Headphone amp - help please

[Womaz]

I have a 200 companion unit's analog Stereo Pre-Out connected to a Violectric V200 driving the Hifiman HE6 and Fostex TH600.

The 200 companion Pre-Out uses it's own DAC chip. This is different than the one used to drive speakers in-line with ADH amplification block. It sounds brilliant, better than my previous DAC (Berkeley Alpha Series 1).

On the headphones front, I'd suggest picking a headphone before the amp. Just like speakers each has it's own signature that may or may not call to you and will dictate amp requirements. For example the HE6s are inefficient and V200 is well above average in the power department but even more power is needed to get their full potential. TH600s although less transparent, easier to drive, have a colored (V shape) signature but are more enjoyable for me.

Very helpful thank you. I have my amp at present set up as you do , using the pre-outs. I was just wondering that if I chose an amp later that had digital connections to the 200, then would this use the ADH technology. I just remember when I got the 200 the advice was to have a digital connection for my source as Devilalet prefer this. Would the same reasoning apply to the headphone amp.?

I have decided to go headphones first, and if I can find a local Hifiman stockist I will try and audition these first. I may even have to buy the headphones blind and thats quite scary for the amount of cash involved.

Steve