What headphone and amplifier for classical enthusiast

I like the Grado 1000 with the Grado amp. Very open and speaker like, but zero isolation, if that matters. The Grado amp is cheap, but it works well with the Grado phones. In your price range too. 

Choosing a headphones system is just like choosing a high end audio system.it requires effort and research. It ultimately requires a high quality streamer, amp, and headphones. I spent over ten years putting together… upgrading my system. You can see it by clicking on my user I’d. My current system has about 30% to the streamer (Aurender 100N), the amp 35% (Woo WA5) and headphones (1 pair, Sennheiser 800s). Unless you can afford much more I would recommend you get the best Focal head[hones you can afford.

The important thing is great electronics. So if you have a great CD player, then you need to heavily invest in an amp . I found the high end headphones (I have lots) I owned started to sound very similar when I put really good electronics behind them… which actually makes sense. You need massive, musical power to properly drive the Sennheiser. Focal are much easier to drive and are very natural sounding. Electrostatic and planar can sound great but you commit yourself to searching for just the right amp to power them.


Good luck. If you take anything from my post it is the proportions of cost per component. I much prefer tubes. Check out Woo.

@rvpiano Are you near Los Angeles. If so CanJam is going on in Irvine this weekend. The headphone to check out at the show is the offering from RAAL.-Requisite 

RAAL is coming out with a new ribbon based headphones that are different than the SR1a. The SR1a are like speakers attached to your ears. The RAAL SR1a are great for people who do not like headphones and are 2 channel people. My RAAL SR1a setup is as good as my floor stander setup.  The new models are like 'normal' headphones. I heard the new one yesterday and I think I will buy it in the future for when I listen in bed. However, the SR1a is still the cream of the crop for me.

True Ribbon Headphones & Amplifiers | RAAL-requisite (raalrequisite.com)  The web site does not list the new products yet.

RAAL also has a new tube based headphone amp that is very interesting. I was not able to hear it yesterday but it does look pretty cool with all the tubes. I am considering the new headphone amp for my bedroom. The HSA-1b solid state headphone amp for the SR1a is excellent and is the other amp I am considering for the bedroom. 

For my office, I use the KRELL K-300i integrated amp for the RAAL SR1a. I have also used a CODA #8, Benchmark AHB2, LSA Voyager 350 GAN, and a D-Sonic M3a 800s. They were all good and the best was the KRELL.

Yyzsantabarbara,

Unfortunately I’m on the other coast.
I own a Benchmark AHB2 amp.
  Can I use it with headphones?

No particular HP brand to recommend. I strongly suggest you try the open-back variety. More spacious, three dimensional sound.
Amps: Woo audio and Ray Samuels ( if he still builds `em).