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Tube Headphone Amp. Getting Started.

I'm just getting in the audiophile game and since I do most
of my listening using headphones, I think getting a good
non-fatiguing tube headphone amp would be a good idea. I
know some DIYers who could build something for me, but am
frustrated by my ignorance - I don't know what kinds of
questions to ask.

What kind of things should be considered (besides obviously,
just listen to the thing)? I figure the process of learning
is probably best served by trying to build a simple amp
myself. A DIY kit? Background reading?

Has anyone been down a similar path? I'm willing to do the
grunt work. Please just get me started with some pointers.
agonanon
dudeaudio
39 posts
 
Earmax Pro. Beats my Grada RA1. More musical, less fatiguing, less hi-fi sounding, better seperation of instruments, omg that midrange...... Mated with my HD600's (with the Cardass cable mod)and Pioneer PD65 source, the sound is spectacular for the money. Gives me 90% of the sound quality of my reference $25000 stereo rig. Swapping the stock tubes with NOS (I'm using Telefunkens CCa's and ECC801s's, makes a huge difference too)
Happy listening
dudeaudio
dudeaudio
39 posts
 
Sorry,
Misread the post, thought you wanted to buy, not build a tube amp, I was drinking.
The Earmax still is amazing though!
dudeaudio
davetherave
95 posts
 
I'd suggest visiting head-fi.com and headwize.com. There's lots of info on both store-bought and DIY headphone amps. good luck.
dgad
782 posts
 
I use an Antique Sound Lab MG Head OTL w. HD600s. Very inexpensive for great sound. The HD600s never sounded good until I added the headphone amp. I was using before the headphone output of my Placette Preamp. It was very clean, but not alive. The ASL is very musical & synergistic w. the HD600s. I haven't tried anything else though, but for the price it was an easy choice
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