Headphone amp with two inputs

[pcf]

Hi,

I am looking for some advice here-

I listen to my music at work using my ipod classic 160g with either a pair of Sennheiser HD650 or Grado RS80 vis a JDS Labs cMoy Bass Boost v2.00.

I am looking to upgrade my headphone amp soon. My problem is that I'm an animator and need to listen to dialog or music beat a lot of the time at work. The rest of the time I like to listen to my ipod. At the moment I switch headphones all the time- either using the Sennheiser or Grado for my music; or a pair of Sony MDR V6 for my dialog. It would be nice to have an amp that has two inputs or I can switch source rather that switching headphones!

The Shanling ph300 has got two analog inputs and has some good reviews.(I am interested in it partly because it's a tube amp.)
I don't know if there are others.
Another thing I can do is to get a Dac/amp and something like a itransport to take the digital signal out of my ipod and use the analog input for work.

I am thinking about spending between $400 to $1000.

I guess my Benchmark DAC1 will do the job but that is being used as my main cd source at home and I would like to have another amp that I can keep at work. ideally something cheaper than the DAC1.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

-Paul

[Zorander]

The Graham Slee Solo sports two sets of RCA input jacks. An input switch allows you to toggle between either input. However, if you are looking for an amp that mixes all analog signals coming into the amp, you need to look elsewhere.

Cheers!

[pcf]

Originally Posted by Zorander

The Graham Slee Solo sports two sets of RCA input jacks. An input switch allows you to toggle between either input. However, if you are looking for an amp that mixes all analog signals coming into the amp, you need to look elsewhere.

Cheers!

Thanks for the great reply!

I don't want to mix the analog signals at all- one input is for work and the other one is for pleasure.

I will look into the Graham Slee Solo. They sell it at MusicDirect, don't they?

Do you know how it performs compare to Benchmark Dac1 as a headphone amp? the Benchmark is my headphone amp at home as well as being the dac for my main system.

Thanks!

-Paul

[FallenAngel]

Why don't you just buy a good amp and use RCA splitters?

[Zorander]

Originally Posted by pcf

Thanks for the great reply!

I don't want to mix the analog signals at all- one input is for work and the other one is for pleasure.

I will look into the Graham Slee Solo. They sell it at MusicDirect, don't they?

Do you know how it performs compare to Benchmark Dac1 as a headphone amp? the Benchmark is my headphone amp at home as well as being the dac for my main system.

Thanks!

-Paul

I have not heard the DAC1 to be able to compare it to the Solo. The Solo, as many fellow owners will vouch, is a superb amp that is greatly resolving and honest, with control on the lower frequencies such that bass comes out alive, all the while taking up so little space on your desktop. Dynamics is said to be top-notch too.

I have owned mine for 2 years now and have no plans to replace it. I'm completely satisfied with its sonics and its small footprint is a boon for my small desktop space. I admit I have toyed with the idea of a balanced amp but their generally large footprint and investment cost mean this will not be happening anytime soon.

Cheers!

[Uncle Erik]

Use an A/B switch/input selector with the amp you like. You can get a decent one for $20 at Radio Shack. Might not have audiophile street cred, but it works.

[pcf]

I am reading all the posts about the Solo right now...

Hi FallenAngel,
will RCA splitters affect sound quality?
Are there any good ones that you would recommend that won't?

Thanks!

-Paul

[FallenAngel]

Originally Posted by pcf

I am reading all the posts about the Solo right now...

Hi FallenAngel,
will RCA splitters affect sound quality?
Are there any good ones that you would recommend that won't?

Thanks!

-Paul

I don't think they will affect sound quality enough to warrant buying an amp simply because it has multiple inputs.

As Uncle Eric suggests, a source selector is also an option.

[pcf]

Thanks for all your inputs!

I am planning to buy an extra amp for listening to music at work anyway whehter it has two inputs or not.

I will try the splitter or a source selector for now and look for a new amp at the same time. I find myself listening to music through my cmoy at work a lot more than listening to my main system at home (PC or a Meridian 500 transport / Benchmark DAC1 to Senn HD650 or Tube Technology pre/mono blocks/Proac D25). That's why I am looking to buy another amp. The Graham Slee Solo does sound interesting. I was reading all the comments about that amp last night and also the new MF x can. They both happen to be British amps. I just wondering if it is cheaper to buy them in England? (I need to do some research.) I will be in London for Christmas so maybe I can pick something up if they are indeed cheaper (or if I can wait that long?)

Thanks again!

-Paul

[silverrain]

The HeadRoom Desktop amp has two switch-able inputs -- I use mine all the time like that -- takes 1 second to switch input source used.

It also has two differnet-sized headphone jacks, 1/4 and 1/8, for maximum headphone versatility.

Also has other switch-able features, too.