Portable Headphone Amp for a set of Sennheiser cans

[Explodicide]

A friend of mine is thinking of getting his first pair of decent headphones after hearing what my Bose Triports were capable of. After reading some reviews he's thinking about going with the Sennheiser HMD-280 Pro's (he games, so the mic is a bonus). I'm trying to think of what to get him for Christmas, and I figure that his wimpy little iPod-shuffle (the new tiny one) MIGHT not have the juice to push a decent set of cans very well. Plus, his only computer is a laptop, and I doubt the capacity of the soundcard.

I'm thinking about buying either a portable Boostaroo or one of the CMoy versions. The Boostaroo is appealing, because it was sold by ThinkGeek for a while, and I trust them not to sell garbage. The CMoy variations, however, have gotten some better reviews on a few websites.

Any thoughts / recommendations? Is a headphone amp going to pull any better sound out of his tiny iPod if used with a bigger set of cans, or is it just hype?

 

[WmAx]

A friend of mine is thinking of getting his first pair of decent headphones after hearing what my Bose Triports were capable of. After reading some reviews he's thinking about going with the Sennheiser HMD-280 Pro's (he games, so the mic is a bonus).

The MDR-7506 is superior in every way (build and sound linearity). The 7506 needs no amplifier - it is efficient enough to work from most portable sources.

I'm thinking about buying either a portable Boostaroo or one of the CMoy versions. The Boostaroo is appealing, because it was sold by ThinkGeek for a while, and I trust them not to sell garbage. The CMoy variations, however, have gotten some better reviews on a few websites.

In fact, the original Boostaroo is garbage( I am not sure if they have some new model that is different now). It can't actually amplify in any meaningful way. It runs on low voltage, and is unable to provide real voltage gain of any significance over what the source device can provide. All it can do is increase volume a quiet source, where you never were in danger of approaching a voltage limited clip point even on the original source device. If you actually try to use it as an amplifier to increase voltage over what is available from the output maximum of your portable device, clipping will result. A CMOY runs on higher voltage, and is thus able to provide real voltage gain over what the source device can provide. If you get a CMOY, make sure it uses an opamp with high current output capability designed to directly drive headphones or otherwise uses a current buffer output stage. It seems many of the CMOY units use OP AMPS not suited to the duty of driving a low impedance device such as a headphone.

-Chris

 

[Explodicide]

The MDR-7506 is superior in every way (build and sound linearity). The 7506 needs no amplifier - it is efficient enough to work from most portable sources.

Good to know. It's ALMOST in range of what I could spend on him for a Christmas gift too. It lacks a mic, tho... My second question was going to be for any recommendations on a good set of headphones for a casual user that just wants good quality sound, that might also include a microphone, under $120 preferrably.

In fact, the original Boostaroo is garbage( I am not sure if they have some new model that is different now). It can't actually amplify in any meaningful way. It runs on low voltage, and is unable to provide real voltage gain of any significance over what the source device can provide.

I kinda had a hunch that was going to be the response I'd get. 2AA's seemed a bit short to do the job.

I was also a bit suspicious that an amp wouldn't really be needed with the kind of headphones and application that he's looking at, and more and more, that seems to be the case. Well, I guess I'm back to looking for a gift for this guy again

Much thanks.