[Freo-1]

Just picked up a DIY Kludge Headphone amp from my buddy who makes all sorts of gear for people.  The schematic is from a old Vacuum Tube Valley issue#11, dtd 1999.  It's a pretty simple OTL design, using a 6SL7 and a 6080 or a 6AS7 tube.  It's got pretty good power, and sounds very clean. 


Here are some pictures:

 


 


  

[JakeJ]

Very cool, Freo-1.  Any experience with other tube headphone amps to give us a comparison to?  I have zero experience with tube headphone gear but a fair amount with amps, preamps, buffers, etc.

Been toying with getting another set of Stax.  I tried a high-end IEM but got tired of them pretty quickly.  Then I tried some Audeze but didn't care for the sonic signature.  I did pick up a pair of Massdrop/Sennheiser Jubilee 58xx, meh.  What cans are you using?

[Freo-1]

I have Focal Elear and JPS Abyss 1266 phi CC.   This amp can drive both cans, but there's more headroom with the Elear. 


My primary headphone amp is  mjolnir-audio Pure Bipolar SS, which is a great amp.  Just wanted to try a tube headphone amp to get some warmth for Jazz and Blues. 


I generally have steered clear of tube headphone amps, due to a lack of power.  The Kludge design has sufficient power available to drive a wide variety of both low and high impedance cans. 


This has some similarities to the Bottlehead crack,  but this to me is a better design,  and safer as well. 

[Freo-1]

BTW, I had Stax 007s, and IMHO, the 1266 is better. 

[FullRangeMan]

Do you think it can drive the Hifimans 35 ohms 90dB ?

[Freo-1]

It would be usable if you didn't use parametic EQ.  I was able to drive the 1266, which has similar specs.

[FullRangeMan]

Thanks 
6080 is a military very nice tube.

[Freo-1]

It is a nice tube.  This amp has good sound.