List of best DIY Headphone Amplifiers

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jcx

Member
Joined 2003
project amps?
https://web.archive.org/web/20130115042613/http://headwize.com/?page_id=5
https://web.archive.org/web/20150315014729/http://headwize.com/?page_id=147
https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/list-of-diy-headphone-amplifiers.537398/

https://www.head-fi.org/f/forums/diy-do-it-yourself-discussions.6/ head-fi's diy forum is sad compared to our standards but there are some projects

https://www.head-case.org/forums/forum/16-do-it-yourself/ the obligatory spin out of disaffected head-fi old timers - current Kevin Gilmore projects

commercial kits:

Headphone Amplifiers - Sjöström Audio
AMB Laboratories

commercial finished amps?

https://www.head-fi.org/ but the links to the lists seem currently fubar
 
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T

thuanth43

Member
Joined 2016
For dynamic DIY headamps, there won't be anything that would touch the level of Beta22 and balanced Dynahi (Dynamite). The Sjostrom QRV-08 is also fantastic, reasonable cost, but quite low powered. I also really like the Millett Hybrid Maxx, good stuff, well documented and easy build.
 
bloozestringer

bloozestringer

Member
Joined 2005
I'm gonna follow this thread. I was away from HeadFi from about the time the MH Max came out till just recently. There is hardly anything in the DIY section regarding amps anymore. It used to be pretty busy back in the day, but I think the ban for group buys looks like it killed the diy section there..
 
xrk971

xrk971

Founder of XSA-Labs
Joined 2012
etsy.com/shop/XRKAudio
Paid Member
thuanth43 said:
For dynamic DIY headamps, there won't be anything that would touch the level of Beta22 and balanced Dynahi (Dynamite). The Sjostrom QRV-08 is also fantastic, reasonable cost, but quite low powered. I also really like the Millett Hybrid Maxx, good stuff, well documented and easy build.
Click to expand...

How does the Beta22 claim to be full Class A 18w into 8ohms while using such small local heatsinks and only 180mA bias? Furthermore, it says that heat output of the heatsinks increases as music power goes up. Sounds like Class A within first 180mA and Class B above that.

b22_assy.jpg
 
H

Hearinspace

Member
Joined 2008
Paid Member
Kitarist said:
Is there any schematic for it? :)
Click to expand...

It was done by Frank Cooter. It's been a few years since he built that amp and if there were ever schematics posted they might be found with some net sleuthing.

Here's another page with pics of another one of his, showing a display card with a few details.

And here's a link to a thread on this forum started by regal with a post of an early design from Frank followed by a design from Rod Coleman and following details that might interest you.
 
T

TypodCrow

Member
Joined 2017
Hey just bumping this - can anyone recommend a relatively small reference grade amp to build? It would be sweet if I could get a Class A.

I'm currently running an Objective 2. It's pretty sweet, but I could appreciate some more power to give my Alpha Prime's their slamming bass.
 
L

Luke

Member
Joined 2001
TypodCrow said:
Hey just bumping this - can anyone recommend a relatively small reference grade amp to build? It would be sweet if I could get a Class A.

I'm currently running an Objective 2. It's pretty sweet, but I could appreciate some more power to give my Alpha Prime's their slamming bass.
Click to expand...

I like this amp, Saphire 4, Saphire 3 is also very good.

Sapphire 4 headphone amplifier [Rev. 4.1m] - diyAudio

and also, cant decide if I prefer the Dynalo, another very good amp.

On my to do list is the Dynalo SS, (super symmetry) , its balanced so should handle tough loads.
 
suzyj

suzyj

Member
Joined 2006
suzyj.net
I've got a little 5W discrete amp over on the solid state forum that performs reasonably well with headphone type loads... Still a little work needed to get it to push an 8Ω load around cleanly though, but I'm working on that :)

Dunno what qualifies as good in the headphone amp world, but so far I've hit 1.7ppm (0.00017%) distortion (1KHz 10VRMS into 47Ω), 4.2nV/sqrtHz input referred noise, 20dB gain, DC-~1MHz frequency range, 80mA Iq from +/-18V supplies (works happily down to ~+/-12V). Reasonably clean square waves and good clipping behaviour. I'm hoping for single-digit-ppm THD at 10VRMS/10KHz, but am still working on building the gear needed to test that.

Oh, and jellybean parts make for a $12/channel BOM and a 77x36mm 2 layer PCB.

Design files are at http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/soli...eap-low-thd-10w-amp-tip41c-5.html#post5315574
 
A

adydula

Member
Joined 2010
I dont see any Bottlehead hedphone amps here?
They make the Crack, the Crack-a two and the Mainline.

I have the Crack with their speedball upgrade and am considering the mainline.

The crack, is OTL and with Beyer T1's its one of the nicest soundstage's I have heard with these high impedance cans. HIGHLY recommended.

Tom C, makes a DIY neurochrome HP1 that has the best staright line with gain measurements. You can buy a pcb or a complete semi-kit, u have to buy parts at Mouser etc..

Alex
 
T

TypodCrow

Member
Joined 2017
adydula said:
I dont see any Bottlehead hedphone amps here?
They make the Crack, the Crack-a two and the Mainline.

I have the Crack with their speedball upgrade and am considering the mainline.

The crack, is OTL and with Beyer T1's its one of the nicest soundstage's I have heard with these high impedance cans. HIGHLY recommended.

Tom C, makes a DIY neurochrome HP1 that has the best staright line with gain measurements. You can buy a pcb or a complete semi-kit, u have to buy parts at Mouser etc..

Alex
Click to expand...

From my research the Bottlehead Crack's aren't reference grade - might be my latest question was surrounding reference grade amps. I think I'm going to be sticking to The Wire.

For DIY amps in general, I agree the Bottlehead Crack seems like a good build especially with the Speedball upgrade. I see myself building it in the mid-to-distant future.
 
A

adydula

Member
Joined 2010
From the Thread title: List of best DIY Headphone Amplifiers

I think the BH Crack is one of the best OTL DIY kit/amps out there for HD800 + T1's etc.
Reference grade? Whats that? One with the best specs or ???.

I just ordered a BH Mainline (on sale this week)...as their top of the line head amp. They have simple circuits that are world re-known...

Time to heat up the iron again!
Alex
 
T

TypodCrow

Member
Joined 2017
adydula said:
From the Thread title: List of best DIY Headphone Amplifiers

I think the BH Crack is one of the best OTL DIY kit/amps out there for HD800 + T1's etc.
Reference grade? Whats that? One with the best specs or ???.

I just ordered a BH Mainline (on sale this week)...as their top of the line head amp. They have simple circuits that are world re-known...

Time to heat up the iron again!
Alex
Click to expand...

Agreed - I'm looking forward to building a Crack some time.

By reference grade, I mean with minimum (point-triple-zero) distortion & noise, and "perfect" (<+\- 0.1dB) freq response. Something that is amplifying the input signal without adding/subtracting any color, soundstage, etc. Imagine something you'd want to use in a studio, but DIY, and cheap, and not used in a studio :cool:
 
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