Post by Owen Y on Aug 13, 2020 18:49:33 GMT 12
A significant sector of people (especially young people) are into headphone listening these days, so here's thread for entry-level headphone amps.... At US$99 (factory-direct) we have the SCHIIT Magni, which comes in 2 versions: SCHIIT Magni 3+ - " all-discrete current-feedback headphone amp "  SCHIIT Magni Heresy - " an all-op-amp based headphone amp that uses super high quality parts "  Maximum Power, 16 ohms: 2.8W RMS per channel Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 2.4W RMS per channel Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 1.6W RMS per channel Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 410mW RMS per channel Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 215mW RMS per channel Scope-jockey dude dudio AudioScience Review (10 Dec 2019), gave these a conditional thumbs-up, the SCHIIT Heresy in particular: " There was no sonic difference (between the two) that I could detect. " However.... " I am happy to give a very strong recommendation to Schiit Magni Heresy. It has exemplary performance coupled with a solid metal box. " * The other, Magni 3+ version had more measured channel imbalance in its analogue volume pot. However, as it appears from the website pics, that both versions use the same 9mm volume pot, there may be random tolerance variation here, regardless of model version.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 13, 2020 21:42:54 GMT 12
If you can stretch to US$199, just announced this week is the SCHIIT Magnius - made in USA, sold factory-direct, as for all SCHIIT products. From the SCHIIT Magnius webpage: - 5Wpc from its balanced headphone output at 32 ohms, with THD+N approaching -120dB. (Max. power 1Wpc at 300 ohms.) - Alps RK27 4-gang balanced pot gives fine control and excellent tracking (channel matching). - Very high-end integrated circuits, including buffers with feedforward, exotic fully differential op-amps, and powerful current-feedback outputs in a composite configuration to reduce THD and noise to vanishingly low levels. " If you’re looking for measurements, Magnius is our best-measuring amp..." - Balanced and single-ended preamp outputs, enables connection to powered monitors for a complete system. - Balanced and single-ended inputs, and two gain levels. These connections use best-in-class Neutrik connectors, together with Alps signal switches. - 2-Year Warranty and 15-Day Return Policy Looking forward to seeing reviews of this one.  (Black colour only.) 
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 13, 2020 22:21:11 GMT 12
John Grandberg at DARKO reported (2 days ago): The SCHIIT Asgard 3 (US$199) is labelled as a "Modular Headphone Amp-DAC-Preamp", on their webpage: - Developed from SCHIIT's first product, introduced in 2010. - SCHIIT's unique Continuity™ topology that extends the benefits of Class A output. - 3.5Wpc into 32 ohms, while also running 500mW of Class A bias... low noise floor, 1/4" output jack. - Selectable rear-panel analog input, high or low gain with front switches.... & rear preamp output for powered monitors. - DAC cards options available - (i) AK4490 G2 DAC module , delta-sigma DAC, $100, or (2) SCHIIT'sTrue Multibit™ DAC Module, $200. - 5-year limited warranty & 15-day return policy. " Asgard 3 serves up confident dynamics with a huge sense of scale. " " Driving the Sennheiser HD650, it actually feels a lot like a quality tube amplifier: a rich, slightly euphonic coloration (without going overboard) and delivering beautiful timbre. Treble is ever so slightly pulled back in the mix but remains quite resolving, making for an intoxicating balance of detail and smoothness. " " the Asgard 3 isn’t my first pick for those which already lean towards a somewhat dark and rich tonality. In my collection, that would be an older version of Audeze’s LCD-2 as well as the AudioQuest Nighthawk. These end up being a bit too much of a good thing... " 
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 14, 2020 18:33:12 GMT 12
Since 2018, a popular high-value, 'affordable' headphone amplifier has been the Drop + THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier - US$299. " It’s designed for objectivists who appreciate an incredibly clean, transparent amp—the sought-after “wire with gain” whose amplification is wholly uncolored by a sound of its own. " “ The world’s most linear amplifier...” (Tube amplification-lovers need not apply? Not necessarily, as sonic matching with your headphones is always the key.) Key features: - Ultra low distortion. - 3 x front-panel selectable Gain settings. - Balanced or Single-ended inputs & outputs. - Balanced output power 0.4Wpc @ 600 ohms to 6Wpc at 16 ohms. - Single-ended output power 0.1Wpc @ 600 ohms to 3Wpc @ 16 ohms.  (DAC shown not included)  John Grandberg at DARKO recently reviewed the Drop + THX AAA™ 789 Linear Amplifier: " I’ve never heard an affordable amplifier do speed and accuracy as well as the 789. " " The overall presentation leans toward the intimate with exceptional imaging tied to a rather small soundstage; width – and particularly depth – are limited in reach. " " Listeners chasing enhanced bass impact, a creamy midrange or some other fun coloration might find the 789 somewhat arresting but those seeking the limits of brutal honesty will be handsomely rewarded. "
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 14, 2020 18:55:35 GMT 12
Currently on pre-order at 'Drop' & scheduled to ship on 30 Oct 2020, is a new version of the above Drop + THX AAA Linear Amplifier.... The Drop + THX AAA™ ONE Linear Amplifier - for US$199 (target price). " a leaner version of our beloved 789 amplifier.... three gain stages, and a new preamp output,... all the essentials, and nothing extra. " Key features: - Ultra low distortion. - 3 x front-panel selectable Gain settings. - Single-ended input & output only. - Output power 0.14Wpc @ 600 ohms to 1.5Wpc at 16 ohms. - Preamp output 9V / 0.14W @ 600 ohms. This unit is designed as a 'desktop headphone amp' - that can drive headphones or powered speakers & easily front-panel switchable between the two.  
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Post by Citroen on Aug 14, 2020 19:15:37 GMT 12
Little Dot MK II
I have an early version, and it just does things with my AKG 702's that I've rarely heard elsewhere.
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Post by michaelw on Aug 15, 2020 13:57:13 GMT 12
Why is a budget conscious manufacturer paying for usually useless THX certification ?
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 15, 2020 14:16:06 GMT 12
These are actually I think, a THX Ltd collaboration - with the Drop company. Same as the other Drop partnerships, eg with Sennheiser, Shure, Beyer Dynamic...
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 23, 2020 11:57:27 GMT 12
Steve Guttenberg AUDIOPHILIAC reviews the SCHIIT Magnius (US$199) balanced headphone amp: With the Sennheiser HD650/6XX... "... a really good match... a little more forward, a little clearer sounding than usual. "
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 23, 2020 12:06:29 GMT 12
And Steve's Oct 2019 review of the SCHIIT Asgard 3 (a 'modular' headphone amp-preamp with optional AKM or Multi-bit DAC modules): This iteration reduced the price to US$199, this sounds like the one to consider buying, sound quality-wise. Unless you need the balanced inputs or outputs (in the Magnius).
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 29, 2020 16:46:31 GMT 12
HEADPHONICS provides a reasonably thorough review of the SCHIIT Magnius headphone amplifier: " Despite being neutral, the Magnius manages to have a dynamic low end, texturized midrange, and a smooth and detailed treble. " 
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Post by Owen Y on Nov 28, 2020 10:37:51 GMT 12
I see that the DROP + THX AAA™ 789 LINEAR AMPLIFIER has been reduced to US$250 for 'Black Friday week'. That might tempt some, with USD exchange rate up at $0.68 = 1NZD  " It’s designed for objectivists who appreciate an incredibly clean, transparent amp—the sought-after “wire with gain” whose amplification is wholly uncolored by a sound of its own. " 
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