Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

You know, sometimes I spend too much time researching a purchase. This was one of those times. I had made the mistake of buying an underpowered Fiio e6, and I regretted it. So I decided to invest some time in figuring out what would be a better headphone amp. Well, some might say anything is better than a Fiio e6, and I would agree with you. But I had some specific requirements. I wanted a nice sounding amp for work. It had to have some power behind it. It had to be inexpensive in case someone walked off with it. I didn't care what it looked like. I saw other tube amps and thought, yes, maybe later, and definitely not for work. But then I spotted this little guy. Then I went to head-fi.org and found more information than I wanted about this little guy. It's got a tube, yes, but it's a hybrid amp, meaning it's also got some solid state stuff inline. Ok, but it's still Class A. Two weeks after running it all day at work, it has burned in some (yes, burn in is real, at least for tubes). I'm running ATH M40's (not the best, but good), and I tell you what: this thing rocks. Yes. It rocks. I guess you can find better amps, cleaner amps, amps with more tubes, or amps with no tubes. But this thing gives you a little of both worlds, and to my ears it is exciting, clean, and fun. I have cried listening to some of my music with this little thing. I'm listening to it as I write this. For 70 bucks, you can't beat it. It's just that good. Yeah. Definitely recommended. Update June 2014: After more than a year of using this amplifier, it is still going strong. I use a Thermaltake Mobile Fan II External USB Cooling Fan - Us to cool the unit, which I believe helps extend its life (the heat sinks do get hot). I've long ago discarded the stock tube, and tried a whole lot of different 12AU7 vintage tubes purchased from auction websites (which have proven to be superior to the stock tube). I have tried other, better headphones than those mentioned in my original review, and this amp drives higher impedance cans with ease. Is it a giant killer? No. There are better tube amps (the Vali Subminiature Hybrid Headphone Amplifier is a better hybrid amp, and it's made in the USA). But this amp represents something significant: it is the least expensive hybrid amp (meaning, tube and solid state) that you can buy, that really sounds good, and can drive lots of different headphones with ease. It also permits "tube rolling", which means you can exchange tubes easily just by turning it off and plugging in a new tube. You can use 12AU7, or 5963 tubes, 5814 tubes, or 6189 tubes as well (some can be purchased for well under $10). Visit head-fi.org and search for the discussions regarding this amp for more details. It has its flaws, but they are harder to find than you might think. The price has dropped $8 or so since I bought mine, so it's an even better deal than it used to be. If you want a cool looking budget amplifier that can be driven by an ipod alone, or by a DAC, or a CD player, then this is an excellent choice. I highly recommend tossing the standard tube, and purchasing a vintage 12AU7 from an auction website (skip the new tubes, they just don't sound as good). If you aren't on a restricted budget or prefer something Made in the USA, take a look at the Schiit Vali mentioned above.