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Pono was the best SS headphone amp I ever heard

Mind you, I haven't heard everything, but as a headphone amp and DAC the Ayre designed output stage was phenomenal.

The only other headphone amp I liked as much was a $6K tube set up I can't remember the name of.

So my point is, if you like your music on the go, and you got to hear the Pono, what do you think sounds as good if not better?

Best,
E
erik_squires
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,687 posts
 
Good thing you passed on the Pono. Support is almost nonexistant. What a fiasco.
erik_squires OP
16,389 posts
 
@tpreaves2

I went with a Fiio. Much better UI, size and expandability.

But damn, the Pono's handling of headphones was something else.

Best,
E
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drrsutliff
866 posts
 
Try the Ayre Codex but only with the balanced output.  Similar circuit that Ayre designed for the Codex.  Not very interesting until you acquire a special balanced cable to use with two 3.5mm plugs.  Same balanced setup you can do on a Pono.  Huge difference in sound quality. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,949 posts
 
The Stax SRM-T1 or SRM-007T tube headphone amps, for their Lambda Pro Earspeakers. 
erik_squires OP
16,389 posts
 
Sadly neither the Codex nor Stax are good candidates for "music on the go"

Best,
E
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