First Headphone Amp (Little Dot?, Pro-ject?)

[mattatnotts]

I recently purchased a home cinema setup and had to sacrifice the dedicated stereo setup in the process, so I’m considering venturing into headphone listening. My sources are a Project Genie turntable and a Sonos Connect through a Yamaha RX-V673 amp.

Grado or AKG headphones are frontrunners at the moment, but I’m less sure which way to go on a dedicated headphone amp. So far I’ve got 2 (widely different) options.

Little Dot MkIII – always fancied trying valves and I like the idea of this sitting next to the turntable.

Pro-ject DS Head Box – Slightly more flexible (inputs) / future proofed.

Anyone have any thoughts / recommendations / experiences of either of the above?

 

[dalethorn]

I think you've picked two winners. Just be sure to check the connections and power output at the different ohms, so there's headroom for the dynamics of your headphones (Grado should be fine - not sure about AKG).

 

[Anonymous]

You can change the gain on LD III and x5 is recommended for AKG 550s. Some people online report good results.

 

[quadpatch]

I would warn against the K550 unless you can borrow them for a while and really see if you like them. I say this because there's a lot about them that I did not like and I didn't pick up on it from trying them in the shop. These thoughts are shared by quite a few people too, so just be careful here. If you're thinking of a K701/Q701 I think that's safer, you stil have to be aware of the tonality before jumping in. Much of the bass response is lacking/light, but they do have a very wide (and nice) soundstage and great detail for the price. Out of the two brands I think Grado is safer still overall, even considering how much we get ripped off for them in the UK.

Amp wise they both look interesting and I like the idea of the turntable > valve amp > Grado the most. Out of curiosity, how much were you thinking to spend on the headphones? (which models were you thinking of). Do you like the idea of a very neutral sound, or are you looking for excitement, if the latter which area do you look for excitement in the most - bass or mids?

 

[mattatnotts]

I was thinking around the 150 mark, so akg550 or grado sr80 or 125?? I listen to mostly rock music, and like decent bass but don't want it overpowering. Much prefer to hear detail across the whole frequency range. Most of my vinyl is older stuff (beatles, stones, who and such like). The akg's mean I can listen without worrying about disturbing others (watching tv?), but I do like the look of the grados.

 

[Anonymous]

What is your source? If it's PC/laptop then consider a dedicated DAC/headphone amp.

 

[quadpatch]

I was thinking around the 150 mark, so akg550 or grado sr80 or 125?? I listen to mostly rock music, and like decent bass but don't want it overpowering. Much prefer to hear detail across the whole frequency range. Most of my vinyl is older stuff (beatles, stones, who and such like). The akg's mean I can listen without worrying about disturbing others (watching tv?), but I do like the look of the grados.

My recommendation would be the Grado, but if you would prefer a closed back headphone then I highly recommend stretching your budget a tad to consider the SoundMAGIC HP100. I think it would suit what you're looking for in your music. The Grados are not as neutral or detailed, but they are possibly more exciting and definitely more airy. That said the soundstage of the HP100 is pretty impressive for a headphone with such good isolation.

 

[iamthegruffalo]

I have just pushed the button on a Musical fidelity M1HPAP and AKG 551, arriving Tuesday. Looking forward to this.

 

[Womaz]

I have just pushed the button on a Musical fidelity M1HPAP and AKG 551, arriving Tuesday. Looking forward to this.

i have this amp with the AKG Q701 and I love the combination so don't think you will be disappointed, as long as you are not a bass head,

 

[pauln]

My sources are a Project Genie turntable and a Sonos Connect through a Yamaha RX-V673 amp.

What is your source? If it's PC/laptop then consider a dedicated DAC/headphone amp.

:?

 

[iamthegruffalo]

Im no bass head, otherwise I guess I could have bought a pair of those HMV Dre beats monstrosities. I casually tried several pairs a few weeks ago whilst browsing in store, wow, how awful, beat a hasty retreat, pardon the pun.

 

[nima]

I only have it for two days, so far I am impressed by Schiit Vali. I can not be more specific at the moment, however I feel the Vali might be all the amp 90% of people would ever need. Probably better to relocate the funds for a more expensive amp towards better source and headphones. In the UK Vali is available from http://www.electromod.co.uk for 120GBP (a little less than what I paid for Vali + shipping from US + customs etc. in my country) and probably can be returned if one finds it disappointing.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Hi, mattatnotts, I enjoyed a Little Dot 3 for some time, until I went for one box (see my Sig). It gives you flexibility to change the gain to suit different impedance phones, and also changing the tubes will affect the sound. I listened through Alessandro MS1 phones, which are officially modified Grado SR80s, but fuller, not quite so "toppy"? They're much better with the open ring shaped pads, not the ones they come with, which muffle them. They're available direct, and are/were cheaper than SR80s, and well worth considering. And the LD3 does look good, too, but does get warm so needs a bit of space.