2. amps-preamps
  3. 1370481999

Preamp for headphone use

First of all, I am a newbie who knows just enough to get myself in trouble.

I recently purchased a set of Sennheiser HD 800 headphones. The wife doesn't care for "loud" music, so for now I want to pursue the audiophile hobby via cans. I wish to drastically upgrade my gear here, and am looking for suggestions.

Does anyone have any strong recommendations regarding a preamp with a superior headphone output section? I must admit I have a soft spot for McIntosh, and have contemplated their C2300 preamp. I like the "tube sound" and for whatever reason I find their gear attractive. I'm open to any suggestions though. Almost 100% of my listening to music is via vinyl records.

I'm currently using an Integra line of Onkyo as my "reciever", I wish to upgrade from Old Milwaukee. Thanks in advice for any thoughts!
brad34695
sunandmusic
27 posts
 
If you like tubed amps that sound very organic and have lifelike music aspects, I would highly recommend the HE-6 EL34 headphone amp from Audio Note Kits in Canada. That is the best headphone amp I have ever heard, plus it will also serve as a pre-amp.

Call Brian to talk about it. It is a kit (easy to assemble) but has serious SQ on offer for three times the money it is selling at.

http://www.ankaudiokits.com/he6headamp.html
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,800 posts
 
The Atma-Sphere MP-1 line stage can drive headphones like that directly from its main outputs.
singleendedsingle
664 posts
 
Schiit amps sound fine with headphones, but the preamp section was a later add-on (not an original feature)

Do consider the Burson Soloist (headamp/preamp) the headphone output is very powerful, it drives even the HE-6
bigamp
219 posts
 
Ray Samuels Audio. I used the B52 with 800s for a while. Sounded great.
brad34695 OP
12 posts
 
I sent McIntosh an e-mail regarding the output stage of the C2300, as I really have an interest in that preamp. Below is their response.

I have decided (for now) to audition it at my local Mac dealer, with my HD 800s with me to make a better determination of things.......

Brad,

300 ohms is kind of the sweet spot of the headphone amp in C2300 so it will work fine with the HD800s as far as sound quality and balance. If you listen loudly then you may want to use a more powerful dedicated headphone amplifier and I would recommend the latest from Sennhesier.

Thank you,
Ron Cornelius
McIntosh
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