Needed: Headphone Amp with DC Protection

[sherm137]

Hello all,

I would like recommendations on headphone amps with DC protection. I would like to keep my purchase under $300 if possible. Amp/DAC combo units would also be a huge plus for me. Also, an output impedance of 1 or less would be preferred, as one of my headphones is a Verum 1, which I believe has an impedance rating of 8 ohms.

I have searched the forums for a recommendations but haven't found anything yet, so I apologize if this has been discussed before.

Also, please do me a favor and keep the discussion of whether DC protection is needed or not out of this thread. I have made up my mind that I want DC protection to protect some decently expensive headphones. If someone would like to discuss that in another thread, I think it would be an interesting read but don't want to derail this thread.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

 

[twsecrest]

I would assume something like a UPS power supply would be a good choice.
And a Schiit Modi/Magni DAC/amp or a Topping DX3 Pro.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Topping L30 and A50s that's coming soon have DC protection. Even though you don't want to hear it, DC protection is not very necessary. It's something that almost never happen if you don't mess with the internals like swapping opamps etc.

 

[ruinevil]

Schiit started putting relays into their amplifiers after the Asgard and later Lyr 2 started destroying headphones.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Schiit started putting relays into their amplifiers after the Asgard and later Lyr 2 started destroying headphones.

Those aren't the same.

 

[sherm137]

I think all the low-end Schiit stuff doesn't have the protection.

The topping stuff may be interesting. Do you happen to know the impedance on it? I thought I saw it was around 4.

 

[solderdude]

SP200

Verum 1 doesn't mind a higher output R. Can even be > 10 Ohm without any audible effects b.t.w.

 

[JohnYang1997]

I think all the low-end Schiit stuff doesn't have the protection.

The topping stuff may be interesting. Do you happen to know the impedance on it? I thought I saw it was around 4.

< 0.1Ohmm SE, <0.2 Ohm BAL for all coming headphone amps from topping.

 

[sherm137]

Maybe I will have to wait and see how this new Topping stuff performs before making a decision. Though, I do like supporting American companies when possible but it doesn't seem like many of them have what I want.