Just got a custom-made headphone amp

[SilverMK3]

First impressions are: "Holy crap, I wish I'd known years ago."

While I was quite impressed with the sound of my new Sennheiser HD280 Pro's before I ordered one of MisterX's Pimetas, I have to say they're like whole new beasts when they're hooked up to the amp. Everything is louder, clearer, and much punchier now. While the Senns were always very clear and "musical", they've got some serious presense now. Its like listening to music in my HT room - subwoofer and all.

Here are some pics:

 

[jaxvon]

How much was that sexy thang Dave? I could use a good amp for my Sonys.

 

[SilverMK3]

I got it for $125 shipped to Canada from one of the moderators at http://www.hardforum.com (a computer geek forum). He makes them for people out of his house. They start at $85. Here are some pics of the other amps he's made: http://members.aol.com/x86inside/ (I got one of his Pimeta's).

 

[jaxvon]

Hmm... I might have to get one of those...

I really need something high quality for my 'phones.

 

[krzywica]

Boy that sure is perty!

 

[nibhaz]

It's not pretty, it's down right sexy!

 

[Sleestack]

I love headphone amps. I just sponsored a head-fi meet at one of my hotels. About 60 people and 4 vendors showed up with some amazing equipment. I currently use a maxed out Singlepower MPX3, but I just ordered the Singlepower Maestro-XLR.... tube rectified, seperate power source, balanced inputs and outputs and weighs in at about 100 lbs. It is based on this chassis:

 

[jaxvon]

I just sponsored a head-fi meet at one of my hotels.

For some reason I just flashed back to Monopoly...

That's a really nice amp. Though for my purposes, overkill. Anyone know of an inexpensive, compact DAC? And I mean college student inexpensive, not your version of inexpensive Sleestack...

 

[Duffinator]

I know nothing about headphone amps. So Silver, will that amp work with an iPod, looks like you have an mp3 player connected, and with my audio out from my PC? What type of audio input does it have? I'd be nice to have something like that to listen to music while the rest of the family is asleep and I'm using my PC.

 

[SilverMK3]

Hey Duffinator. Yeah that's a 20GB iRiver mp3 player.

The amp uses a standard 1/8" mini stereo jack for the input, though you can optionally get one with RCA inputs on the back. Its currently running on two 9V batteries but I'm going to pick up an AC adapter at radio shack after work today. The difference is unbelievable.

Sleestack, that's an amazing looking amp, its definately out of my price range though. I like the input selector idea however... I wonder how hard it would be to implement.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I really have been thinking about picking up a headphone amp since I am eternally frustrated by my A/V receiver kicking off all audio whenever I plug headphones in. That is, with my receiver in the basement, anytime I want to connect, or disconnect, my headphones, I have to go downstairs and plug them in or unplug them. What a PITA.

So, if I hook it up to, say, VCR2 OUT on my receiver, then run those wires up to my family room, then into the headphone amp, I should be able to turn on and use my headphones without that added trip to the basement.

Anyone know of any with IR control? Power on/off?

I'll do some searching on my own. Not looking to spend a lot as I am not a critical headphone listener.

 

[WmAx]

Hmm... I might have to get one of those...

I really need something high quality for my 'phones.

If you are still using the same headphone as before[Sony MDR-7506], then almost anything should power the device sufficiently. It has a moderately high impedance[64 ohms] along with a high efficiency. In fact, the only problem that may really come along form time to time is an audible noisefloor[due to the headphone's high efficiency] on some gear.

Some headphones, however, require an external amp due to various reasons: perhaps the source has no headphone output, perhaps the headphone output has insufficient voltage, or filters the low frequency response[due to insufficient size coupleing capacitors], etc..

I have never needed to use any sort of external amplifier with my Sony MDR-CD3000 or Sony MDR-7506 headphones, for example. Measurements confirm proper operation under the respective loads on my portable audio equipment. Using an external amplifier for these headphones is usually redundant. However, I do have to use an amplifier for the AKG K 340 headphone. This headphone requires high voltage compared to most other headphones. In fact, I had to use an add-on battery holder in order to supply the amp with enough voltage to prevent voltage limited clipping distortion on some very dynamic musical program material. Here are some pictures[provided for the purpose of social interaction in this thread. ]:

-Chris

 

[Sleestack]

For some reason I just flashed back to Monopoly...

That's a really nice amp. Though for my purposes, overkill. Anyone know of an inexpensive, compact DAC? And I mean college student inexpensive, not your version of inexpensive Sleestack...

Check out Headroom and some of their portable offerings. USB connectivity/DAC/headphone amp combos. Might be what you are looking for.

