What headphone amp do you like and use?

[cynic]

I have a cheap monoprice unit and am looking to upgrade.  I don't need talk back or more than two outputs but would like two inputs and some level of EQ would be nice.  I need something to sufficiently drive headphones ranging from 42 to 300 ohms.  From what I gather I'll end up buying more than I need to get what I want but I'm okay with that up to a few hundred dollars.  I'm not an audiophile so anything over $300 likely won't be considered.

It will be used as a desktop unit but If I had to buy today I'd probably lean towards the Behringer HA6000, Mackie HM-400, or ART Headamp6Pro which are all rack mounts but seem to check most boxes.  Anyone with direct experience with either have any pros/cons?

[Jimbilly]

(since no one else has chimed in)

 Feel free to laugh, but I still use a Korg Toneworks PX1.  I use it mostly for bass now, I used it for guitar quite a bit long long ago.  I like a stereo effect with headphones.  It has a 1/4" input (as expected) and 1/8" aux input.  The distortion is just ok, but it is a headphone amp for practicing, and pretty handy, good mileage from 2 rechargeable AAs.   I think I bought it new about 25 years ago. I saw one fs at a pawn shop for $1.99 a few years ago, I should have bought it for a spare, - then my avg price would be down to about $85 per unit.  The output is not super high, it looks like my Sennheiser HD580s are 300ohm.  

[Disturber]

I am using one of these. Bought it from Hong Kong. The shipping went without trouble. It really sounds great. It is also a pre-amp so I run my Chromecast Audio throught it. Tidal hifi sounds great with that set up. I bought some NOS tubes for it for cheap. They sound better than the EHX that came with it.

https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/gpower-filter-socket-c-28/gtsinghua-t-2-6f-tube-6922-class-a-headphones-amplifier-p-304?zenid=dbbe1f61e92fa47f7d0ef8ecfa2c9730

 

 

[PaGator]

Presonus HP60

 

[cmatthes]

Bass:

 

Guitar:

 

[HamerCustomEr]

6 minutes ago, cmatthes said:

Bass:

 

Guitar:

 

Similar to the above THR5, I love my Yamaha THR10C (discontinued), but you can find it used.  It sounds very good, and it has an AUX input.

https://reverb.com/item/47031165-yamaha-thr10c-classic-combo-modeling-amp

Check out the cute tube glow simulator:

 

[cmatthes]

(Mine is the THR10)

[Travis]

I have the THR5 and it’s fantastic. It’s on a bookshelf in my office so I plug in over lunch when I’m done charting. Headphones and at low volumes, it’s perfect for what I need. 

I decided on it after I saw a video of Paul Gilbert playing one in the backstage warmup room. If it’s good enough for Pablo Gilberto then it’s good enough for me. 

[cynic]

I had and liked the THR10 years ago but it didn't quite scratch the itch in terms of small practice amp.  As small as the THR10 is, it was still more than I wanted on my desk.  I tried again with the Spark but that whole experience was pretty disappointing.  I've learned I prefer headphones and a computer interface for practice.

I appreciate all the input from everyone but in the end the problem more or less resolved itself.  I'd been using a Scarlett 2i2 interface with a monoprice 4-way headphone amp and the higher ohm cans weren't getting the push they needed.  Enter the IK Multimedia Axe I/O I order months ago as part of their anniversary sale.  Their stock finally arrived and I received my unit several days ago.  I got it hooked today and it's unexpectedly LOUD!  I could probably use it without an amp, but combined with the small one I already have it is more than enough to drive anything I want with headroom to spare.

More to follow on the Axe I/O, but at first glance its most impressive.