I need to get a headphone amp and headphones, as I'm about to get married and need to keep the noise down! Unfortunately, I know nothing at all about headphones, other than that I apparently need a separate amp for them...

I have a Naim CD player and a Linn LP12, and want something that would suit them. [I am used to playing them through a Naim Nait and Linn Kans, and would like something that sounds along these lines, if that makes sense in terms of headphones?]

My combined budget is about £250, but I would stretch to a bit more if it made a big difference. I might have a budget later for upgrades - would this make any difference to my choice?

Would be really grateful for any advice...

[HighlandeR]

need to keep the noise down... or not hear the new wife?

congrats, id say if u need to keep lower volumes down id look at the closed back headphones.

At the moment Senn HD25s and even the Beyerdynamics DT770 are popular closed back cans.

But as always see the response u get here maybe head over to headfi forums/post there also (headphone dedicated forums)

Might be wiser to see if u can test the headphones/equipement out 1st.... check return policys if they dont have demo rooms.

[Reano]

Hmm I have the Linn Lp12 (origin live DC motor, illustrious arm, ortofon Rohmann catridge and Ear phono stage) now Naim and Linn are 'warm' sounding 'smooth' sources and the Beyer or even the Grado will do. Now £250 is a small budget if you want to get the best out of you good sources. I would say. The Musical Fidelity x-Can v3 (which also has tubes good with the vinyl) and some Grado 80's (maybe 125's if you can stretch and get off eBay) would suit you to the ground or in place of the Grado the Sennheiser HD600 are good with the Musical Fidelity so you have a good choice to start with. Note you will need to add some interconnects in the price for the Headphone Amp. By the way I saw some X-Can v3 on eBay today with about 8 days left on bidding

Anything else and your budget has to go up substantially to notice the difference. Next step would be the Senn HD650 with upgraded cable with the Graham Slee v4 'Monitor Class' (price region of £600 2nd hand ) or even the Grado RS1 with the Sugden Headmaster (price £700+ ). Plus cable on top, etc.