Headphone amp

[keg62]

Hi guys this is my first post so hi again. My system is Marantz NA6005 Marantz PM KI Pearl Lite Tannoy DC6 Musical Fidelity xcans Grado 325e AKG k701 . I have started using headphones quite a lot now and am considering a headphone amp upgrade. Looking at Marantz HD Dac 1 or a Graham Slee product would the dac1 be any improvement over the pearl lite headphone stage or the xcans or would the dedicated Graham Slee ultra linear be a better option I love the Marantz smooth sound

 

[dalethorn]

Hi guys this is my first post so hi again. My system is Marantz NA6005 Marantz PM KI Pearl Lite Tannoy DC6 Musical Fidelity xcans Grado 325e AKG k701 . I have started using headphones quite a lot now and am considering a headphone amp upgrade. Looking at Marantz HD Dac 1 or a Graham Slee product would the dac1 be any improvement over the pearl lite headphone stage or the xcans or would the dedicated Graham Slee ultra linear be a better option I love the Marantz smooth sound

If you're getting smooth sound with those 2 headphones, then be careful picking a solid state headphone amp. Read some trustworthy reviews from real headphone sites, and look especially for 'smoothness' concepts. Avoid bright amps at all costs.

 

[rich51080]

Under £250 take a look at this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Headphone-Earphone-Amplifier-Pre-AMP/dp/B004S7G0N2

Highly regarded on headfi.org and for the price is amazing.

Want to pay a little more then I would look at the Schiit Lyr 2 - fabulous amp for under £300.

Icon Audio make some wonderful sounding amps especially their tube amplifiers. Amazing clarity and detail retrieval and would suit the AKG and Grado you have.

I use a Lehmann for my vast array of headphone and can highly recommend the Linear Black Cube.

If you want to spend over a grand then I suggest an Auralic amp, maybe the Taurus model. It has rave reviews but I am not sure of the avilability for the UK. Known as one of the best headphones amp available at any price. I will one day come to own this highly regarded solid state amp.

 

[keg62]

Thanks guys for replying

 

[JoelSim]

Graham Slee are very nice, so are Lehmann as mentioned and also Beyerdynamic.