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Suggestions for pure headphone amp around $200?

I am looking for suggestions for a new to me headphone amp with a budget around $200, maybe a little more for the right unit.
I do NOT need a headphone/dac, it will be fed by RCA analog from the line out of my BAT integrated.
One requirement is that it also has RCA analog outputs, so a pass through if you like, my present el cheapo Monolith head amp has this and it is near essential in my set up right now.
My present cans are HiFiman 4xx purchased from Drop.
I may be looking at better cans for Xmas so there is that to bear in mind for the new head amp.
Thanks and stay safe!
128x128uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Excellent stuff, both posts point towards Schiit gear.
Either the Asgard 3 or the Magnius both priced bang on $199.
Reading to do.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Anything else besides Schiit at this price point worth considering?
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,502 posts
 
 I like my Schiit Vali 2 with a 6GC7.
Less than $200 all in. The 15 day audition won't tell you much. The stick tube blows and so does the Russki 6922 I tried next.

big_greg
6,560 posts
 
uber, given the level of the rest of your system, I'd suggest treating the headphone amp with the same level of importance, especially if you're planning to upgrade or add more headphones in the near future.  You should probably be adding a 0 to your budget.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Lol Greg.

You could be right but as I still only use cans about 1% of the time I have a hard time justifying that expense in my head.

However I know it's a big vicious circle and the better the headamp/ cans the more I might use them.
More to discover