When it comes to headphones, I really prefer tube amps. The Singlepower amps are my favorite, particularly with a balanced out/headphone cable. You really have to hear one of Mikhail's amps to appreciate how great they are, especially for jazz and female vocals. Maybe I can arrange something so that you can borrow my single ended Singlepower MPX3 for a few weeks when my Maestro XLR comes in. I can trust you with a $2500 heaphone amp can't I?

 

[jaxvon]

Maybe I can arrange something so that you can borrow my single ended Singlepower MPX3 for a few weeks when my Maestro XLR comes in. I can trust you with a $2500 heaphone amp can't I?

If this was directed at me, yes you could. If it wasn't...can I try?

WmAx, yes I still use the Sony phones. The problem is, when I want to listen to my CDs I've ripped to my laptop, the headphone out jack is unbearable. Sure it has plenty of power to drive my cans (like you said, efficient), but the noise on it is terrible. The analog section is such crap. Thus, I want to get an external DAC and amp so I can really enjoy my headphones. I really heard what they were capable of the other day when I hooked them up to an old Yamaha CR-1020 receiver (70's goodness). INCREDIBLE! Much cleaner, almost no noise, and just a "tighter" sound. I don't need a monster headphone amp like Sleestack's, but I do need something that isn't full of noise.

 

[Sleestack]

If this was directed at me, yes you could. If it wasn't...can I try?

WmAx, yes I still use the Sony phones. The problem is, when I want to listen to my CDs I've ripped to my laptop, the headphone out jack is unbearable. Sure it has plenty of power to drive my cans (like you said, efficient), but the noise on it is terrible. The analog section is such crap. Thus, I want to get an external DAC and amp so I can really enjoy my headphones. I really heard what they were capable of the other day when I hooked them up to an old Yamaha CR-1020 receiver (70's goodness). INCREDIBLE! Much cleaner, almost no noise, and just a "tighter" sound. I don't need a monster headphone amp like Sleestack's, but I do need something that isn't full of noise.

You don't need to spend a lot to get a good solid state headphone amp that will drive most heaphones. Some people don't even like tube amps, but I think when you hear the MPX3, you will understand why I do... so yes, it was directed at you. I'm getting my Maestro in 3-4 weeks. If you are interested, you can live with my MPX3 for a few weeks.

You need a USB out DAC/Headphone amp. There are plenty of cheap alternatives. You could take a look at Headroom's Bithead line or something as simple as M-Audio's Audiophile USB, which would allow you to use its DAC or go SPDIF to an external DAC.

 

[WmAx]

If this was directed at me, yes you could. If it wasn't...can I try?

WmAx, yes I still use the Sony phones. The problem is, when I want to listen to my CDs I've ripped to my laptop, the headphone out jack is unbearable. Sure it has plenty of power to drive my cans (like you said, efficient), but the noise on it is terrible. The analog section is such crap. Thus, I want to get an external DAC and amp so I can really enjoy my headphones. I really heard what they were capable of the other day when I hooked them up to an old Yamaha CR-1020 receiver (70's goodness). INCREDIBLE! Much cleaner, almost no noise, and just a "tighter" sound. I don't need a monster headphone amp like Sleestack's, but I do need something that isn't full of noise.

Why don't you get a nice card for the laptop? Just pop in your free slot and enjoy. The finest quality laptop soundcard[which has a built in headphone amp] is the Echo Indigo IO:

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

The Creative Sounblaster Audigy II notebook card is another possibility[just remember that Creative's drivers are bloatware], and it's the lowest cost solution of the three I present in this post:

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=10769

If you prefer a USB stand along alternative, consider the all-in-one Meier Audio Porta Corda MkIII-USB headphone amplifier[it's not just a USB DAC, it's also a dedicated/stand-alone headphone amplifier with analog input also]:

http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/

You can buy it from a U.S. distributor, here:

http://www.toddthevinyljunkie.com/products/product.php?id=675

-Chris

 

[jaxvon]

Thanks again Chris. I won't even consider Creative. I can't STAND their software garbage. I try to run a clean, lean system. As for the other options, they're both expensive, but darn good looking. For some reaon I still like the idea of a USB DAC and a separate amp. No good reason mind you, but it's stuck in my head.

 

[SilverMK3]

Thanks again Chris. I won't even consider Creative. I can't STAND their software garbage. I try to run a clean, lean system. As for the other options, they're both expensive, but darn good looking. For some reaon I still like the idea of a USB DAC and a separate amp. No good reason mind you, but it's stuck in my head.

I totally agree with you there about the Creative thing. I've got an M-Audio Transit USB plugged into my computer at work, I couldn't be happier with it. I can't wait to try it out w/ my new amp.