Headphone Amp Required

[TBBZ8X8]

Ok so I have a pair of HD6XX's and I need an amp to go along with them. I have my heart set on a tube amp and have narrowed my choices down to either the Darkvoice 366se or the Schiit Valhalla 2.  I have no idea which to buy. I am told the Valhalla 2 sounds more solid staty but is a better pairing for the HD6XX. Looking for any helpful opinions on the issue.

[Spuriae]

What are you trying to improve about the HD6XX's sound?

[3 Minute Reviewer]

12 minutes ago, TBBZ8X8 said:

Ok so I have a pair of HD6XX's and I need an amp to go along with them. I have my heart set on a tube amp and have narrowed my choices down to either the Darkvoice 366se or the Schiit Valhalla 2.  I have no idea which to buy. I am told the Valhalla 2 sounds more solid staty but is a better pairing for the HD6XX. Looking for any helpful opinions on the issue.

From what I have heard, the Darkvoice is a little muddy and you lose some detail while the Valhalla 2 gives the tubey sound without losing the detail. I haven't personally listened to either but I have contemplated the same exact decision and I am planning to purchase the Valhalla 2 when my HD6xx's arrive in December

[TBBZ8X8]

18 minutes ago, kmathieu2220 said:

From what I have heard, the Darkvoice is a little muddy and you lose some detail while the Valhalla 2 gives the tubey sound without losing the detail. I haven't personally listened to either but I have contemplated the same exact decision and I am planning to purchase the Valhalla 2 when my HD6xx's arrive in December

bought the HD6XX's on massdrop in june too?

[TBBZ8X8]

3 hours ago, Nimrodor said:

What are you trying to improve about the HD6XX's sound?

Well I need an amp regardless but I am generally just trying to improve them. I've heard they are lacking a bit of brightness and I've heard the Valhalla 2 can add it back as well as giving it a bit of a tubey sound which sounds like something I would enjoy.

[Spuriae]

2 hours ago, TBBZ8X8 said:

Well I need an amp regardless but I am generally just trying to improve them. I've heard they are lacking a bit of brightness and I've heard the Valhalla 2 can add it back as well as giving it a bit of a tubey sound which sounds like something I would enjoy.

Would suggest just listening to them for a couple days out off onboard audio or a phone and figuring out where you want to go from there. There's a lot more than basic frequency response to how a headphone sounds. If you want it to be more neutral then performing something like the KISS mod makes a lot of sense; it brings the HD650 close to neutral while improving most other technicalities along the way. From there you'll also have a wider range of amps to pick from with good synergy.

[xtroria]

Bottlehead crack is what you go for if you want proper tube for HD600

[GamerDude]

36 minutes ago, xtroria said:

Bottlehead crack is what you go for if you want proper tube for HD600

Would SS DAC stack/combo jell well with the HD6xx? I just snagged myself one from a local seller and I have only SS DAC's/amps. I plan to fire it up against my other cans to compare and I'll be using my Oppo HA1.....

[seduce_me]

Bottlehead Crack / Vali 2 / Magni 3, take your pick

 

Bottlehead crack is a fun dynamic amp. Make sure to get speedball along with it. Since it's at a promotion now, I'd recommend getting it over any of the options I have mentioned above. 

Valhalla 2 is the only non-warmfag tube amp at this price point but its technicalities aren't that great. Get a Vali 2 for a transparent tube hybrid instead.

Magni 3 is an improvement over Magni 2. It can power all your headphones.