DIY Headamp for Sennheiser-650?

[vhrynchuk]

What will be the better headphone amplifier for Sennheiser HD650, input imedance is 300 Ohm:
1. DIY SESS Tube Headphone Amplifier by Andrea Ciuffoli http://headwize.com/projects/showfil...ciuff4_prj.htm
or just
2. buy regular 2A3/45 tube based amp and add a a parllel high quality resistor 10 Ohm to the output.

Thank you.

[ak_47_boy]

If you use high quality parts DIY will sound better. Use Allen Bradly resistors, Solen or Blackgate or ELNA capactors, silver wire in cotton sleve. If you think you can pull off this one:
http://headwize.com/projects/showfil...ciuff2_prj.htm
i would go for it. Since you have beautiful headphones

[vhrynchuk]

Thanks a lot for the answer!!!

[Alain Dupont]

vhrynchuk,

http://www.tubecad.com/2006/10/blog0085.htm

http://www.tubecad.com/2006/09/blog0081.htm

2 really good examples...

Alain.

[vhrynchuk]

Ok, I have an additional question:
What are the sonic downside SESS amp will have comparing to the amp described in http://www.tubecad.com/2006/10/blog0085.htm ?
SESS amp has a much simpler schematic. I read that transformer-coupled amps usually sound better than OTL.

I understand that for a heaphone amp using three chokes in PSU is slightly too much.

[Alain Dupont]

vhrynchuk,

>>What are the sonic downside SESS amp will have comparing to the amp described
>> in http://www.tubecad.com/2006/10/blog0085.htm ?

For the OTL version I see absolutly No downside ; a wider band, good immunity
to power supply noise, for me the most desirable design...

>> SESS amp has a much simpler schematic. I read that transformer-coupled amps
>> usually sound better than OTL.

Well also I read a lot, but "live music in concert" and shows like Festival du Son in Montreal every year gives you better feeling to compare real and reproduction

OTL amplifiers I did hear gave me the impression of real music!
Whatever nice or costly transformer used in a SE or Parafeed will harm something,
As well as a capacitor in the signal path...

>> I understand that for a heaphone amp using three chokes in PSU is slightly
>> too much.
In this case No, a very good design, the 2 last chokes used for channel separation.

A better PSU design would be with:

0)- OTL NO reg, No chokes ;

all other headphone Class A amps:
1)- a Super Regulator for B+ {CCS + Shunt reg}
2)- a Mosfet regulated serial reg {CCS replacing the zener diodes}
3)- 2 chokes and 3 electrolytic capacitors
4)- 1 choke and 2 electrolytic capacitors {2 channel on the same B+}

5)- Noise cancellation in the Aikido is a plus....

PS: I express here only my tiny view, and personal opinion!

Alain.