CMoy Amps? Do I need one? Sennheiser PC350

[Mkilbride]

Alright, so my Sennheiser 350's will be here on the 18th, in the mean time I've been reading all the awesome reviews about them.


So I decided I should study all the "bad" reviews. I only found roughly 10-15 of these, compared to thousands of 5 stars across the web.

I read they require like 200 hours of use before they sound good / the bass can be heard, and I've also heard the complaint "Tin cans"?

I was alerted that having an Amp can make the set sound even noicer.

I have a sound-card though:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102019

It says nothing about having a built in Amp or anything, but I've also read that if you don't have an Amp, but have a GOOD sound card, it can work just as well.

So what I'm asking basically is, this burn in time thing is important, right? So should I set the volume to very low, and run audio in a loop for a few nights while I sleep, so that they can "burn in"? Is this a viable method, or just not a good idea?

Also, on the Amp, I've googled abit...and well...it appears to be like 200$ even for a generic amp for the headset.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106219

I got it from Amazon though.(50$ cheaper or so!)

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-350-Gaming-Headset/dp/B0012XFDWO/ref=pd_cp_e_3

I haven't got them yet as I said, so I have no idea how they sound; but I'm moving up from a Creative USB Set, so they're going to be way better, I'd imagine, though some reviews can be dis-heartening.


---------------------------


Also a friend linked me to this:

CMoy Pocket Amplifier

http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/

Says for about 20$, I can build it myself, anyone have any word on this?

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=CMoy&_kw=Amplifier&_ckw=Pocket

Seems you can buy pre-built on Ebay. I know some of the purists in you will probably look down at me for buying a gaming headset, and using a cheap Amp, but please, just help me out on this one. Thanks, I don't really want to buy a 100-200$ AMP and I've heard good thing about the CMoy's. I was looking at this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CMOY-Blue-Ice-Stereo-Hi-Fi-Headphone-Amplifier-Amp_W0QQitemZ230421347642QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a62ebd3a

Thanks.

 

[TLS Guy]

Alright, so my Sennheiser 350's will be here on the 18th, in the mean time I've been reading all the awesome reviews about them.


So I decided I should study all the "bad" reviews. I only found roughly 10-15 of these, compared to thousands of 5 stars across the web.

I read they require like 200 hours of use before they sound good / the bass can be heard, and I've also heard the complaint "Tin cans"?

I was alerted that having an Amp can make the set sound even noicer.

I have a sound-card though:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102019

It says nothing about having a built in Amp or anything, but I've also read that if you don't have an Amp, but have a GOOD sound card, it can work just as well.

So what I'm asking basically is, this burn in time thing is important, right? So should I set the volume to very low, and run audio in a loop for a few nights while I sleep, so that they can "burn in"? Is this a viable method, or just not a good idea?

Also, on the Amp, I've googled abit...and well...it appears to be like 200$ even for a generic amp for the headset.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106219

I got it from Amazon though.(50$ cheaper or so!)

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-350-Gaming-Headset/dp/B0012XFDWO/ref=pd_cp_e_3

I haven't got them yet as I said, so I have no idea how they sound; but I'm moving up from a Creative USB Set, so they're going to be way better, I'd imagine, though some reviews can be dis-heartening.


---------------------------


Also a friend linked me to this:

CMoy Pocket Amplifier

http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/

Says for about 20$, I can build it myself, anyone have any word on this?

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_kw=CMoy&_kw=Amplifier&_ckw=Pocket

Seems you can buy pre-built on Ebay. I know some of the purists in you will probably look down at me for buying a gaming headset, and using a cheap Amp, but please, just help me out on this one. Thanks, I don't really want to buy a 100-200$ AMP and I've heard good thing about the CMoy's. I was looking at this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CMOY-Blue-Ice-Stereo-Hi-Fi-Headphone-Amplifier-Amp_W0QQitemZ230421347642QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a62ebd3a

Thanks.

The fact they need 200 hours of use before sounding right is nonsense.

They seem to have adequate bass response. I have never heard bass shy headphones from Sennheiser.

The impedance of the phones is 150 ohms, so any decent sound card should drive them.

They might sound better with an amp but I would try it without first.

I looked at the circuit of the Cmoy amp. The problem I see is that the volume control is ahead of the chip, so the chip is wide open, and signal to noise will deteriorate as you turn down the volume. It is much better to put the volume control in the gain loop of the opamp, then as you turn down the volume, signal to noise actually increases, which is what you want.

So I would not personally build that amp, I would design a better one. Opamps are easy to design for.

 

[Mkilbride]

Thanks, most reviews for them claim it has really weak bass and sounds low and recommends an Amp.

Also, I don't think I could build one myself, no real tooks; but the pre-builts look pretty good.

