choose of components. Jon built one for me recently and I'm very impressed by the amp and the builder. (With an upgraded power supply my amp ran $228 w/shipping inc. However, the price will be slightly more depending on what you wish to add to the base unit. Mine is a base unit.) Jon uses a Sennheiser headphone so he is very familiar w/their sound and would be able to build an amp to best match your tastes. To learn more, www.jmtaudio.com and www.head-fi.org.
Good luck! Bill

Either version of the Antique Sound Labs MG-Head, all tube, TONS of gain, or the V2 version of the Musical Fidelity "X-Cans" (has (1) tube, but more of a hybrid-type design, with slightly more speed and detail).

Have used both extensively with HD600's, really depends on your "taste".

Plenty of great choices in this arena! Kinda nice to look into an affordable category, with so many options, for a change, eh?

Good luck!

Go with a "Headroom" amp,they "all" sound great.Will blow away,the one's that are mentioned here.Ron...

I've heard very good things about the ASL. I'll look into the others that were mentioned as well. Thanks.