A home for my cans


Hi Goners,

Have spent last year researching headphones,whether they should be balanced or single ended,proper power cables and interconnects and lastly tubes vs. ss!

Phew...Can you guys and gals save me some time and point me towards a good preamp/headphone amp combo from the same source?
My headphones include Senns, Grados, Model 8's etc. and this is to be a bedroom system.
Have heard of Todd the vinyl junkie, Woo and Ray Samuels but would appreciate some guidance...

Thanks to all,

Jake
128x128azjake
Jax2,,

How about units that play BOTH hp and lp headphones?

Same problem of trying to do too much or is it the topography of the unit that makes it possible for both to shine?

Thanks,
Jake
How about units that play BOTH hp and lp headphones?

Sorry, don't know what you mean..what are hp and lp headphones? Are you talking about amps with variable gain, or two jacks with different gain?
Have been happy with the Benchmark DAC1 USB. Upgraded to a Benchmark HDR which is connected via balanced cable to my McIntosh MC-275 amplifier. Truly a fine unit and sounds terrific with my Denon AH-D7000 headphones as well.
Benchmark headphone amp is good quality - it will drive some difficult load studio type headphones really well. My old Studio AKG 240's really sing with H1 amp (originals bought the year after they came out). These headphones do not really like typical cheap hi-fi headphone amps like you get with hi-end consumer gear.