Looking to get a headphone amp for Sennheisers 580's listen mainly to heavy metal. - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

hellish · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 02:21 PM

hi

Im considering getting a headphone amp but one that handles heavy metal well, my budget is about $300 US. Also I have a few questions:

1) how good do high-end headphones with headphone amps sound? I read at headroom that headphones tend to have "blobs" and do all headphone amps eliminate this problem?

2) what is the best type of cd player for a headphone amp is it a portable one?

3) do you need to get special cables for headphone amps or is the standard interconnect good enough?

thanks

milorca · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 05:33 PM

One of the best amp for a Senn HD580 is the Grado RA 1. I do have one for sale in a new condition. It also has a dual use because you can use it with batteries or you can plug into an electrical outlet. It is yours for $ 220 delivered to your place.
thanks....milorca
if interested send me an e-mail

tiberian · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 05:59 PM

gilmore lite, 299 usd.

Kirosia · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 06:16 PM

Portable sources can only be mediocre at best. If you can, get a good home deck or a soundcard.

As for needing special cables, I think generic or less-expensive interconnects will do until you start getting into upper Mid-fi/Hi-fi.

And if you want to rock for cheap, get some grados.

Born2bwire · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 06:20 PM

I second the Gilmore Lite. Since you're listening to heavy metal, you'll probably want to consider Grados in the future and the Gilmore would still be a fine match. The kind of CD player and interconnects depends on what you want to use it for (RCA for regular amps, minijacks for portable amps). For best sound quality, the normal standalone players are best, but you can still use a portable cd player and amp to make a decent portable rig. The blob isn't really reduced by amps (although the improved soundstage and reduced crosstalk help). Headroom is plugging their crossfeed circuit which try to replicate the delays and phase shifts to the sound that result when you use speakers. This helps remove the "blob" but it also dulls the sound some and (which you can compensate with a brightness switch that are on their amps as well) and reduces the soundstage. Some people like it, others don't. Meier Audio also builds amps with crossfeed circuits or you can build/buy your own to add into the signal path.

Iron_Dreamer · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiberian

gilmore lite, 299 usd.

What he said. Make sure you have a lively source to use the HD580 for metal.

oneeyedhobbit · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milorca

One of the best amp for a Senn HD580 is the Grado RA 1. I do have one for sale in a new condition. It also has a dual use because you can use it with batteries or you can plug into an electrical outlet. It is yours for $ 220 delivered to your place.
thanks....milorca
if interested send me an e-mail

Since this isn't in the for sale forum I believe I'm not violating any rights by saying this is hardly considered a top tier amp for Senns, much less many phones. The Gilmore lite would be the best recommendation, especially for rock.

DIY designs (a used PPA should be swingable at around $300) also fare well.