I’m primary a speaker guy but I’d like to use headphones with my 252 when the situation mandates. I can pick up a headline for a great price but I’m wondering what I can power it with on the cheap.
You can’t get any cheaper then the Supercap DR you already have @Lipper , you just need to add a SLIC lead if the Headline doesn’t come with one.
That goes directly against the headline manual.
And also forum advice going back eons.
Also some more recent threads
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Ahhh, yes your right @IainO 
NAPSC is the cheapest option then.
Sorry wasn’t trying to be picky, seems it simply isn’t advised. Those threads have some good tech info (esp the old forum one).
I really looked into it as I was interested in the answer. Have been considering a headline or Atom HE for lounge use whilst SWMBO watches junk telly. Headline seems cheap, but once you add PSU it costs a bit more and unfortunately also requires another power socket. We’re full, so HE tucked behind sofa might win.
Or I could move PS5 and utilise long USB and HDMI to free up a socket. Might be cheaper!
No problem, i should have done a search myself in the first place. A NAPSC can be picked up fairly cheap nowdays anyway.
Yeah NAPSC2 seems cheap until you read forum threads about how a Powerline improves headline performance 
I know I wouldn’t be able to resist trying.
Headphone solution is on the 2026 list of things to consider.
A headphone solution was something i started looking for when i bought my 282. In the end i decided on the Michael Fidler Spartan 30. It’s discontinued now, which is a shame because it’s a craking headphone amp and was a complete bargain at £500.
The HL2 is a superb headphone amp but, it’s value only really makes sense if you already have a spare power supply. Which many people who bought a HL/2 did.
Once you add the cost of a power supply, even the NAPSC, it becomes less attractive and, in my view, outperformed by other headphone amps that cost more than a HL2 but less than a HL2/NAPSC.
I used to have a Rega Ear before the HL2 and if you can find one second hand (of any vintage) I’d go for that. My HL2/HCdr was far superior to the Rega Ear, but the Ear was superior to the HL2/NAPSC.
In short:
- If you have a spare PSU, the HL2 is a bargain.
- If you don’t have a spare PSU, the HL2 isn’t worth the money.
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There are better HPAs out there for less money and they don’t require PSU upgrades. It starts with what cans you have. Are they easy to drive or not? Everyone will drop in here and suggest a £4k PSU with a £300 headline. If that suits, fill your boots. But for me, the issue of cost is right up there as a priority. So, if I had sub £350 to spend, even with Senn HD600 (not an easy can to drive), then I’d suggest a pre-owned MF x-can v2 or v3. The v3 is better and they are on eBay for £150. If you’re handy with a soldering iron, then they can be easily upgraded.
Haven’t got that far down the road yet. I’m know there are some long threads on here I need to read,
Headphone use might be sporadic, and seasonal.
I am, so will google that.
Think the £150 figure is sans PSU.
The v3 is the better of the v2 and easier to “ upgrade” with a soldering iron. Plus it has a decent headphone jack and alps pot. Capacitor “upgrades” are easy and beneficial. The whole thing with wall wart about £150.
Yes I found an instruction page for caps replacement, seems simple.
Food for thought.
With wall wart 150, with PSU only 250 seems good value.
Powered mine with a NAP SC, sounded excellent. Sadly let it go a while ago now
The only correct answer is the Naim I-supply. Where can I get my prize?
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Behave
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Sorry, I’m getting in the mood. Kingsday is ahead and the country turns crazy.
But, i thought you Dutch were all crazy 24/7 anyway 
It will need the (H) adaptor though…
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