Headphone amp

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

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Looking for opinions. Currently I am using my Benchmark DAC3 HGC purely as a headphone amplifier. I am having my W4S DAC handle the heavy lifting and sending the analog signal to the Benchmark. So the Benchmark is not using much of it's capabilities.

Granted it is one heck of a headphone amp, even receiving Stereophile's A rating, but wasting much of it's functions. Therefore I will probably move it on to someone who will more fully use it's capabilities.

So I am looking for suggestions on headphone amps, without DACs, in the under $1k range.

I have had the Schiit recommended to me. Thoughts? Suggestions? I am not interested in hearing about off shoot products that may be hard to find. I want to know about alternatives that I can be easily obtained.

Or would I be better to just keep the Benchmark even though I am not using many of it's functions. After all, it is a great back up DAC (latest ESS chip), and backup pre-amplifier...
 
Hey Jack... yea Jason is a good guy and I have no issues considering his gear. Do you have a preference between the NuPrime or the Schiit
 
I would probably go with the Nuprime personally because I am familiar with their gear and Jason plus it has more flexibility. On the other hand the Schitt design is tried and tested and on it second revision. Plus if it matters to you it has tubes. I think both allow you a test period so you could try both.
 
I agree on Jason. He is great and stands behind his gear. I also like that Schiit is American made and the idea of being tube and solid state is intriguing.

Or I may just stay with the Benchmark. It is probably better than either of the others as a headphone amplifier and has tremendous flexibility as a backup pre-amp and new generation ESS chip DAC. I just was looking through the new Stereophile issue. Not only did the piece get an A+ rating as a DAC (very rare rating) but was given a separate A rating as a headphone amplifier. It is just an expensive unit to use only part of it's capabilities...

We'll see how it all plays out in the next few days. :)
 
I was able to sell the Benchmark. I wanted to get a straight headphone amplifier, with no DAC or anything else for that matter. I am going to hook it up as another amplifier in my system. My preamplifier, the W4S STP-SE has four outputs, making this very easy. I also decided I wanted to try tubes with rolling capability. Anyway I decided on a Woo Audio WA6. AA has a 30 day return if I simply do not like it.
 
Randy

Congrats on the new Woo. If you decide to tube roll it you need to be careful. Most all of these companies are selling their products with "cheap to them" Chinese or Russian tubes. You can make improvements if NOS equivalents are available. On the rectifier front the NOS quality 5AR4 tubes are expensive and more neutral (SS) sounding while the 5U4 tube family is more available and cheaper. I would stay away from the "modern" tubes no matter what name brand is recommended. They are all made in in the same factories to the same specs with the pricing determined by cosmetics and packaging. You can buy a quality NOS 5U4 tube for less than $25. I don't have a clue about a replacement for the two power tubes but I am sure the guys on head.fi do.
 
Thanks Jack. At first I plan on just getting used to it with what comes with it. I know Woo sells tubes, but probably a little on the expensive side. I heard that the rectifier tube would make the biggest difference rolling, but the standard is not bad.

I want to play around with setup and cabling first any way. I sort of want to separate it from the rack a little, but I love the idea of running it off the STP-SE. I know that works since I was running the Benchmark that way.
 
Randy

If you decide you want to buy a quality NOS rectifier tube without getting gouged let me know and I will point you in the right direction or I probably have multiples.
 
Hey Jack, I will definitely do that! Very much appreciated. Probably before to long I will try some other ones. If for no other reason than to play around with tube rolling. Just to experiment first hand what sound differences there are in changing out tubes. It sounds interesting and like a lot of fun!

The Woo is supposed to arrive tomorrow so I will be able to start playing around with it. I have my Sennheiser cans and will probably grab my KEF back from EJ soon just to listen to a variety.
 
We have Woo .... First listen, pretty darn good. Of course not even close to being broken in. Woo suggests 150+ hours for the unit to reach top performance. My HD800S headphones have never sounded so good.
 
I have had a couple people ask for photos :)

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I had an issue over the weekend where the amp got very distorted. After pulling the tubes a couple times and reseating them it seemed to clear up. I was still concerned so I spoke with Michael at Woo. He believes one of the tubes may not be perfect so he is sending me replacements. All I can say is that Woo impressed the heck out of me. Great service, friendly, and definitely understanding their product.

One other bit of interesting news is that the 6DE7 tubes are actual NOS tubes. They actually send NOS output tubes with the unit! I ordered a NOS rectifier tube that Jack recommended to play around with rolling a bit.

Also, thank you Jack for helping troubleshooting, etc. I was concerned when it first happened (out of the blue), but Jack's excellent help and knowledge of tube equipment was a God send!
 
I picked up a special tube from Upscale Audio; here is a review by Bob Levi on the NOS Philips 5R4GYS Rectifier Tube Made in Holland. It was a little pricy but oh what a sound. I did not think a rectifier tube would make this much of a difference. And it is not even close to being broken in. First listen, more detail, smoother, instruments had more air between them. Quite amazing. My Sennheisre have never sounded so good!

"This 1960's made tube developed for rugged video application has been found in quantity by Upscale Audio, in Upland, CA. Kevin Deal searches the world for new old stock tubes hidden in the wildest places, and he struck gold here! It may have been made for video, but it kicks ass for audio!!From Upscale:
The Sound
I compared them to the holy grail of rectifiers, the Mullard GZ34/5AR4 which I bought used for $80. New is $250, if you can find them. In the ModWright PS9 Power supply and in a Dynaco Stereo 70, the Phillips worked wonders. I experienced more definition, more subtlety, more elegance, tighter imaging, fleshier, quicker, added depth, and just more realism. Vocals are better than ever, and alive with inner definition and nuance."
 
I have got to say, this 50+ year old tube (NOS) sounds amazing. I find I am using headphones more than speakers lately and the Woo amp with this rectifier tube is fantastic!
 
Randy, what say Woo?

How is it holding up?
Looking to purchase an upgrade.

My first foray into serious headphone listening started 18 month ago with a PangeaHP201 and Senn 650.

At Christmas upgraded to 800 and LOVE them.

Now, it is time for a great headphone amp. Looking at offerings from Schitt, Sennheiser and Woo. Looking to spend up to $2K.

Any suggestions?
 
Well the Woo was/is a very nice amp. A friend of mine is using it. This is his entry back into this crazy hobby. He is enjoying tube rolling :)...

I got as Bryston headphone amp and recently replaced the Sennheiser cans with a pair of MrSpeakers Ethers. They are one of the few headphones that I felt are as comfortable as the Sennheiser, but I liked the sound better.
 
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