Now that I’ve got a Flatcap 2, which is linked to a CD5, I guess I could also use it to power a Headline, right?
If I forget for a moment about the fact that I’d have to find a Headline, I’m wondering whether it would make any difference when comparing it to the simple Little Dot I+ (tube hybrid amp) I currently use to drive my lovely Grado SR325e cans.
A views on this?
Hi
I would look for a Headline 2 headphone amplifier, that is more preferable later model.
A Naim napsc would also be a better power supply, but the flatcap 2 would be okay.
A Naim SLIC lead will be required also.
Regards
Pieman.
I have both Headline1 (olive) and Headline2 (black). I have run both from NAPSC1 (olive), NAPSC2 (black), and Hicap (olive). Cans have bee all Sennheiser…420, 650 & 800S.
Currently the olive HL & HC are on the main system, and the black HL & NAPSC are on the lounge RPi streamer.
It’s a nice headphone amp. I have found that differences between the various combinations (as noted above) are not insignificant. Naturally, other opinions are available.
Thank you!
I’ve had a look at HL1&2 used prices and I’m not sure if these are good value for money. The HLs also need a specific cable for power connectivity, which drives the price even higher. Many other headphone amp options are available.
Also, given that I’m happy with my chinese Little Dot I+, I’d probably rather invest the funds in more music than equipment.
Both NAPSC1 and NAPSC2 have fixed secondary power cables to supply the HL.
I used to have a Headline2/NAPSC2 - nothing special.
I have a Headline 2 powered by a HiCap DR. The source is an NDS. My headphones are Audeze LCD-X. It sounds very, very good.
I would recommend a Headline 2 over a Headline 1 due to the improved volume control. It got upgraded to an Alps pot in the Headline 2.
The HeadLine’s value really comes down to having a spare power supply or not. If you do (which you do) and the HeadLine is second hand, then it becomes damn hard to better for the money. Though it drove my HD600 fine with the NAPSC, I was less convinved with the HD800 until powering it with a HCdr. I’d possibly rate the also discontinued Rega Ear as better than a Headline with NAPSC. Maybe another option to consider.
As a new purchase with a new power supply, there are definitely better headphone amps for that sort of money, but on it’s own bolted onto existing kit it’s fantastic VFM.
Hi FZ
What other headphone amps are you thinking of as better VFM?
I’ve got a Chinese Little Dot I+, which I’ve modified with Millard tubes and a better sounding Op Amp. I’m very happy with the sound of it when paired with the Grados I have. I doubt that a Headline would transform the sound of the Grados significantly.
Instead, I’ve now gone down the path of connecting a Stageline to my FC2 instead, which gives me more sound improvement when compared to an internal MM phono stage in my preamp.
I know this a slightly strange way to look at it, but I saw the additional connection from the FC2 as an opportunity.
Prior to the Headline2, I had the (also now discontinued and available cheap) Rega Ear. I felt that the Ear, despite it’s low price was as good as a Headline with a NAPSC and better at driving more difficult headphones.
To be honest, the market is full of some excellent headphone amps at around the same cost as the HeadlIne2 was naked (no power supply).
But in this case, the OP actually has a spare power supply, so as I mentioned, a second hand HL2 without needing to buy a new power supply is really hard to beat. When I got my HL2 I ended up powering it with a spare HCdr and that was really something special indeed. But of course, new the cost of a HL2+HCdr is really against some stiff competition. Eventually I moved on to something else entirely and the HL2 is sitting in a box in the garage.
If I had no power supply and was after a really great VFM product, I’d go straight back to a Rega Ear.
That’s great thank you
Do you know if hi caps need to be matching (dr vs non)?
Not sure I understand. You can only use one power supply with the Headline. So it won’t matter whether it is DR or not. There’s nothing to “match”. Obviously a DR might sound better.
Yes that makes sense. Thanks again
Dear FZ
Slightly off topic, but I’m thinking ahead to TT upgrade (technics potentially which you have). Do you use a superline N with hi cap? How do you find it with sumiko (reason I ask is that I may have a spare hc soon)
Best
Tom