How does one match a headphone to a headphone amp?

[eljr]

Just what is it you need to look for?

What specs from you headphones tell you what to shop for in an amp to drive them?

A bit more specific, I am considering buying the Stax SR-007MK2. An audio guy said my current headphone amp would not drive them. What specs told him this, specifically? and, what specs do I need to look for in one that can?

 

[NINaudio]

If I remember correctly, the biggest issue between headphone amps and headphones is the impedance of the headphones. What is your current headphone amp?

 

[lovinthehd]

Yep watch impedance characteristics of the units involved to make sure they're suited for each other is my understanding too....just not a headphone user so haven't delved into it all that much.....but since headphones impedance characteristics are so different from speaker amp requirements, it just makes you think about it a bit differently. Audiosciencereview might be a better place for specifics on that sort of gear, they spend a lot of time on the subject.

 

[eljr]

If I remember correctly, the biggest issue between headphone amps and headphones is the impedance of the headphones. What is your current headphone amp?

My current dac/headphone amp: Dac-10H

 

[lovinthehd]

My current dac/headphone amp: Dac-10H

The headphones used now and in consideration are ?

 

[eljr]

The headphones used now and in consideration are ?

The one I want to buy: Stax SR-007MK2
The ones I use now:
HIFIMan HE-500
Grado GS 1000e
Sennheiser HD 600

 

[TLS Guy]

Just what is it you need to look for?

What specs from you headphones tell you what to shop for in an amp to drive them?

A bit more specific, I am considering buying the Stax SR-007MK2. An audio guy said my current headphone amp would not drive them. What specs told him this, specifically? and, what specs do I need to look for in one that can?

Stax have made exclusively electrostatic and not dynamic electro magnetic headphones since 1938. They are widely recognized as the ultimate in headphones, with a price to prove it.

Now electromagnetic phones have impedances that range for 8 ohm to 600 ohms. The lower the impedance the more current the headphone amp has to provide.

Now the Stax phones you are looking at have an impedance of 170 K ohms. That is 170,000 ohms. So those phones require a special high voltage, low current amp to drive them. In addition the amp has to provide the polarizing voltage for the electrostatic diaphragm, which I believe is of the order of 100 volts DC. There are headphone specialist sites that can advise you on options.

Stax do make at least a couple of amps to drive their phones. This is one.

Your current headphone amp has a max output voltage of 8 volts and is designed for headphones from 8 ohm to 600 ohm impedance. It can not provide the polarizing voltage for Stax phones. So you current headphone amp will not drive Stax headphones. The Audio guy gave you the correct advice.

I would use a Stax amp if you are really going for the ultimate headphone experience.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Just what is it you need to look for?

What specs from you headphones tell you what to shop for in an amp to drive them?

A bit more specific, I am considering buying the Stax SR-007MK2. An audio guy said my current headphone amp would not drive them. What specs told him this, specifically? and, what specs do I need to look for in one that can?

I would get the matching Stax amp with the Stax headphones, or earspeakers as Stax calls them. As I wouldn't like to risk damaging those cans with improper amping. Those cans are not easy for amplification like TLS Guy mentioned. Really amazing headphones with the matched amplification and I wish to buy a pair myself some day as well. Have auditioned them once and I loved them.

 

[TLS Guy]

These are the only product that I can think off where the competition offers no contest on performance.

I have heard Stax phones twice, and they are truly in a class of their own, and leave the competition well in the dust.

If I got into a situation where headphone listening became my only option, then the only phones I would consider, would be Stax.

 

[eljr]

Stax have made exclusively electrostatic and not dynamic electro magnetic headphones since 1938. They are widely recognized as the ultimate in headphones, with a price to prove it.

Now electromagnetic phones have impedances that range for 8 ohm to 600 ohms. The lower the impedance the more current the headphone amp has to provide.

Now the Stax phones you are looking at have an impedance of 170 K ohms. That is 170,000 ohms. So those phones require a special high voltage, low current amp to drive them. In addition the amp has to provide the polarizing voltage for the electrostatic diaphragm, which I believe is of the order of 100 volts DC. There are headphone specialist sites that can advise you on options.

Stax do make at least a couple of amps to drive their phones. This is one.

Your current headphone amp has a max output voltage of 8 volts and is designed for headphones from 8 ohm to 600 ohm impedance. It can not provide the polarizing voltage for Stax phones. So you current headphone amp will not drive Stax headphones. The Audio guy gave you the correct advice.

I would use a Stax amp if you are really going for the ultimate headphone experience.

This exact amp you link here can fully drive the exact headphone I linked, correct?

 

[TLS Guy]

This exact amp you link here can fully drive the exact headphone I linked, correct?

That is correct.

 

[eljr]

That is correct.

The linked amp contains a Dac. Can I use this model instead SRM 400s?
I have a Dac which uses the "SABRE32 Reference ES9018K2M" from ESS with "ESS’s 32-bit Hyperstream™ DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator." "dynamic range of up to 127dB and THD+N of -120dB"

Long story short, I love my current Dac.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

The linked amp contains a Dac. Can I use this model instead SRM 400s?
I have a Dac which uses the "SABRE32 Reference ES9018K2M" from ESS with "ESS’s 32-bit Hyperstream™ DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator." "dynamic range of up to 127dB and THD+N of -120dB"

Long story short, I love my current Dac.

It has the same output power so I would think that it will work. If my memory serves me well that was the same amp I auditioned the Stax earpeakers with. If you are unsure you could always ask Stax directly or the retailer who sells them.

 

[TLS Guy]

The linked amp contains a Dac. Can I use this model instead SRM 400s?
I have a Dac which uses the "SABRE32 Reference ES9018K2M" from ESS with "ESS’s 32-bit Hyperstream™ DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator." "dynamic range of up to 127dB and THD+N of -120dB"

Long story short, I love my current Dac.

Yes, it will work. All Stax units that designed for electrostatic headphones will power all of their electrostatic phones.

When you get the units, please give is a full report!