I'd just like to not spend more than 50$ on an Amp, so Cmoy's looked perfect. I guess I'll take your advice and see in a few days.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks, most reviews for them claim it has really weak bass and sounds low and recommends an Amp.

Also, I don't think I could build one myself, no real tooks; but the pre-builts look pretty good.

I'd just like to not spend more than 50$ on an Amp, so Cmoy's looked perfect. I guess I'll take your advice and see in a few days.

It all depends on the output impedance of the sound card. If it has a high output impedance it will sound lousy.

If you need an amp I would get something that does not use batteries. I predict you will always leaver it on and drain the batteries.

There are plenty of self powered headphone amps.

 

[Mkilbride]

Hmm? One that plugs into the wall, good sound quality, and 50$ range? Any suggestions? CMoy is all I can really find in the price range that comes recommended and most of them use AA's, I found one that plugs into the wall and it was like 130$


http://cgi.ebay.com/PA2V2-Headphones-Amplifier-Rechargeable-Headphone-Amp_W0QQitemZ190363904621QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c5292aa6d

Any word on the PA2V2? Also, besides the Amp, do I need any wires to connect it from the Amp to my Soundcard? I've seen a few Ebay items called "CMoy headset wire" and such, for 20$? Do I need one of those?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hmm? One that plugs into the wall, good sound quality, and 50$ range? Any suggestions? CMoy is all I can really find in the price range that comes recommended and most of them use AA's, I found one that plugs into the wall and it was like 130$


http://cgi.ebay.com/PA2V2-Headphones-Amplifier-Rechargeable-Headphone-Amp_W0QQitemZ190363904621QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c5292aa6d

Any word on the PA2V2? Also, besides the Amp, do I need any wires to connect it from the Amp to my Soundcard? I've seen a few Ebay items called "CMoy headset wire" and such, for 20$? Do I need one of those?

Here you go, these units are actually very good I hear.

 

[Mkilbride]

Here you go, these units are actually very good I hear.

Oh yeah, I was reading abit about those. I know it's unlikely, but do you have any experience with Amps in this range?


Maximum Output Level
approx. 40 mW into 100 Ohms

Headset is 150 Ohms, that won't effect it any would it?


Also, do I need one of those wires I see going for 20$?

 

[TLS Guy]

Oh yeah, I was reading abit about those. I know it's unlikely, but do you have any experience with Amps in this range?


Maximum Output Level
approx. 40 mW into 100 Ohms

Headset is 150 Ohms, that won't effect it any would it?


Also, do I need one of those wires I see going for 20$

You don't need expensive wire, and since the impedance of your phones is 150 ohms you will be fine.

 

[GSXR_Rider]

A cmoy would be money well spent - I have bought several and also built my own. They have improved the sound and dynamic range of all 4 sets of headphones I own.

For a little more money the Mini3 headphone amp though is amazing and puts my Cmoys to shame. I picked one up off Ebay for about $85 shipped and it is a seriously nice quality piece that has gone head to head with amps costing 5x more. Google Mini3 and you will see what I am talking about. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Mkilbride]

A cmoy would be money well spent - I have bought several and also built my own. They have improved the sound and dynamic range of all 4 sets of headphones I own.

For a little more money the Mini3 headphone amp though is amazing and puts my Cmoys to shame. I picked one up off Ebay for about $85 shipped and it is a seriously nice quality piece that has gone head to head with amps costing 5x more. Google Mini3 and you will see what I am talking about. You won't be disappointed.

85$ is to much.

I can find them for 100-140$, which specifically I said I do not wish to spend.

50-60$, tops. CMoy seems great from what I've read.

About the wire; on Ebay they have it for 18$ + 9$ shipping...that's almost as expensive as the CMoy itself...googling I can find Speaker cables & wires, but not sure what exactly if it's the same as the Hi-Fi wire.

Can anyone link me to some decent wire that'd work with a CMoy?

Would this work with a CMoy? Is it good?

 

[TLS Guy]

85$ is to much.

I can find them for 100-140$, which specifically I said I do not wish to spend.

50-60$, tops. CMoy seems great from what I've read.

About the wire; on Ebay they have it for 18$ + 9$ shipping...that's almost as expensive as the CMoy itself...googling I can find Speaker cables & wires, but not sure what exactly if it's the same as the Hi-Fi wire.



Can anyone link me to some decent wire that'd work with a CMoy?

Would this work with a CMoy? Is it good?

You just need a screened stereo cable between the source and the phone preamp.

You can get it at Radio Shack or order it from Monoprice or Blue Jeans Cable.

 

[Mkilbride]

Oh? I thought I linked some:

http://www.l-com.com/productfamily.aspx?id=1314

This be good?

 

[TLS Guy]

Oh? I thought I linked some:

http://www.l-com.com/productfamily.aspx?id=1314

This be good?

