# Headphone amp recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** I need advice!\ **Created:** [May 2, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685 "2018-05-02T16:55:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 32
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/621 "2021-08-04T03:00:42Z")
Understood. I wasn’t misled. I also didn’t mean to imply that your DAC’s SE performance is gimped. ---
**Author:** ![hifiDJ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/hifidj/32/53299_2.png) [@hifiDJ](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hifiDJ)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:01am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/622 "2021-08-04T03:01:41Z")
All good, I didn’t take it that way either. Should have been a teeny bit clearer! Oh, and @BuffaloWing thanks for that. I’ll keep that in mind and ask if something comes up! ---
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:02am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/623 "2021-08-04T03:02:26Z")
Cool and all good 👍🏼! ---
**Author:** ![Roark](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/roark/32/9724_2.png) [@Roark](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Roark)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/624 "2021-08-04T03:07:25Z")
What headphones are you using, or plan on using? Is your Burson still in play, or would this be a complement to it? ---
**Author:** ![ProfFalkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/proffalkin/32/1399_2.png) [@ProfFalkin](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ProfFalkin)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/625 "2021-08-04T03:07:46Z")
> [@hottyson](#): > > My Headamp amplifier sound amazing as if powered from the gods. And which one is that? ---
**Author:** ![hottyson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/hottyson/32/25048_2.png) [@hottyson](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hottyson)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:10am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/626 "2021-08-04T03:10:29Z")
I own two Headamp amplifiers. Here is a picture of them on my desk. ![headamp](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/1/1/110d35bedbf5765f2e096e549f75aafa468bffac.jpeg) They are amazing. I read thousands of posts on Headamp and have not read of any problems with them. This is why I purchased two of them. I read the hype and the praise and bought them. Headamp is a quality brand. ---
**Author:** ![hifiDJ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/hifidj/32/53299_2.png) [@hifiDJ](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hifiDJ)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:18am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/627 "2021-08-04T03:18:22Z")
I’m still pretty content with my Burson but I eventually want something that is an upgrade down the road SS-wise to be fed by a Spring 3. Tubes will come eventually… As for headphones, I mostly have ZMF/Focal. I do want a Utopia eventually or maybe a Rosson. But no hard plans yet. Mind will be kept open. ---
**Author:** ![dncnexus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/dncnexus/32/14934_2.png) [@dncnexus](https://forum.headphones.com/u/dncnexus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:22am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/628 "2021-08-04T03:22:53Z")
Tbh I would just stick with Burson and go tubes. If you rock ZMF/Focal you are doing those headphones a disservice imo keeping them on SS and not going tubes. ---
**Author:** ![ProfFalkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/proffalkin/32/1399_2.png) [@ProfFalkin](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ProfFalkin)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:28am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/629 "2021-08-04T03:28:50Z")
I’m glad you like them. From my experiences, I know the OG Gilmore lite sounds quite different from the GSX and GSX mini. Enough so that I am surprised you would blindly recommend them. I stand by my original statement. ---
**Author:** ![bigshel99](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bigshel99/32/5807_2.png) [@bigshel99](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bigshel99)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:33am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/630 "2021-08-04T03:33:17Z")
yeah, I’m not sure what Burson he has so not sure what an upgrade would be. I wonder if “upgrade” really may mean “more of the sound signature I like” in this case. But maybe a hybrid tube amp or throwing a tube preamp in the chain with the Burson? ---
**Author:** ![Roark](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/roark/32/9724_2.png) [@Roark](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Roark)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 3:41am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/631 "2021-08-04T03:41:35Z")
If I may suggest a tube amp that would fit into your budget quite well? DNA Starlett, plenty of power to drive your dynamic ZMF/Focal cans, give the Starlett review by @perogie a read. Worth your time, in my most humble of opinions. $2k sound of the gods, nectar of the, well you can use your imagination… > [@DNA Starlett - An Attempted Review](https://forum.headphones.com/t/dna-starlett-an-attempted-review/6928): > > This is my amp. It’s blue and silver and has some glass tubes, some that are older than me. They stick out of the top along with some other stuff. There is also stuff inside it, like wires and such. It runs off of electricity and allows my headphone to make noise. OK, the purpose of that nonsense was to point out that I am not a professional or even accomplished reviewer. In fact, this will be the first review of potential consequence that I have posted anywhere, so here we go… Th… ---
