suggestions for a headphone amplifier

There have been several threads on this question in the not too distant past. I started one in February that provided some good suggestions. (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1108700500&read&keyw&zzheadphone=amp).

BTW, out of the past discussion, I purchased a Musical Fidelity X-Can V3, which, I believe, has a Stereophile A rating. I liked it over the SS Headphone amps that I auditioned (e.g., Grado). It's a SET amp and uses 6922 tubes. I've swaped tubes and now I'm using Siemens CCa, which provides remarkable detail and clarity. I've also used Mullard tubes, which created a lush and rich sound, but these tubes are in my hybrid integrated and will stay there awhile. The MF X-Can V3 is also reasonably priced. At the time I posted the thread, I was using Senn 600, but I've upgrade to 650s.

John

The new MF model is nice for the few minutes I tried it, but I'm not a headphone guy. As with eerything else, audition it first, or pay fair market value if you're buying used.

How big of a sonic improvement are the Sennheiser 650's over the 600's?
In what all ways, sonically, are the 650's superior?
Thanks.

The Senns seem to like a good tube amp based on what I've read. I would shoot for the ASL tube amp. Try that for a while. If you have more to spend, but some Walker SST, first, paint all of your connections, then listen. If you still require greater fidelity (or maybe you have a greater budget at the onset than what the ASL tube amp would cost) then buy something better.

I own a set of Sennheiser HD-650 and a HeadRoom MaxedOut Home. Truly a great combination. I tried the Musical Fidelity X-Can V-3, good with Grado´s sets. The HD-650 does need more power do drive them.

Regards,