[elcaptain88]

I currently have a B60DA that I use with headphones greater than 50% of the time. I use either Grado SR225's or Senn HD650's. I've been very pleased with the sound of each directly out of the headphone jack of the B60 - but am curious if a higher quality headphone amp might produce performance an order of magnitude better - especially with the HD650's. I've looked at a few from Headroom, etc. - has anyone done any comparisons? If there is little difference I wouldn't bother. I would assume I could hook one up through the tape outs. Any insights / experiences are appreciated.

[nicolasb]

I believe the B60 headphone stage is quite good, so you might not get much benefit from an external headphone amp; but I can't speak from direct experience.

If you want to try an unconventional but highly effective headphone amp then I suggest you try a Graham Slee Projects "Solo". This is, admittedly, better value for us Brits than it is for those in the USA, what with transport costs and the $/£ exchange rate, but it's still a very nice piece of kit any way you look at it. Sennheiser themselves use one to demo their headphones at hifi exhibitions.

Link to "Solo" on Mr Slee's home page: http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/preamps/headphone.htm

Possible US source if that's useful: http://www.elexatelier.com/Solo.htm