Behringer Headphone Amp

[nm2285]

I own the Beyerdynamic DT880s and use them at school on an old Kenwood receiver and at home on my NAD C370. I notice that the sound is better on my NAD and so am considering a headphone amp for school. it would be connected to my soundcard (creative audigy 2zs notebook) and then to the headphones.

should this amp be sufficient: http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHAMP800

what ratings should i be looking for (other than output power)?

thanks,
nick

 

[WmAx]

I own the Beyerdynamic DT880s and use them at school on an old Kenwood receiver and at home on my NAD C370. I notice that the sound is better on my NAD and so am considering a headphone amp for school. it would be connected to my soundcard (creative audigy 2zs notebook) and then to the headphones.

should this amp be sufficient: http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHAMP800

what ratings should i be looking for (other than output power)?

thanks,
nick

I have not used or tested the product referenced. Therefor I can not recommend it under these circumstances. I can, however, recommend the Behringer UB1202 portable mixer. I have tested it with a variety of extreme headphone sensitivities and impedance, and it performs perfectly and with no noise(when you set gains correctly) whatsoever.

-Chris

 

[nm2285]

Any idea what the output is on it? would this piece probably be an upgrade to the receiver i'm using now?

 

[WmAx]

Any idea what the output is on it? would this piece probably be an upgrade to the receiver i'm using now?

The output? I did not measure maximum output. However, the UB1202 headphone jack did produce over 9 VRMS cleanly, which at that point I did not bother to test higher voltage output. It should be able to produce at least 12VRMS, based on the supply voltage. I have tested the UB1202 with one of the most sensitive low impedance headpones: 32 ohm Sony MDR-CD3000 and on one of the most low sensitivity high impedance headphones:the 400 ohm AKG K 340. It can power either of these perfectly, even on the most dynamic classical/opera that has +30dB dynamic peaks. Just set the gain controls properly.

I do not know if it would be an upgrade over your reciever. Assuming that the reciever headphone output is properly designed, does not distort and has no audible noise, it should sound basicly the same. Output impedance can be factor with some headphones, causing a slight difference of subtle audibility due the frequency response difference(s). I am referring to huge differences in output impedance, say 1 ohm vs. 100 ohms.

Here is an example of the effect of output impedance on a very popular hi-fi headphone:

http://www.linaeum.com/images/hd580_source.gif

-Chris