Looking for a headphone amp around 200

[mxlv900]

Hi,

I'm looking to get a headphone amp to use with my Topping E30. My max budget is around 200 USD. Right now, I have Audio-Technica M40x in my possession as well as the KZ Z10s Pro iems. I'm also looking forward to buying other pairs of headphones in the future like the Sennheiser 6xx and I'd like the amp to be able to drive that kind of stuff as well. I'd also like the amp to have a set of RCA outputs so I can pass the signal to other gear.

I thought of amps like the L30 or the A50s but some people say they are not powerful enough or that the interconnect power doesn't match so I don't really know what to think about that.

I live in Canada and not everything is available here. Consequently, I'd like to get a list of possibilities to choose from so I can find something available in my country.

Thank you, I know you guys will be of great help

 

[solderdude]

I thought of amps like the L30 or the A50s but some people say they are not powerful enough or that the interconnect power doesn't match so I don't really know what to think about that.

All nonsense (there is some truth but is not an issue unless you are driving HE6 or K1000 headphones and are using a lot of EQ.
The E30 and L30, or A50s have no issues driving all the mentioned headphones.

 

[mxlv900]

All nonsense. The E30 and L30, or A50s have no issues driving all the mentioned headphones.

Thanks for your quick response. What amp would you choose between those two?

 

[devopsprodude]

Schiit Magni Heresy is worth a look, IMO. Cost in USD is $100+shipping (not sure what it would cost to ship it to Canada). Might be able to buy them via Amazon as well. https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-1

 

[mxlv900]

Schiit Magni Heresy is worth a look, IMO. Cost in USD is $100+shipping (not sure what it would cost to ship it to Canada). Might be able to buy them via Amazon as well. https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-1

Interesting! Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[devopsprodude]

Sorry, just checked and you get get the Modi 3+, but not the Heresy on Amazon, apparently. Modi 3+ also tested very well here, but not as well as the Heresy.

 

[solderdude]

Thanks for your quick response. What amp would you choose between those two?

Seeing you use IEM's as well I would suggest the L30. It's more flexible.

You can also consider the JDS labs Atom or Schiit Heresy in that price range.

 

[fun]

Thanks for your quick response. What amp would you choose between those two?

I have the E30 and L30. Very happy and have no desire to upgrade. E30 and L30 stack nicely together, so I would go that route, unless you care about the balanced headphone out of the A50s.

 

[devopsprodude]

Amir's review of the Modi 3+ and Heresy https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...gni-3-and-heresy-headphone-amp-reviews.10311/

 

[mxlv900]

Sorry, just checked and you get get the Modi 3+, but not the Heresy on Amazon, apparently. Modi 3+ also tested very well here, but not as well as the Heresy.

I mean at this price importing it from the US would definitely be an option. Just curious to know if the performances are as good as the two other amps that were mentioned earlier...

 

[mxlv900]

I have the E30 and L30. Very happy and have no desire to upgrade. E30 and L30 stack nicely together, so I would go that route, unless you care about the balanced headphone out of the A50s.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'll definitely consider this

 

[devopsprodude]

Amir's review of the L30 https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...topping-l30-headphone-amplifier-review.15226/

Amir's review of the A50s https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...opping-a50s-headphone-amplifier-review.16290/

Heresy, L30, and A50s all look like good amps to me. L30 and A50s measure better in terms of distortion, but Heresy has more power (unless you use the balanced output of the A50s).

 

[mxlv900]

Amir's review of the L30 https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...topping-l30-headphone-amplifier-review.15226/

Amir's review of the A50s https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...opping-a50s-headphone-amplifier-review.16290/

Heresy, L30, and A50s all look like good amps to me.

Thank you! I also know for a fact that even if they all measure pretty close (especially the 2 Toppings for obvious reasons), they can sound very different. Would you say there's a reviewer out there on Youtube that's more reliable and consistent than others so I can check what they have to say?

 

[mxlv900]

Seeing you use IEM's as well I would suggest the L30. It's more flexible.

You can also consider the JDS labs Atom or Schiit Heresy in that price range.

Good point, low gain setting surely is an advantage.

 

[devopsprodude]

Thank you! I also know for a fact that even if they all measure pretty close (especially the 2 Toppings for obvious reasons), they can sound very different. Would you say there's a reviewer out there on Youtube that's more reliable and consistent than others so I can check what they have to say?

I would not expect any of these three amps to sound noticeably different unless you got a defective unit. They are all testing as very transparent.

 

[devopsprodude]

I'm also looking forward to buying other pairs of headphones in the future like the Sennheiser 6xx and I'd like the amp to be able to drive that kind of stuff as well.

Assuming you're not planning on running the 6XX cans with balanced input?

 

[mxlv900]

Assuming you're not planning on running the 6XX cans with balanced input?

I'm not very aware of the benefits of doing this... Should I buy the A50s for that particular purpose?

 

[devopsprodude]

More power from amps that provide more power to balanced headphone output. A50s is one such amp, yes, or Schiit Magnius. Magnius doesn't measure so great for single ended output, plus it's more than $200 because of shipping.

 

[mxlv900]

More power from amps that provide more power to balanced headphone output. A50s is one such amp, yes, or Schiit Magnius. Magnius doesn't measure so great for single ended output, plus it's more than $200 because of shipping.

Thanks for your explanation. I think the A50s will be my final choice.

 

[devopsprodude]

Thanks for your explanation. I think the A50s will be my final choice.

Hope it works well for you. In any case, let us know what you think about it when you get it.