Good amp for Grado cans?

So I've got an SR80e I'm looking to pair with an amp. I've tried the Little Dot 1+ (which comes frequently recommended) but I've had issues with the build quality namely- volume not going off when dial is on 0 on two separate units. Tube amps comes often recommended for Grado so I think I'd look to stick to that type of amp. I have an eye on a few of Schiit's as I already have and am happy with their Modi 2 Uber (4490) namely- the Vali 2, Valhalla 2, and the Lyr 2. The last one is a bit out of my price range but I guess I can stretch the budget. While the 80e is the only headphone I currently have I do not just want to stick to Grado in the future. Sennheiser seems like it could be a type of can in my horizon so if whatever amp I end up with can also run harder to run amps such as those, that would be a plus.

Do you guys have any ideas?

 

Unless you like the retro hipster look and enjoy the exaggerated highs, sell off the Grado and get a Senn HD598 for only a couple bucks more. Grab a Vali2 and call it a day before the hobby consumes you and dropping $1k+ for a headphone system seems like a good investment.

 

Price really isn't a matter for me. I enjoy the Grado "house sound", especially for rock 'n' roll music. I'll be hanging onto my sr80e's but as I said, a Sennheiser HD 650 or something of that magnitude may be in my horizon. Considering that, is the Vali 2 still an ideal amp choice or would the Valhalla 2 be a better option?

 

All you need is a Grado RA-1
http://www.gradolabs.com/headphones/headphone-amps

 

I think the problem with Grado(s) in general is: the moment you open your mind and listen to quality cans within the same price tier, you'll realize how shitty Grado(s) are.
For nostalgic reason I'm still keeping my RS-1i but it has not been worn for about 2 years now; jeebuz even the humble Creative Aurvana Live! sounds better, K181 sounds better, I don't even dare to imagine comparing it to HD6x0.
Seriously, so much for this USD500+ Grado cans...

I've had a chance to listen through a stock Valhalla 2 (with my RS-1i) in a meet. Very enjoyable experience. A remarkable value amp that is able to turn a Grado to an audibly more quality listening experience.

Also had a chance to listen with it through Woo Audio's tube lineups, Bakoon, GeekOut Pulse, Mojo, Ragnarok, etc but IMO Valhalla 2 is among the best for the bucks for your SR-80.

Not only for the Grado, I'm sure Val 2 will carry its own weight if you decide to step up into higher quality cans in the future. Then there are a lot of tubes recommendation from the more experienced people in this forum for the Val 2, should start reading those.

 

Go with the Vali 2, it will sound good with the Grados and will sound good with an HD6x0. And if you decide to experiment with planars it will sound good with those too.

 

The HF-2 is maybe the most I'd ever go on a Grado, and that's stretching it. The 325 is actually ok and was surprisingly not as bright as people said it'd be.