need help choosing headphone amp

[bsdinis]

Hi, I'm about to buy a Topping D10 Balanced to use with a pair of active monitors some time in the future.
My issue is that I am not able to find any headphone amplifier with balanced input and single-ended output. Is there any?

 

[Doodski]

Hi, I'm about to buy a Topping D10 Balanced to use with a pair of active monitors some time in the future.
My issue is that I am not able to find any headphone amplifier with balanced input and single-ended output. Is there any?

Is price a factor. What kind of range might you have in mind?

 

[cinemakinoeye]

I have a Schiit Jotunheim 2, headphone amp, it has both balanced and single-ended preamp in and outs, and has a switch to enable or disable the pre-out. I have been using it to drive both headphones and a power amp and speakers for a tad over a year with no buyers regret. It can be ordered with built-in ES9028 DAC card or without. Lately, I’ve been using it with a Schiit Modius balanced DAC that measures quite well.

 

[westyjeff]

Find a THX789, still the best bang for the buck.

 

[Doodski]

The Schiit Heretic is good and for the price they charge it's great.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

www.schiit.com

 

[bsdinis]

Is price a factor. What kind of range might you have in mind?

yes, about $150

 

[bsdinis]

The Schiit Heretic is good and for the price they charge it's great.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

www.schiit.com

that one is single-ended only, no way to connect to a D10B

 

[cinemakinoeye]

If you are looking for balanced input and balanced output with XLR connectors as well as standard (6.5mm) and balanced (XLR-4) headphone outs, is there anything else in the marketplace that compares to the Schiit Jotunheim 2?

 

[bsdinis]

If you are looking for balanced input and balanced output with XLR connectors as well as standard (6.5mm) and balanced (XLR-4) headphone outs, is there anything else in the marketplace that compares to the Schiit Jotunheim 2?

I am looking for a headphone amplifier with balanced input and single-ended output for a Topping D10 Balanced, and the SMSL HO100 is exactly what I am looking for.

 

[staticV3]

Here are the least expensive headphone Amps with Bal input and SE output:

-Sabaj A20h ($120 via hifi-express.com)
-SMSL SH-8s ($130 via Drop.com)
-ifi ZEN CAN ($150 via headamp.com)
-SMSL HO100 ($150)
-Topping L50 ($170)

 

[cinemakinoeye]

I am looking for a headphone amplifier with balanced input and single-ended output for a Topping D10 Balanced, and the SMSL HO100 is exactly what I am looking for.

That looks like a reasonable option if you don't also need balanced preamp outs; I needed balanced headphones and preamp outs, which is why I chose the Schiit Jotunheim, but the SMSL HO100 looks like a nice device if you don't need balanced preamp outs (I also wanted a silver box, but that's another story altogether).

 

[bsdinis]

between SMSL SH-8S and Sabaj A20h, which one would any of you choose?