Looking for suggestions for a good headphone amp. I'd like to keep the cost in the $100 - $150 range or under. Currently using the rme multiface II headphone output. That one gets distorted pretty quickly. On that note - if you've ever listened to the Tascam UH7000's lush headphone amp, you're spoiled for life. My story. :) Anyway, appreciate some suggestions.



Thanks,

Single or multi out? That budget is pretty restrictive.

There are plenty of options at that price range.  But if you only need the one jack for yourself, a solid choice is the Mackie 402vlz4 mixer ($100):
 
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/402VLZ4
 
It may seem odd buying a mixer just for the headphone amp, but that's the point:  You get a solid headphone amp along with a quiet little mixer -- not to mention two Onyx mic pres -- added to your toolbox.
 
For more than one amp, I recommend the AKG HP4E ($99):
 
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HP4E
 
Yes, there are cheaper options from "second tier" makers that run in the $25-75 range, and they do the job, but unless you're on tight budget, I'd go for something else with a better quality build.

what i use:
 
http://www.musiciansfrien...p;kwid=productads-adid^156403583515-device^c-plaid^143951190522-sku^J28272000000000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA
 
works like a charm.
 
$49.

Obviously there are options in that budget. I'm just wondering if they'd be a significant improvement over the RME, my UCX drives my 250Ohms DT990 louder than I'd ever enjoy without distorting.

Are

musicroom
Looking for suggestions for a good headphone amp. I'd like to keep the cost in the $100 - $150 range or under. Currently using the rme multiface II headphone output. That one gets distorted pretty quickly. On that note - if you've ever listened to the Tascam UH7000's lush headphone amp, you're spoiled for life. My story. :) Anyway, appreciate some suggestions.



Thanks,

 
Try either the Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL HA4700  if you have a rack to place the Head Phone amp in a rack space.
Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL HA4700 - Video
 
or the
 
Presonus HP 4 if you just want to place it on a desk, (However, it can go on a half rack shelf.
Presonus - HP4  Video
 
Both between $100.00 - $150.00

JonD
...if you only need the one jack for yourself, a solid choice is the Mackie 402vlz4 mixer ($100):
 
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/402VLZ4
 
It may seem odd buying a mixer just for the headphone amp, but that's the point:  You get a solid headphone amp along with a quiet little mixer -- not to mention two Onyx mic pres -- added to your toolbox...

 
It can also double up as a DI box and as a signal splitter. It's a useful device to have around.

Sanderxpander
Single or multi out? That budget is pretty restrictive.

Single will be fine - multi would be a plus.

Thanks,

Sanderxpander
Obviously there are options in that budget. I'm just wondering if they'd be a significant improvement over the RME, my UCX drives my 250Ohms DT990 louder than I'd ever enjoy without distorting.

I'm sure the UCX has a really good headphone out. That's one of the weaknesses of the Multiface II - maybe the only weakness. I also have a babyface which has a far surperior headphone amp.

Thanks to all for the tips and suggestions. If there are others, I will be watching the thread.

I'm going to take a close look at the Mackie mixer. Any thoughts on how a small Yamaha mixer would measure up with the Mackie?