Wanted Anyone moving on a cheap headphone amp?

Wanted

mr neds

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May 6, 2008
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HiFi Trade?
  1. Yes
Hi all. Having just bought the Hifiman Devas from the classifieds ( cheers Graham!), I think maybe I need to try them with a headphone amp. Anyone getting rid? Something around the £50 mark
Cheers
Neds
 
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Freddyflybuttons

Freddyflybuttons
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Jan 19, 2020
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Steve Powell
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
I may be selling on my ifi Zen Air CAN, which I bought from Amazon in January - cost me £99, is obviously immaculate but I'd want a bit more than £50 I'm afraid.
Not sure what to say as I've not really thought about this, but I'm very close to buying a DAP so won't need the amp, but guess around £70 delivered.
If it's of possible interest let me know as you may push me into deciding what to do about a DAP!
 

Carrington

Well-Known Wammer
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Oct 10, 2018
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HiFi Trade?
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I've got an old QED headphone amp I don't need any more. No idea about price at this stage but if you are interested let me know and I'll have a think.
 

mr neds

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May 6, 2008
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Thanks for replies and offers, everyone. I think I’m mulling now ! Loosend, which model is the EA please? I’m tempted by the Salam, but don’t want to go in too low and have to buy another one 🤨
 

griffo104

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Sep 30, 2005
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Griffo
HiFi Trade?
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The Sabaj is an excellent little amp. If you want to do changes later then you can change the tubes round without spending too much money and I've found it gets even better if you swap the PSU for an Ifi Xpower, not that you need to do these changes.

I've had this amp when I first started on my headphone journey and it's powered, HD600, DT1990 Pro and my Elegias with ease. I've got several amps and it's still there and still doing a great job.
 

m7rso

Hath Wammed
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Aug 14, 2009
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Graham
HiFi Trade?
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i have the Sabaj, upgraded with Mullards and although the Devas are open backed, they actually arent a good match. They need more power Neds. However i havent tried it with a lpsu which I believe betters the sound, but again I feel that power is needed rather than tubey refinement.
 

mr neds

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May 6, 2008
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Too right Graham. With my Creek headphone out, I have to turn the volume waaaaaay up to get a decent level. The Beresford is actually ok, plus the level can be tweaked with the pot behind the volume knob. I’m watching a Pro Ject headbox 2, with upgraded power supply, which might be a good deal. Cheers 😉
 
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m7rso

Hath Wammed
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Graham
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Ok mate, i have many headphone amps, and I will recommend one I tried for the first time a few days ago with my Hifiman 400s, remember the set that sounded too much like the Devas. So I would expect the result for your headphones to be the same as mine….seen them for £60 preloved on the bay. Better than that its portable. Using it with my Samsung s10plus and it all has great synergy. This will bring your headphones to life….hopefully, as it does mine.
 

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JANDL100

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Dec 5, 2006
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Jerry
HiFi Trade?
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^ The FiiO E12 is even better imo.

If you are OK with mains powered I can also strongly recommend a SMSL sAp ii.

They are both powerful with excellent grip and control, which is what the Deva and Sundara need imo.

Both can sometimes be found for around £50 or less.
 

m7rso

Hath Wammed
Wammer Plus
Aug 14, 2009
1,979
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LIVERPOOL, U K.
AKA
Graham
HiFi Trade?
  1. No
^ The FiiO E12 is even better imo.

If you are OK with mains powered I can also strongly recommend a SMSL sAp ii.

They are both powerful with excellent grip and control, which is what the Deva and Sundara need imo.

Both can sometimes be found for around £50 or less.
Yes mate, I was super surprised at the grip that wee amp had with the 400S. It was then mediocre with a couple of other headphones.
 
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mr neds

Wammer
Wammer
May 6, 2008
1,630
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SE London, , Uk
HiFi Trade?
  1. Yes
Thanks boys. I don't need a portable, thanks. I need RCA inputs to run it from my pre out on the Creek. Jerry, I can't find that SMSL anywhere, probably because it's quite old now ?
 

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