Headphone Amplifiers, how great are these things anyway?

[Seth=L]

I have wondered this for a while, but never really got around to asking. What makes headphone amplifiers so special. Is it because they are Class A in many cases? I have been using the headphone output on my Teac CR-H220 with no real complaints with my $20 headphones and I gotta say it sounds great to me.

At some point I would like to get some good cans, though I don't want that to be the topic of discussion here, and would like to know how much a difference it would really make to have a dedicated headphone amplifier. I would also like to not pay big bucks just to get one, probably less than $100 if it is possible.

 

[Haoleb]

I notice a more full bodied, defined sound when using an amplifier. Some cans require an amplifier, and they are also good for those with only a phones setup and needing to power the cans off a cd player or something. I built my amplifiers, which are clones of the Grado model, I would not pay the retail price for the amp knowing what difference there is with or without it, But for the price to build one i think its worth it.

http://home.hawaii.rr.com/haolebmain/haoleb/headphoneamp.htm

 

[zhimbo]

It depends on your power source, and how hard your phones are to drive, I imagine, although I've grown very attached to the crossfeed function on my little headphone amp which will apply regardless of those factors.

I've seen some pretty persuasive stuff regarding the use of a portable amp with a portable player (which often have pretty feeble output), but not much hard data regarding use with typical receivers, etc. I have little doubt that, like many audiophile products, there's no real reason to go for the ultra-pricey deluxe models other than prestige.

These reviews from a techie-site (filled with anti-audiophile-quackery-rants if you look for them) are pretty good reads - they won't settle the issues once and for all, but are definitely worth reading:

http://www.dansdata.com/bithead.htm
http://www.dansdata.com/cmoy.htm
http://www.dansdata.com/microstack.htm

 

[dorokusai]

I'm a headphone lover and have been down both roads when it comes to amplification. It's nice to find built-in headphone amps like the ones found in Anthem or Sonic Frontiers, for example. Headphones are as much fun as the main 2CH for me.

I agree with Zhimbo as with anything it can get expensive for little or no reason. I think the Musical Fidelity X-Can, the older ones like the v1 or v2, can usually be picked up pretty cheap.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[mazersteven]

My next headphone amp will be a tube amp. I am thinking of the Woo Audio 3. I have no experience with tubes and think it will be fun to experiment with "Tube Rolling".

http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wa3.html

Or the Woo Audio 6

http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wa6.html

 

[WmAx]

I have wondered this for a while, but never really got around to asking. What makes headphone amplifiers so special. Is it because they are Class A in many cases? I have been using the headphone output on my Teac CR-H220 with no real complaints with my $20 headphones and I gotta say it sounds great to me.

At some point I would like to get some good cans, though I don't want that to be the topic of discussion here, and would like to know how much a difference it would really make to have a dedicated headphone amplifier. I would also like to not pay big bucks just to get one, probably less than $100 if it is possible.

Headphone amplifiers are pretty much the same issue as loudspeaker amplifiers. I did provide a reply that covers most of this in your other thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=306518&postcount=17

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

My next headphone amp will be a tube amp. I am thinking of the Woo Audio 3. I have no experience with tubes and think it will be fun to experiment with "Tube Rolling".

Well, at least it serves the purpose of a decoration. It is attractive, in a retro sytle kind of way.

-Chris

 

[jaxvon]

A headphone amplifier is called for when what you're currently using doesn't meet your requirements for noise floor, frequency response, and/or power output. With some headphones, an amplifier is a waste of money, such as the Sony MDR-7506, which needs only a low-noise and low-distortion source, such as a Creative Audigy ZS 2.

 

[Mudcat]

Do you have kids?

or a spouse who likes to listen to something different?

I have an Alto HPA4 headphone amp (less than $100 most places). There are lots like this too.

The neat things about some headphone amps that are geared for the studio are:

1) multiple channels (so that many people can listen through their own cans)

2) multiple outputs per channel 12 people can listen through the four channels of the HPA4

3) Individual treble and bass controls on each channel

4) Auxiliary stereo input on each channel - so you and your significant other can listen to different things while the kiddies are sleeping (or having WWIII while you can't hear em)

 

[Seth=L]

My Teac has a low noise floor and I have noticed no distortion.

I am also currious. When I connect my headphones to the Teac the relay for the mains kick off (I understand why), but what I would like to know is what is going on with the amplifier. In theory if the gain could be infinitely variable would the headphone output be able to match that of the speaker output? The Teac is limited to a range of 0-60 I believe and I have never felt the need to go past 35 with headphones, but would there be enough headroom to power more power hungry headphones? The Teac is Class A/B, has an Integrated circuit output device 3300 uF 35v capacitors (2) and a child's fist size power supply, not a toroid (was unable to find specs for the power supply).

 

[sholling]

I tend to agree with zhimbo "It depends on your power source, and how hard your phones are to drive" My lowly Pioneer receiver drives my HD600 just fine. I just don't find myself using them that much now that I've moved into a house and can crank up my mains.

I imagine, although I've grown very attached to the crossfeed function on my little headphone amp which will apply regardless of those factors.

I've seen some pretty persuasive stuff regarding the use of a portable amp with a portable player

Again I agree with zhimbo. My Total Airhead really brings my Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pro/Sansa e280 setup to life.

 

[furrycute]

I think for 99.9% of us, the headphone out on your average home theater receiver is more than adequate for your "canning" needs.

