Tubed Headphone Amp--$100 to $200

cstpeter

Hoping I can get some suggestions regarding a tubed headphone amp in the $100-$200 range. Would like to go used/closeout/discount, if possible.

Any thoughts on this Bada PH-1?

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1177445706

I'll be using Grado SR-80 and a generic Toshiba CD player. This is just for casual rock/jazz listening.

Thanks!

AndyGwis

That looks bada-****! It's the last day of his Agon post, so maybe he will be flexible on price.

Wonder if they sell this for cheaper anywhere else. . .

Disclaimer: I have no experience with this or any other headphone amp.

dorokusai

I'd suggest a Musical Fidelity XCan v1 or v2 from the used market over that particular manufacturer.

Shizelbs

I'll second Doro's recommendations. Also, if you head over to head-fi.org, and look in the used amp section for sale, you can find the Corda Head Five, which is the amp that Meier Audio made to commemorate the 5th anniversary of that website. I've not heard that particular amp, and its not tubed, but Meier is makes my favorite headphone amps.

Also, you can get a Little Dot 2 amp at the lower end of your budget. It sounds outstanding, looks great, but quality control can be an issue. A good number of the amps die around 100-200 hours of use.

dorokusai

I really want to try a Meier Audio amp....definetly on the short list.

Ricardo

I don't know about headphone amps, but BADA makes great tubed CD players.

Shizelbs

dorokusai wrote:

I really want to try a Meier Audio amp....definetly on the short list.

I think it was the HA-2 mkII that I am most familiar with. Also on my short list. It just sounded great, top to bottom.

sucks2beme

I picked up a used ASL mg head for $220. Good unit. I have used the original
Little dot headphone amp. Not so good. Noisey, microphonic, odd tubes.
The Little dot II+ is available with more common tubes. Better,but not great.
See if you can locate a Head fi meet scheduled in driving distance.
You get to experience a lot of cans with a lot of amps.
The Bada is not bad at that price. You might be better off to save a few bucks and step up to the better headphones. Grado 225's would get you better bass than the 80's. The 225's are the best Grado value for the
money now HF-1's are in short supply.

mazersteven

Here is a good tube amp

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=232619

Shizelbs

mazersteven wrote:

Here is a good tube amp

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=232619

Thats the amp I suggested. I went ahead and asked the seller what I think to be a necessary question. If its got enough (>150 hours) use on it, I say go for it.

mazersteven

Shizelbs wrote:

Thats the amp I suggested. I went ahead and asked the seller what I think to be a necessary question. If its got enough (>150 hours) use on it, I say go for it.

Well look who it is. My Polk friend. LOL What's Up.

Shizelbs

mazersteven wrote:

Here is a good tube amp

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=232619

Why?

Are you just another Little Dot FanBoy?

mazersteven

Shizelbs wrote:

Why?

Are you just another Little Dot FanBoy?

Touch