ISO: Tube headphone amp for Planar headphones


Hello everyone. I recently purchased set of Audeze MM-100 headphones. 

https://www.audeze.com/products/mm-100

At 18 ohms and  98 dB/1mW sensitivity they shouldn't be difficult to drive. I'm currently driving them with a beyerdynamic A20 Headphone Amplifier that I was using with a pair of beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 cans. 

While the new headphones sound okay with the A20, I can't help but feel that the current amp isn't driving the MM-100s to their potential. Granted, the MM-100 are analytical as they're meant to be studio monitors but I'm thinking that perhaps a decent tube amp would warm them up a bit.

So I'm looking for a tube headphone amplifier that will work well with the planars.

Budget is $800-1100. Thanks in advance!

Happy listening.

 
 
128x128musicfan2349

 I've owned both the HA-1A & the CS-55A integrated amplifier..Both were SUPERBLY built & in 5 total years of ownership never a single problem or hiccup..
 Bloom Audio carries the HA-1A & offers LIFETIME support,including assistance with Warranty Support should a problem ever arise...
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwiP6vGJsOaJAxVpMdQBHaLlOx0YABASGgJvYQ&ae=2&co=1&ase=5&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Ou5BhCrARIsAPoTxrC2L7ap_Z5p_STsrwAJ45J5tOLnZlikyc174vRAzXWhVacvjQe2Hw0aAoZJEALw_wcB&sig=AOD64_1jicn1DEJwizhLKkx4BwBh4desIw&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiHr-eJsOaJAxWR48kDHR2sIyoQ9aACKAB6BAgHEBk&adurl=

I'd recommend the Quicksilver Headphone amp, and it should fit nicely in your budget.... Excellent out of the box and even better with some judicious tube rolling.

https://quicksilveraudio.com/products/headphone-amplifier/

@freediver Thanks for the info on the Cayin. I finally found an image showing the internals and was impressed with how it looks.

https://cf.shopee.co.th/file/40719695d2fd237fd6c597227d88277f

And it is pretty outside as well. smiley

The other candidate is the Quicksilver HPA suggested by @larsman. What I like about it is it's simplicity and rugged build. And it's JUST a HPA; No extra electronics to drive speakers that I won't use. It's not as pretty as the Cayin but it gets rave reviews and it's built just down the road in Stockton CA. It is however almost $300 more... I've pinged Quicksilver to see if there's a dealer in the Seattle area. 

Decisions decisions...

Happy listening.