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Best headphone amp for new Senn 650's

I just ordered a pair of the 650's with an upgraded cable from Drew at Moon Audio. I have been over at head-fi.org and Headroom Corp. and looked through these forums too and have come up with several possibilities for a new headphone amp. My question is, is there something that would considerably improve upon the Antique Sound Labs MG Head (older version with transformer, and Telefunkens) that I currently use with my Senn 600's? I am tempted by the Headroom new Max, the Grace 901, the Sugden Headmaster, and various other esoteric things I read about at head-fi. There are a lot of headphone listeners here, too. Any thoughts on whether I could substantially improve on the MG Head? Maybe other tubes than the Telefunkens I now use?
sc53
budrew
467 posts
 
I have the Grace 901 and have been very happy with it. It's compact, looks nice and sounds great. Combined with a zero sampling tubed DAC it's heaven. The Sugden is also supposed to be good, but I've not heard it. Blue Circle will have one this summer. You can also check out Positive Feedback Online for reviews of an Opera headphone amp and some Ray Samuels amps. I've tried the XP-7 and it's good too, but I prefer the Grace 901. A 901 just sold here for around $900 used, but it's hard to find them used.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Before I spend 700-1500 on an HR Max (I just sold one) I would try the Berning microzotl, which can also act as a one source integrated and can easily drive 90 dB speakers in a small room. New its about $800 (hard to find used, but should set you back $500-600). Highly recommended with the 650s and some Teles and some good NOS 6SN7s (I'm using Sylvania chrome domes).
sc53 OP
722 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I've been sucked into a vortex of insanity over at head-fi. I'm now learning about all these custom-made esoteric little gems like the SinglePower, the Larocca Audio PPA or something, the Gilmore V2, the Emmaline something or other, and the German RKV that looks awesome, but one member posted pictures of his after it burnt up somehow. I wonder if that's a common complaint with the RKV? Swampwalker, I know you're a regular over at head-fi, I saw your name on a lot of threads, what do you know about these other, custom amps? The MicroZotl is another one, and I've seen it come up for sale here from time to time. I'll probably give one of these lesser-known, tweaked jobs a try before investing in a new Headroom, given all I've read so far. Too bad I only have two ears, and one head.
jimpap
2 posts
 
The best? If you like tubes, then the best is a Cary 300sei (a lot of bucks!). Now, this is true for me; to my ears. Next best? Earmax Pro.

The Grace sounds fine but it is definitely solid state. The internal dac is not a very good one (sound-wise). The very high end HR Max stuff does sound very good (better than the grace) but also sounds solid state and costs way too much money. Just my two cents.
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