Hi there;
I am curious about a need of a separate standalone high quality headphone amp for my Hifiman 1000. It is an open planar and I want to see its full performance. Below is the details of my current setup:
Naim Ndx2 Naim 555 DR connected to NDx2. Naim Supernait3 Naim Hicap DR connected to Supernait 3. Rega p8 Dynavector XX-2A Project RS2 Phonostage & Powerbox Focal Kanta 2
Appreciate your comments
I have Hifiman Arya headphones (among others) and I decided to buy a separate headphone amplifier some years ago. It is a Burson Conductor 3X Performance class-A headphone amplifier with balanced XLR connector. I use a custom balanced XLR cable from Forza AudioWorks. I am now using a Bluesound Node N130 as streamer into the digital coax connector (using the DAC of the Burson). I really like this setup.
Normally a separate headphone amp is required where the headphones need a little more umph! My Senheiser HD650s work fine with the built in output of my Node2i but they really come alive with a Graham Slee Solo preamp. Same with my ADSM where I had to boost the volume to a get decent frequency response.
Yes, if you want to get the best out of your headphones. I use a SPL Phontor SE with my Heddphone 2GT and Sennheiser HD800s cans.
Agree. A dedicated headphone amp should outperform the SN3 output, and you shouldn’t need to pay the earth. If you tell us your budget I am sure people can suggest various, although as usual a demo will be best.
Bruce
My amplifier is the Accuphase e650 so no slouch.
Whilst using SN3 I had to buy a separate headphone amplifier and ended up with the Ferrum Oor to make the most of the Meze Empyreans and Audezes. Sorry Naim that was never a strong point in the SN3.
Now the Oor has been sold on because the headphone output from the e650 is an exceptional performer.
I can spend up to 3K. What do you think about Macintosh tube headphone amp
Healthy budget. I’d make sure that the potential amps are a good match with your headphones first Then you could ask your/a dealer for some time to test different options. After all you wouldn’t want just to buy an amp for that money only to discover some time later that there had been other options that suit your taste better.
For that budget there is a lot of nice stuff available. Take your time to make a well-informed decision and possibly audition options. Things to consider:
Matching green glow.
Read up on the many headphone gurus to narrow down your choices.
Currawong on YouTube always was a favourite,gentle,passionate,knowledgeable commentator.
Enjoy the hunt.
I want to connect the amp directly to ndx2. So no dac, just pure standalone amp. Needs to be a good match with Hifiman. I read some comments about tubes are not great for planars. Not sure though
I have a HPA200 amp. Paid less than £2k and have rolled the tubes- the ones from Mcintosh were, well tosh. Cheapo JJ valves.
Great amp will make any cans sing. Use mine with Focal Clear and Meze Elites.
I have a pair of Audeze LCD-X cans that I’ve used with and without a headphone amp in a Naim system. I’m currently using a SN2/HiCap DR as a pre with a Headline 2 powered from the aux feed on the SN.
On occasion over the years I’ve gone back to using the output on the SN when the Headline was pulled out due to space constraints in my rack only to find its way back in. It’s nice to have the convenience of a remote for volume control but the Headline sounds superior to my ears. I’ve also tried Headline/HiCap combination which was better again but I haven’t been able to justify a dedicated power supply (yet).
I’m sure you can find something better than the Headline but personally I love the system synergy and listening experience it brings to my setup.
You don’t need to spend lots of money. I have been using a Topping A90 Discrete and find it works very well indeed. My ‘phones are Dan Clarke Audio Stealth, which are low impedance and somewhat demanding on the amplifier, in spite of being very very good ‘phones. I have also been using a Benchmark DAC3 HGC, which is also a top grade headphone amp, but as the name suggests is also a DAC and actually a pre-amp as well. Ideal for me, but perhaps overkill for many.
I have roughly the same system as you. I have a separate headphone system, which whilst relatively modest compared to some sounds better than the SN3 headphone socket.
My system is: Roon (crossfeed + eq)> Senn HDV820 > HD820.
I made the decision and go with Laiv Harmony headphone amp. So far, I am impressed. The details are very good. It is driving my hifiman HE1000 headphones with a great control and presence
I have a Topping A90 bridging my Arya Organics and NAIM OC system.
Simply breathtaking.
