Can I use the hd 560s with the smsl sp100?
I was poised to say “of course” but my word that little amp puts out so little power.
We’re talking maybe around 50mW at 120Ω.
I have a little SMSL SAP-1 in my bathroom (yup!) and I’m satisfied with it on my 58x. That’s delivering 88mW, it cost nothing.
I’d aim a bit higher unless you already own it.
Thx for your reply, I’m new to audio and I dont really know what to get. My budget is 100 dollars preferebly less. Do you recommend any amps? (I can also buy used)
Do you already own those headphones?
Are you looking for a tube to be involved?
Where is the signal coming from, are there any other headphones current/future involved, and do you currently need/future want to be able to hook any speakers downline from this amp?
Im currently running a samson sr850, but I think I wanna upgrade to the hd 560s. Ive watched Z’s video of the hd 560s and he highly recommends running them with tubes. Im not really interested since speakers. the signal wil probably be coming from an apple dongle till I upgrade to a better dac in the future. Im thinking of getting myself a planar and a closed back to, but not right now.
You could get a little tube hybrid in that price range, as you found with the SMSL you mentioned - that just is too underpowered, especially if you’re looking towards planars in future. I have a little Bravo Ocean at work, a massive amount of gain, a fun thing. It was a mere $55 at purchase from Drop (not currently going)
I would suggest playing with something like that to get your tube craving. A Solid State amp like Schiit Magni 3+ would be more conventional, plenty of headroom for future power needs. There’s a lot of SS amps in $100 range that will be nice. Monoprice Liquid Spark. The ifi Zen Dac is popular, would give you an all-in-one for near what an amp and dongle costs. I don’t think the power-upside is very strong though and you need to run balanced to extract the max from it.
Simply speaking, “tubes” in the realm that we’re discussing break two ways: a “hybrid” CAN be quite affordable, with sometimes a single tube offering effects on the preamplification, using solid state power amplification. An “OTL” tube amplifier will also incorporate tubes for the power stage, and will not be obtainable at this price point. The budget OTL tube amps will start around $200+, offer more obvious different from solid state — BUT, offer a lot of particularness. They work somewhat exclusively with higher impedance headphones, and would not be friendly with planar.
If you find some money in the couch cushions, perhaps a Schiit Vali 2+ might be calling your name.
Schiit Is really overpriced where I live. (the magni is 150) What tube hybrids are you talking about exactly?
How about an xDuoo MT-602, something like that?
Little Dot MK1+, The various Bravos.
Getting lots of planar-pushing power under $100 from tube hybrid will be kind of slim.