Should be fine, except you probably need 3.5 mm to quarter inch phone jack cables. I think the preamps will be quarter inch.

 

[Mkilbride]

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CMOY-Blue-Ice-Stereo-Hi-Fi-Headphone-Amplifier-Amp_W0QQitemZ230421347642QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a62ebd3a

This is said Amp, it looks good, decent specs I think, and 55$ seems fair.

Opinion on it?

Also I don't quite understand about the wire, isn't that the proper wire?

http://cgi.ebay.com/6-inch-3-5mm-Mini-Cmoy-Headphone-Amp-Interconnect-Cable_W0QQitemZ220409567683QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_MP3_Player_Accessories?hash=item33516f19c3

Ebay suggests this for CMoy, but it's far more expensive...

 

[TLS Guy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-CMOY-Blue-Ice-Stereo-Hi-Fi-Headphone-Amplifier-Amp_W0QQitemZ230421347642QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a62ebd3a

This is said Amp, it looks good, decent specs I think, and 55$ seems fair.

Opinion on it?

Also I don't quite understand about the wire, isn't that the proper wire?

http://cgi.ebay.com/6-inch-3-5mm-Mini-Cmoy-Headphone-Amp-Interconnect-Cable_W0QQitemZ220409567683QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_MP3_Player_Accessories?hash=item33516f19c3

Ebay suggests this for CMoy, but it's far more expensive...

I still say that circuit is obtuse. For one thing it requires +9/-9 volt supply, which means you can't use a wall wart power supply. You can make any op amp run on a voltage with reference to ground if you wire to differently and it does not affect performance at all. It does however have access for a charge to use rechargeable batteries. Personally I would by the Behringer, that seems to make good products at reasonable prices.

 

[Mkilbride]

You sure about the Behringer? I asked on some other forums I visit and read they can't powe Sennheiser headsets well, at least the 350.


http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--MONMSLM

Is this the correct wire for the thing? cause it's abit more expensive, but doable.

 

[TLS Guy]

You sure about the Behringer? I asked on some other forums I visit and read they can't powe Sennheiser headsets well, at least the 350.

Here are the specs.


Number of Channels
4

Input Connections
1 x 1/4" TRS Phone

Output Connectors
4 x 1/4" TRS Phone

Maximum Output Level
approx. 40 mW into 100 Ohms

Function Controls
4 x Level Knobs

Frequency Response
20 Hz - 20 kHz

THD + N
Not Specified by Manufacturer

Noise
Not Specified by Manufacturer

Display
No

Dimensions
4.1 x 2.25 x 1.8" (103.6 x 57.2 x 46.5mm)

Weight
(6.7 oz) (190 g)

Specialties
Miniature 4-Channel Headphone Amplifier
Individual Channel Level Control

Behringer reports specs honestly. 40 mw into 100 ohms is the same as the McCoy. The bandwidth of the Behringer is greater than your headphones. That unit will do the trick fine.

On these forums you get the straight skinny. Other forums are replete with anecdotal BS. We challenge that nonsense vigorously.

The is no reason on physics why you should hear any difference between the units.

 

[Mkilbride]

Here are the specs.


Number of Channels
4

Input Connections
1 x 1/4" TRS Phone

Output Connectors
4 x 1/4" TRS Phone

Maximum Output Level
approx. 40 mW into 100 Ohms

Function Controls
4 x Level Knobs

Frequency Response
20 Hz - 20 kHz

THD + N
Not Specified by Manufacturer

Noise
Not Specified by Manufacturer

Display
No

Dimensions
4.1 x 2.25 x 1.8" (103.6 x 57.2 x 46.5mm)

Weight
(6.7 oz) (190 g)

Specialties
Miniature 4-Channel Headphone Amplifier
Individual Channel Level Control

Behringer reports specs honestly. 40 mw into 100 ohms is the same as the McCoy. The bandwidth of the Behringer is greater than your headphones. That unit will do the trick fine.

On these forums you get the straight skinny. Other forums are replete with anecdotal BS. We challenge that nonsense vigorously.

The is no reason on physics why you should hear any difference between the units.

Alright then, what about the Wire? You said something about the 3.5mm not being quite correct, but you didn't comment on what I just posted?

 

[TLS Guy]

Alright then, what about the Wire? You said something about the 3.5mm not being quite correct, but you didn't comment on what I just posted?

If you go with the Behringer you need a 3.5 mm stereo jack to 1/4 inch stereo jack cable. They are common and also readily available.

 

[Mkilbride]

If you go with the Behringer you need a 3.5 mm stereo jack to 1/4 inch stereo jack cable. They are common and also readily available.

Y e s, and I linked a few above, which one will be the best, I ask, look at them please. I know I'm asking alot from you, but my last and final question is which wire to get. Thank you.