RockRolley Posted April 13 Posted April 13 With a toddler and another baby on the way, the vast majority of my night time listening is now on headphones in my home office/music room. I have a nice little Musical Paradise integrated amp in there that sounds fantastic with some great Mullard Blackburn EL34’s in it, but the headphone section isn’t its best quality-great with LS3/5a type speakers. I find I’m enjoying the setup for headphones but not LOVING it. Currently running a musical paradise Dac with Pi2AES streaming Roon and CEC cd transport, and aTechnics SP10 MK2/Denon DL103r cartridge via Gieseler phono stage. I go for warmth, soundstage and musicality, but any detail I squeeze into the bargain is very welcome. Oh: headphones are just some 70’s pioneer ones I got for nostalgic purposes as that’s what I used as a kid in my dad’s Hifi. Should I start with headphone upgrade or amp? Thanks 1
RockRolley Posted April 13 Author Posted April 13 Oh: Music played: Mainly 60's through 80's. Beach Boys, beatles, Hendrix, Robin Trower, Neil Young, CSNY, The Band, Dylan. Also Prince, Paul Weller, some female vocal-Linda Ronstadt, Suzanne Vega, Cat Power, also some 80's metal, Iron Maiden, Kiss, ACDC... 1
mwhouston Posted April 13 Posted April 13 1 hour ago, RockRolley said: With a toddler and another baby on the way, the vast majority of my night time listening is now on headphones in my home office/music room. I have a nice little Musical Paradise integrated amp in there that sounds fantastic with some great Mullard Blackburn EL34’s in it, but the headphone section isn’t its best quality-great with LS3/5a type speakers. I find I’m enjoying the setup for headphones but not LOVING it. Currently running a musical paradise Dac with Pi2AES streaming Roon and CEC cd transport, and aTechnics SP10 MK2/Denon DL103r cartridge via Gieseler phono stage. I go for warmth, soundstage and musicality, but any detail I squeeze into the bargain is very welcome. Oh: headphones are just some 70’s pioneer ones I got for nostalgic purposes as that’s what I used as a kid in my dad’s Hifi. Should I start with headphone upgrade or amp? Thanks http://retro-thermionic.blogspot.com/2021/09/priory-tube-headphone-amp.html I could make you one of these.
mwhouston Posted April 13 Posted April 13 Or get more serious. http://retro-thermionic.blogspot.com/2013/12/6as7-headphone-amp-with-sohpia-mesh.html
RockRolley Posted April 13 Author Posted April 13 Thanks Mark, these both look interesting. Nice looking builds. I’ll have another read tomorrow when I’m a bit more fresh eyed. 1
Kaynin Posted April 14 Posted April 14 What’s your budget? I had a few amps until I bought my WooAudio Wa22, and have kept it for about 8 years now. Beautiful build quality, and the sound is superb. 1
RockRolley Posted April 14 Author Posted April 14 Thanks for contributing. I’ll have a look at the woo amp. It’s more sonic qualities I’m exploring at the moment and keeping an open mind with price point. I’m not going to spend loads, but at the same time I don’t want to lock in spend yet. It’s going to be a main listening source for at least a few years yet. Essentially I’ll need to sell some current gear to fund, and I guess depending on what I go for will depend on what I sell.
075Congo Posted 19 hours ago Posted 19 hours ago Another headphone amp that is often overlooked is the Rupert Neve Designs RNHP Headphone amp. At around $1100 AUD this amp is a top performer...more info at Awave in Melbourne.
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