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After over 40 yrs. of no headphone use, I decided to take the plunge and ordered a set of the Massdrop Sennheiser 6XX and a Topping D50 DAC. My plan was to use the headphone jack in my NAD 701 receiver but I suspect that this will not be optimum.
I could really use some advice on what headphone amp to purchase. I have read a little about the amps from Schiit but that is about the extent of my knowledge. I understand the Senns represent an unusual load (300 ohms) and that this is an important consideration in choosing the right amp.
Since this is my first foray into the headphone world, I don't want to spend too much. The Senns and Topping cost $200 each and I would hope that I can get an amp for about the same.
Thank you!
Terry
Follow Ups:
Are designed to operate under the 300 ohm load of the Senns. The Bottlehead Crack is especially good with 300 ohm Sennheiser phones.If you don't want to take on that kit and want to buy something already assembled you should consider the Schiit Valhalla headphone amp. This is the amp from Schiit Audio that was designed to work well with 300 ohm headphones.
Other amps from Schiit can work with 300 ohm cans but the Valhalla is their best product if you want an amp designed to work with 300 ohm headphones. Other Schiit amps can work pretty well but the Valhalla is the best for this purpose.
Pay close attention to the specs for the headphone amp and the peak output of the Valhalla comes when operating into 300 ohms. You get enough power for 300 ohm headphones plus you get a tubed based amp which works very nicely with the headphones.
That is why the Bottlehead Crack is so popular with 300 ohm Sennheiser headphones. The Schiit Vahalla is the same type of amp but it is already assembled, manufactured in the USA and comes with a warranty.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 04/04/19
Thank you! This is very valuable information.
Terry
I was able to cancel my order for the Topping D50. I will spend a little more time investigating the various options that you have proposed and then decide. The Bottlehead Crack looks like a fun project but I'm not certain I want to take this on right now. The Schiit JOTUNHEIM with DAC only costs $500, about $100 over my total budget for amp and DAC, and seems to be very popular. The Lyr is about $200 more and is also very popular.
Anyway, thanks to everyone for your advice and guidance. This is much appreciated.
Terry
Terry
I've never experienced the level of detail and transparency common to tube amplification from anything solid state. I'm sure it's possible - somehow - but I gave up searching many years ago. I'll add that I've been an audio enthusiast since the late '60s, and I've heard a LOT of high end solid state gear. The combination of good phones (I use Grado) and tube amplification can be a real revelation. Good luck with your decision!
--------------------------
Buy Chinese. Bury freedom.
I have two Lyr 3 headphone amps and love them. Out of your price range though.
I bought a Vali for my youngest son. Really nice for the money ($149). Fifteen day trial period. You pay shipping both ways plus a 15% restocking fee if you don't like it.
There are long threads on both the Lyr 3 and Vali at head-fi and superbestaudiofriends.
I have a NAD 701 and while it has a very good headphone jack, I don't think it will match up well with your Sennheisers. I briefly owned the Sennheiser 580's and I didn't like them with the NAD. My opinion is a better match would be a tube amp capable of driving a 300 ohm load. The cheapest one I know of is a Garage 1217 Project Horizon, but I haven't actually heard it. I have a Project Sunrise but I use it with Grado RS-2's.
I have about five headphone circuits that I consider really listenable. They all sound different, too.If you get one of the inexpensive headphone amplifiers, sometimes you can add an upgraded power supply later that should really improve the sound.
So far, my best is a recently acquired Nuforce HA-200. It's not made anymore. It retailed for $350.00 though. I'm not crazy about it's configuration, but it does it's job in an acceptable fashion. Only issue I really have is that the power switch is in the rear and it gets very warm (but not hot), so I shut it down when not in use.
Lots of choices.
Edits: 04/01/19
Designed for high-impedance headphones, $300 as a kit - requires basic soldering skills. I have it on my 800's and will never part with it.
WW
"I'd crawl over twenty miles of bad country to listen to you pee in a tin cup on the telephone." (Jo Carol Pierce)
Thank you! This looks very interesting and I have built a number of kits over the years (my last with the Transcendent Grounded Grid preamp).
Terry
I'd be very tempted to go this Bottlehead DIY way. You could put into the circuit, what you felt were the best caps and resistors. Best tubes.
Worthy path. That personal touch and the smell of solder fumes!
8^)
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