[Gabbbbbbbbbbbb]

Hello!

I'm looking for a budget portable headphone amp to drive my HD600s sufficiently well. Something at or below the $100 range, I don't need perfection, just enough power to properly deal with the 500ohm impedance peak these have in the mid bass at normal listening volumes.

I've been thinking about either getting a used Fiio A5, or biting the bullet and having a shot at building an O2 & using it battery powered. Is there something else worth considering? Perhaps something that can be powered by power bank?

 

[Stevko]

Schiit Magni 3 +

 

[Gabbbbbbbbbbbb]

Schiit Magni 3 +

How can I power that from a battery?

 

[Stevko]

Sorry. Portable... what about a used Creative E5

 

[gimmeheadroom]

No portable amp for 100 dollars is going to be ok with HD 600s. Not sure there is even something at any price.

 

[earmonger]

I've been reading about Venture Electronics' new $50 Megatron, which would probably require an external battery as well. Don't know if it suits your needs.

https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=63

https://andyaudiovault.com/ve-megatron/

This review tested it with 470 ohm ATH-R70X.
https://twister6.com/2022/05/05/venture-electronics-ve-megatron/

 

[Ufanco]

With a $100 budget I would also be looking in the classified ads. There are usually great deals and feel you end up with a better sounding device compared to buying new.

 

[Gabbbbbbbbbbbb]

With a $100 budget I would also be looking in the classified ads. There are usually great deals and feel you end up with a better sounding device compared to buying new.

I'm based in the EU, so the classifieds are not very useful for me.

 

[earmonger]

I'm based in the EU, so the classifieds are not very useful for me.

Actually a lot of the Classified sellers are in Europe, so it's worth a look.

 

[voja]

Hello!

I'm looking for a budget portable headphone amp to drive my HD600s sufficiently well. Something at or below the $100 range, I don't need perfection, just enough power to properly deal with the 500ohm impedance peak these have in the mid bass at normal listening volumes.

I've been thinking about either getting a used Fiio A5, or biting the bullet and having a shot at building an O2 & using it battery powered. Is there something else worth considering? Perhaps something that can be powered by power bank?

As @earmonger already said, Megatron from Venture Electronics is worth looking into.

I guess another option you could look into is E1DA (company).

Edit: Since you are searching for such a low-budget amp, you will really have to dig for the underground companies that make low-budget-high-performance products.

 

[megabigeye]

Hello!

I'm looking for a budget portable headphone amp to drive my HD600s sufficiently well. Something at or below the $100 range, I don't need perfection, just enough power to properly deal with the 500ohm impedance peak these have in the mid bass at normal listening volumes.

I've been thinking about either getting a used Fiio A5, or biting the bullet and having a shot at building an O2 & using it battery powered. Is there something else worth considering? Perhaps something that can be powered by power bank?

Something like a FiiO E12, E12A, or A5 would work perfectly. Even a CMoy should be sufficient. I've happily used the E12A— which is the older, less powerful A5— and a JDS CMoyBB with my HD 650 (same impedance, somewhat more sensitive than HD 600).
If you decide to buy a used portable amp, make sure the battery is either in good condition or that it can be replaced with relative ease.

 

[buke9]

Get a 2.5mm balanced cable and a Radsone EarStudio ES100 MK2. It runs my 6XX’s without a problem and has a really nice app with 10 band EQ and ambient sound control for mobile use and takes calls. Really small as well with a good 12 hours of play time single ended haven’t used balanced all day so not for sure.