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zep483
656
Oct 3, 2018
I just got a Bravo Ocean from Massdrop. I like it a lot with the 6XX. Good price too.
Hauntify
1
Nov 20, 2018
zep483which dac do you use with it?
zep483
656
Nov 20, 2018
Hauntify
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I have an SMSL SU-8 dac... I also just got a different amp recently as well. A Loxjie P20 from Amazon. It is a balanced amp, and if you run the 6XX balanced its magical. I think its a tube pre, but I'm not really sure what it is. All I know is that it sounds damn good, and for 85 bucks it sounds as good as a 1200 dac/amp combo imho. I run the HE4XX on the Bravo Ocean still though.
Hauntify
1
Nov 20, 2018
zep483is there a certain reason why you prefer tube amps over solid state amps? I’m still extremely new to the whole audio scene and I’m trying to figure out a good starter setup for around $150-200
zep483
656
Nov 20, 2018
Hauntify
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The 6XX is known to be good with Tube Amps. In general, the HE4XX seems to be an exception to the rule that planners are mostly not good with tubes. I run my 58X on a solid state amp by Geshelli Labs, the Archel Pro. It's about $120. Its a tab bit bright, but not overly so... I think its perfect for the 58X when modded. People seem to like the magni/modi stack from schitt for under 200. I haven't actually heard it myself, but from what I read, it may be a bit thick/muddy on the low end, I know people swear by it though. Again, I opted for the Archel Pro instead. I actually find it more neutral to my ears. If I had $250 to spend I might get the EL Amp by JDS LABS, but its single ended and not balanced. I've been eyeing the THX AAA 789 amp from here, but its $350... I'll submit a picture of my unbalanced gear here (minus the ocean). I got rid of the sap 9 and replaced it with the bravo ocean (class A, tube-pre). Also, to answer your questions about tubes, at least for the 6XX, the tubes on the P20 seem to open the sound stage up immensely, increase the sparkle, add to the bass, and smooth out the headphone in general (when it is already pretty smooth to start with).
zep483
656
Nov 20, 2018
HauntifyI might consider a topping d30 dac and any of the amps I suggested for around 200ish (depending on tubes or not) . Or the d10 (which is cheaper), but I'd prefer the d30 due to the power supply (less chance of jitter and interferenc). A d30 and a loxjie p20/Bravo Ocean would be under 200 for sure and sound better than a schitt stack for 6xx. D30 I'd a solid dac, I use it on my main listening two channel setup. I might not recommend the Loxjie P20 with the d30; only because the reason you should get this amp is for balanced imho. While the Loxjie P20 can do single ended/rca; the d30 does not have a balanced connection; so you'd always be limited by that. The grace design dac, had a balanced version in the works for 150ish at one point, but I don't think its been released yet. That would most likely be your cheapest and best balanced option or go for a SU-8 or Topping D50 for balanced (both of which I think are around 200ish from Massdrop). Cheers.
zep483
656
Nov 21, 2018
HauntifyJust saw this: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/topping-dx3-pro It could be a good option as well, if you decide you want something more powerful later, you could upgrade the amp itself. I also have one of these as my main portable amp for 199 when it drops here: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/centrance-dacportable There's also the dacport HD, which is good for headphones as well, but I find it darker than the dacportable. Cheers!
zep483
656
Jan 10, 2019
zep483Update: THX AAA 789 is just as good if not better than the P20 for the 6xx... its also good with just about EVERYTHING. I don't like it with the 58x though, interestingly enough...
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