2. headphones
  3. 156152-20619

AFFORDABLE (under $1K) Best SS and Tube Amps for HD600

Best SS Under $1K for HD600 (or similar load) __________________________________________________________

WHAMMY Class-A headphone amplifier w/ OPA2107 upgrade OR 2 OPA627 pro build ONLY $500-$600 PASS Design (similar to/ better than a dynalo- warm + clinical - choice of chip switches sound - these are two I like best- choices chips R infinite)
TCA HPA-1 ( Tom Christiansen Audio ) $899 (warm and clinical but not like WHAMMY

Gilmore Lite Mk1 or Mk2 (Like a Dynalo) $300-499 (nice- a bit warm/clear for SS)
Rupert Neve Designs RNHP $499 (clinical gain power)
neurochrome HP-1 Kit $500 (similar to DYNALO and TCA HPA-1)
Monolith by Monoprice THX AAA Balanced Headphone Amplifier featuring THX AAA 887 $399 (cheap and very good black velvet background- just nice warm sounding like WHAMMY or TCA or Gilmore)
Emotiva BasX A-100 Flex with jumpers activated for full headphone power $229 (gobs of raw power no real special sound except its fun to open the HD600 with this much raw power for cheap)


Best Tube Under $1K for HD600 (or similar load)
____________________________________________________
Quicksilver headphone amp $899 (probably best looking of all these and sounding)
Bottlehead Crack w/speedball and upgraded power cord by them Professionally build ($800) (HD600+this is like peanut butter and jelly - everyone agrees this is nirvana for HD600)

TOR AUDIO Roger $560 (amazing like Crack without speedball/power cable) DIY Bottlehead Crack w/speedball $400+ 90 for cable + 8 hours time and no where same build as above
Bottlead Crackatwoa 800-$944 KIT ONLY qualifies here under $1K BUT you could get pro built for ($1700+)
Schitt Valhalla $349Schitt
Schitt Mjolnir $849
Woo WA3 Headphone Amplifier $599 (no longer made - find on used market or wait for ver2)Woo WA6 Version 2 $699
Woo Fireflies with DAC 2nd gen $999 Starving Student II Headphone Amplifier $229+ 8hrs buildTOR NICK Headphone Tube Amp $480 (wood w/tubes)
____________________________________________
Im probably missing a bunch but this is my short list! Please join in...
Honorable mention OVER $2500 probably no one EVER heard of: Toolshed Amps The Darling HEAD AMP made in USA $2595
whatugot
glissando
35 posts
 
I'm with oddiofyl on the Quicksilver, it's completely addicting !

I'm using it with the http://www.cranesong.com/SOLARIS.html and HD650, HD800s and Focal Elegia
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,730 posts
 
Same here ... I ordered the Quicksilver a few weeks ago, and it's just amazing. I love the lush, holographic sound. The low end it provides took my Hifiman Arya and Focal Clear to a whole new level. 
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,202 posts
 
That's awesome !!!  Enjoy .... Its such a great amp.  I am now using it with a RME ADI-2 DAC and it's an incredible combo.  The RME has a very good headphone section...or sections I should say.  If I didn't own the Quicksilver I would probably be happy with it.   The best feature of the RME is just that, it's feature set.  5 band PEQ, selectable digital filters,  bass and treble, loudness.   To name a few.  

The grip that Quicksilver has with bass is scary.  Plus it is clear as a bell at any volume.  I buy and sell a lot of gear and these two are keepers,  especially the amp as it will never be obsolete....dacs do have an inherent obsolescence. 
sanvara's avatar
sanvara
25 posts
 
Not sure why BasX would be removed. At $230 I think it’s fantastic at it’s price point for HD600 / HD650. I liked it just as much as the crack with speedball. BasX with iTube combo also sounds great.
vinylvalet
930 posts
 
Kingko KA101 Pro.
More to discover