You can get plenty of power from cheap tube amps (e.g., Bravo Audio V2) in the $50 to $75 range (and optionally add a $33 XtremePro). However, cheap tube amps tend to distort and the details/imaging are relatively cloudy versus more expensive products.
Some of the new Bluetooth devices that are coming out are good enough now that with a half-decent pair of IEMs it might be all you need. There was one I reviewed, the Bluewave Get, and another on Head-Fi that probably uses the same OEM chipset which had some good comments as well.
Iām not sure about <$200 yet, but some Bluetooth headphones not far above that are getting good enough to be all you need, if you have a smart phone or computer with APTx.
HD580 used, $100-$120 and a FX Audio DacX6, $65 (I think)
Iām actually really curious about the Campfire Comet at $199. Seems like a well priced way of trying their line-up.
Dragonfly Black is a pretty good portable amp/dac. I remember when I used to have the O2/Modi 2 combo and I honestly couldnāt tell the difference between that and DFB.
My suggestion is to get a SR225e ($200) and mod it: dynamat in the cups, sorbothane on the back of the driver, change the ear pads to G-pads and if you want a bit more bass open up one additional vent. SR225e is easy to drive and doesnāt require an amp/DAC.
G-Pads? What is them things? Canāt Googlize it.
For a closed setup, the Beyerdynamic DT150. Similar to the HD650 with a little more treble sparkle and without the added warmth, which gives it the most natural sound signature of any <$600 can Iāve heard. Also the only Beyer Iāve heard without the infamous sibilance up top.
They can be found for $100-150 used pretty easily as theyāre popular in broadcast settings. Arenāt super amp/dac picky either, so anything that can power them should be fine.
When dealing with Grado headphones there are 3 different pads used depending on the model
SR60e, SR80e, SR125e use S-pads or flats
SR225e, SR325e, RS2e, RS1e, GH-1, GH-2, PS500e use L-pads or some call them bowls (its what they look like)
PS1000e, GS1000e, PS2000e, GS2000e use G-pads or some call them donuts since its what they look like)
Hereās a picture of the 3 types (note that these are all generic ones, Grado L and G pads are made of different layers of foam while most generic ones use only one type of foam)
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I nodded my SR60ās with Sennheiser replacement pads. It made them more comfortable for long sessions.
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Always on the lookout for inexpensive (not cheap) audio enhancements, I found this on Amazon:
Syba SD-DAC63094 USB 2.0 24 bit 96KHz DAC and Headphone Amplifier
Inexpensive or just cheap?
I have its more expensive cousin at $48 (got it for around $35), and liked it for quite a while. Itās a very serviceable standalone unit if you want to just bypass onboard audio. The mic input and bass boost are especially good for gaming.
But once I added a dedicated amp (the Massdrop CTH), it didnāt sound that great using the L-R out in the back. My phone -> MCTH sounded better and much cleaner. You wonāt get super amazing sound out of this, but itās still a very good unit for its price. I donāt have mine plugged in right now but thatās because I donāt play any games where I have to talk to someone.
I have no experience with that item, but can personally vouch for this $33 USB DAC/AMP:
https://www.xtrem-pro.com/product-page/xtrempro-x1-usb-dac-headphone-amplifier
I believe it has the same ESS Sabre chip as the original (discontinued) Dragonfly. This is a clear improvement over my notebook, phone, and iPod Touch onboard output. However, the top end is subdued and the low end is boosted.
-John
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I have to say Iām with @DavidA Iāve got an SR 225 that has some lite mods and itās pretty stellar! Just straight from a cell phone is all that I need for it
Though I think my ultimate Under $200 set up would feature a Behringer UCA 202 $30 one of those little Chinnese Hybrid Tube Designs for no more than $70 [or a Gen 1 Schiit Vali if u can find it still OR a Starving Student Hybrid if you can Build it] and either a Grado SR 80 or something like a Second Hand AKG K702 or DT 990 both of which are often right around $100 used
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I could easily do a k612 and pixel dongle as a poor man setup.
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Iāll second the notion that if you donāt need an external DAC, donāt get it. I used to have a Dragonfly Black and I donāt think it sounds any better than an iPhoneās built-in output unless you happen to need a little extra power.
I like this way of thinking! I feel almost dirty for suggesting it, but for a fun kind of sound signature, some cheap Chi-Fi like a KZ ZST can be very satisfying. Is it going to āintimidateā $500 headphones or earphones? Probably not, but if the goal is cheap and poor, who cares?
On a related note, I get the impression that itās significantly easier to make cheap, good sounding IEMs than it is to do the same with full-size headphones. I would guess that managing resonances is easier at that scale and without the outer ear to contend with, but Iām squarely in guessing territory here.
Ditto. The fewer components in your chain, the better.
The Vali 1 + Senn 600 is astounding. This pairing sounds like youāre in the club, walking through the patrons and are physically able to touch everyone and sense everything. It sounds like youāre right in front of the artist and can sense and hear everything as if they physically exist. I donāt know how else to describe it. Itās so palpable and physical sounding. If music was a painting, youāre IN the painting.
I originally sold my Vali 1 to fund a Vali 2 and ended up regretting the sale. I wound up finding another Vali 1 on the market and snagged it.
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Koss Porta pros or ksc75.
Airpod pros offer solid sound for what they are, and very convenient imo.