**Author:** ![hottyson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/hottyson/32/25048_2.png) [@hottyson](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hottyson)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 4:06am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/632 "2021-08-04T04:06:43Z")
> [@ProfFalkin](#): > > I know the OG Gilmore lite sounds quite different from the GSX and GSX mini. Enough so that I am surprised you would blindly recommend them. From the initial Headamp GS-X Mini product page: It is a balanced solid state headphone amplifier based on the class A “Dynalo” circuit designed by Kevin Gilmore ( **[read more](http://www.pavouk.org/hw/dynalo/en_index.html)** ) which is one of the best headphone amp circuits ever designed, the same basic circuit used in HeadAmp’s flagship GS-X Mk2 and also the Gilmore Lite Mk2. Wanting a Dynalo based amp, I read many anecdotal storied on Head-fi that Gilmore Lite Mk2 sounded the same as the single ended output on the GS-X Mini and I don’t have the money for the GS-X Mini yet. So I actually bought the Gilmore Lite Mk2 because so many said that it was basically the single ended output of the GS-X Mini. So you can try to discredit my statements by lying about my assumptions and also by making up statements about amplifiers. But, I know and love these amplifiers inside and out. So I don’t know how you say that I blindly recommend Headamp. I have experience with the Headamp Gilmore Lite and the Headamp Gilmore Lite Mk2. I highly recommend the brand Headamp based on the Dynalo circuit due to my vast experience with them. Since I have so much experience with these two amps, I want to purchase the Headamp GS-X Mini. And for those out there looking for an amp and would like to follow my journey, they may also wish to purchase a Dynalo amp built by Headamp because they sound awesome and have been making amplifiers since 2002 with a spotless record. ---
**Author:** ![hifiDJ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/hifidj/32/53299_2.png) [@hifiDJ](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hifiDJ)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 4:11am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/633 "2021-08-04T04:11:46Z")
It’s a Soloist 3X. > [@Roark](#): > > DNA Starlett, plenty of power to drive your dynamic ZMF/Focal cans, give the Starlett review by @perogie a read. Worth your time, in my most humble of opinions. Cool, I will take that into consideration as well. Thank you! Coincidentally, the Starlett is my top consideration for tube amps anyway. But, I don’t dig that blue…sorry @perogie! Maybe if it were navy blue I’d dig that more. Anyway, thanks to everybody as well for the suggestions/input! ---
**Author:** ![dncnexus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/dncnexus/32/14934_2.png) [@dncnexus](https://forum.headphones.com/u/dncnexus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 4:14am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/634 "2021-08-04T04:14:09Z")
Yeah if you have the 3X, I would 100% recommend going tubes (Roark recommended the DNA Starlett, I second this recommendation). To get any sort of actual improvement outside of just a different flavor from your 3X in terms of SS, I personally think you would have to pay multiples more than you did for the 3X. ---
**Author:** ![Polygonhell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/977dab/32.png) [@Polygonhell](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Polygonhell)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 4:55am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/635 "2021-08-04T04:55:20Z")
I love my Cavali liquid gold, I’d take it over anything on that list, but you have to get lucky enough to see one when they are for sale. Pass labs HPA-1, but not balanced. After that I’m on tube amps in that range, unless I’m trying to power a Susvara or similar in which case I’m probably looking at used integrated amps. ---
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 5:32am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/636 "2021-08-04T05:32:45Z")
> [@hottyson](#): > > as if powered from the gods. > [@hottyson](#): > > I read thousands of posts on Headamp and have not read of any problems with them. > [@hottyson](#): > > making amplifiers since 2002 with a spotless record. One’s credibility is at risk of being compromised when using hyperbole and making claims that are prone to be refuted. That said, the GS-X Mini is on my “want to hear” list. ---
**Author:** ![hottyson](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/hottyson/32/25048_2.png) [@hottyson](https://forum.headphones.com/u/hottyson)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 5:40am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/637 "2021-08-04T05:40:42Z")
Okay, maybe not powered from all of the gods, but perhaps like twenty of the gods. Perhaps you are right, Headamp building and selling amps for twenty years is was based on luck not quality. Perhaps you are right. There must be tons of posts saying that Headamp makes poor quality component that fail all of the time. I just didn’t look for them. ---
**Author:** ![bpcarb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bpcarb/32/16496_2.png) [@bpcarb](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bpcarb)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 5:45am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/638 "2021-08-04T05:45:14Z")
Let’s try to stick to audio, and not venture into attempts at logical reasoning and constructing arguments. ---
**Author:** ![BoardmanGetsPaid](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/boardmangetspaid/32/11769_2.png) [@BoardmanGetsPaid](https://forum.headphones.com/u/BoardmanGetsPaid)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 10:25am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/639 "2021-08-04T10:25:58Z")
It’s a great piece of kit with great synergy with ZMF and focal headphones but honestly 2-4k range are awash with amps so it will be very difficult to pick the right one for you without first understanding your sound preference and what you are trying to improve from your current setup. ---
**Author:** ![Nuance](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/nuance/32/14729_2.png) [@Nuance](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Nuance)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 1:33pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685/640 "2021-08-04T13:33:38Z")
> [@dncnexus](#): > > Yeah if you have the 3X, I would 100% recommend going tubes (Roark recommended the DNA Starlett, I second this recommendation). To get any sort of actual improvement outside of just a different flavor from your 3X in terms of SS, I personally think you would have to pay multiples more than you did for the 3X Agreed. @hifiDJ If you don’t want to go down the tube amp rabbit hole, I’d instead recommend just purchasing another set of headphones, as that will impact the sound more than anything. [Previous page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685.md?page=31) [Next page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/headphone-amp-recommendations/685.md?page=33)