Which headphone amp to buy?

Hi-Fi Corner
1

Hi all,

I have a Nait 1 which is lacking a headphone output so I am looking to buy a headphone amp. Today I am using my SoHo 45s headphones with an AirFly SE Bluetooth dongle that takes it’s signal from the tape socket on the Nait 1.

It sounds fine but the increments on the volume controls on the BT dongle and headphones is too large, which makes it hard to find the right listening level. I need a normal volume control as on a headphone amp.

Any suggestions based on personal experience would be very welcome. Price range up to £ 300.

2

Graham Slee Novo Headphone Amplifier?

3 Likes
3

Why not find a used headline w/ napsc? I own two headphone amps, which I use with my Nait 1 and 2–one of which cost me a whole heck of a lot more than the headline—and I kinda prefer the headline on most occasions. I have HD800s, as well as pairs of Denon and Fostex, and the headline handles each with aplomb.

1 Like
4

The Arcam rHead is a good thing. Discontinued but they crop up s/h at good prices. A Headline and NAPSC is way over your budget.

Are you are buying new headphones too? If you can demo them together with your intended amp it would be sensible.

Bruce

3 Likes
5

Another vote for Headline & NAP SC.
Bought the same last year. Had both serviced by Darren at Class A and have been magnificent on our 2nd system with the Meze 109 Pro Headphones.

6

For £300? Really?

7

I have chance on a used SMSL SP200. Have anyone listened to it?

8

Topping A90 or A90D… I got it, for about £300 second hand it’s really excellent!

1 Like
9

I have a Bursen Soloist MkI, as a spare, that is around the price quoted. Just haven’t listed it for sale, as yet.

Drives most headlines, used to good effect with my Dan Clark Audio Aeon2 Noire and B&W P5 Series2

1 Like
10

If you can find a Rega EAR, its rather good value.

1 Like
11

A pre-owned Creek ONH-21SE? Or Rega Ear?

Or new iFi Zen Can 3?

12

Sorry, missed the budget figure🫣

13

My Headline and NAPSC were £250 from the Bay. Sound is pretty fine.

14

If going for a pre-owned Creek, it might as well be a black & green OBH-11 :grinning:

194184-b4ec2184-creek_obh11_headphone_amp
194184-b4ec2184-creek_obh11_headphone_amp1024×768 85 KB

1 Like
15

Graham Slee Solo with PSU1 used on eBay within your budget.

16

The Naim headphone amp was good in its day but has had no development and it becomes a faff with cables and power supplies so hard to recommend….

I sold mine and bought the below second hand for £300 sounds better than Naha with hicap and better than the Sennheiser headphone amp.

IMG_0992
IMG_09921425×1411 251 KB

3 Likes
17

Paid about 350 usd for my set, which is why I said used.

18

For under £300 if you can solder you might want to take a look at the Whammy headphone amp available from DIY audio. It was designed by no other than Wayne Colburn for his own use. If your not familiar with the name Wayne has been Nelson Passes right hand man for the last 25 years or so and is responsible for designing the majority of the high end uber expensive Nelson Pass preamps and phono amps.

19

I am unfortunately no good at soldering and furthermore the freight US to Sweden, import VAT at 25% and customs charges laid upon the price of 300 USD will make it out of budget.

20

That’s a shame as it’s a cracking little amp. It’s not to clear on the website but it’s also possible to purchase just the PCB for $20 and you then get to source parts and chassis from local suppliers which save on shipping and save roughly a third on buying the whole kit.

Soldering is a pretty handy skill to learn in the audio hobby.