I used to own a couple of standalone boutique headphone amps in the $1K range, after comparing them to the headphone out on my Yamaha receiver, I couldn't really find all that much audible difference. The cans I used included Sennheiser HD600, Sony CD3000, etc. As a result I sold all of the headphone amps and am I solely using my Yamaha to drive my headphones.

The only reason when you need a headphone amp is when your audio device's headphone out doesn't provide enough power to drive your headphones. This usually occurs when you try to use portable mp3 players to drive headphones such as Sennheiser HD600. The headphone out on your home theater receiver has more than enough juice to drive anything you can throw at it. A standalone headphone amp for home use is really wasted money.


Regarding why these boutique headphone amps are so expensive. Well, a boutique headphone amp manufacturer can churn out like what 20 headphone amps in a year, while Yamaha can churn out 200,000 receivers in a year. Of course Yamaha can cut the margins pretty thin and still make a profit, not to mention all that existing investment in automation and far cheaper parts costs, etc. You do the math.

 

[mazersteven]

I think for 99.9% of us, the headphone out on your average home theater receiver is more than adequate for your "canning" needs.

I used to own a couple of standalone boutique headphone amps in the $1K range, after comparing them to the headphone out on my Yamaha receiver, I couldn't really find all that much audible difference. The cans I used included Sennheiser HD600, Sony CD3000, etc. As a result I sold all of the headphone amps and am I solely using my Yamaha to drive my headphones.

You do the math.

I have a Denon 4806, and the headphone jack does a decent job when using my HD600's. But the Denon just doesn't do it with my AKG 701's. I have to turn my volume knob way up to get the same volume level as the HD600's.

My $250 Headfive amp does a fantastic job with my 701's, better then my $3500 receiver.

You do that math.

 

[mazersteven]

Regarding why these boutique headphone amps are so expensive. Well, a boutique headphone amp manufacturer can churn out like what 20 headphone amps in a year, while Yamaha can churn out 200,000 receivers in a year. Of course Yamaha can cut the margins pretty thin and still make a profit, not to mention all that existing investment in automation and far cheaper parts costs, etc. You do the math.

And where did you get this information?

Please post a link to your findings that headphone amp manufacturers churn out "Only" 20 amps a year.

I would love to know what Justin from Headamp, Ray Samuels, and Jan Meier think about that. Just to name a few.

And margins pretty thin?

 

[Haoleb]

20 amps a year... lol maybe a little bit too exxagerated. Thats like one and a third a month

 

[Tod]

A standalone headphone amp for home use is really wasted money.

Well, unless the place you use it doesn't happen to have a headphone jack.

OK, so I've got the Sennheiser HD600s. The impedance on them is 300 ohms, compared to 30-60 for easier models to drive, the ones that are more OK just to use with a portable player etc. I had been using mine in my bedroom with the line out on a DAC I got from this one guy. It worked, and worked better than some things, but considering what they were supposed to sound like I was pretty sure I needed something more.

So I just got the Channel Islands Audio headphone amp yesterday ($350 - not $100, but not bad either), and it does make a noticeable difference. I'm not obsessed or knowledgeable enough to describe it in a way that someone obsessed and knowledgeable would understand, but it's better. No doubt. I could get distortion in the bass if I tried before, but my ears really don't care to try hard enough with this. There was also in some cases something like a mid-range resonance or overtones that just kept the sound from being clear. Don't know why it did it, but it's gone now.

Then I have my portable one so I can go hiking and stuff with the 600s. Looks stupid, but I never run into people anyway, and what's better than music and open headphones out in the middle of nowhere?

Anyway. I'd definitely believe that with high-impedance ones, you will probably get better performance with an amp. Others, which can sound just as good, may not benefit so much.

 

[dem beats]

I am hugely partial to in ear headphones. I have never heard any muff style that can compair... i've only heard up to 600 dollars in studio muffs though... I would take my Shure e3's anyday... I'm so sad as the right is getting a bad short in the wire area somewhere and I might have to buy new ones.. upgrade time... after I save for a lifetime!!

anyway...

I've never, ever had a problem driving that kind of earphone/headpphone. Maybe with a muff's larger driver or higher impedence.. but the in ear cancel so much I can her the sounds allot better at much lower DB.

 

[Tod]

I like mine too, but even with the smallest ear cone plug thing, they still aren't that comfortable. They sound OK, but I like the open ones better for both comfort and sound. However, for power tools, shooting, whatever, and I still want music, having earplugs that play is oh so nice.

Edit: and yeah, the E4c impedance is rated at 29 ohms. I do use those just with the out jack on my mp3 player and it sounds great with the volume on half. The Sennheisers take a lot more to make some sound.

 

[dem beats]

I like mine too, but even with the smallest ear cone plug thing, they still aren't that comfortable. They sound OK, but I like the open ones better for both comfort and sound. However, for power tools, shooting, whatever, and I still want music, having earplugs that play is oh so nice.

Edit: and yeah, the E4c impedance is rated at 29 ohms. I do use those just with the out jack on my mp3 player and it sounds great with the volume on half. The Sennheisers take a lot more to make some sound.

Those sound pretty wild. I've only looked into studio plugs, i'm actualy thinking about getting the ear molded kind. I think westhouse(sp) makes some amazing ones with great bass. I am really really sensitive to highs and especialy with in ear the highs can be lethal and with rarely an EQ ( I use a shuffle 99% of the time) i'm SOL.