Just wondering what a decent headphone amp really does to improve the sound. I hear alot how it gives more juice to the headphones and how the standered headphone jacks are crap. But does a headphone amp really do anything more then just give you clean sound.

Clean sound is nice, no one likes a hiss, but there has to be a point where you need to have some super ears to really notice the difference, or maybe not have super ears to just notice, but to care for that matter. I love to hear my music without any weird noises but then again, I like to add extra bass and treble and costumize the sound to my taste. In a few threads, I got the impression that alot of people here don't like to add or really tweak the sound, they just was clean clear sound, like the recording is ment to send. Hell not me, sometimes I get a CD and wish it had more of an umph to it, so I start going at it with the bass and super bass and loudness gain controls.

So, again, can anyone really describe for me what headphone amps do as far as improving sound quality. Cuz I'm am thinking about purchasing one, how can you not be thinking about one with all the subliminal messages about them that I know is going on here. Every where you go here, it's headphone amp this and headphone amp that. You can't get away from it. So either this is one big hox to get into my wallot or theres something to these headphone amps that I'm just not getting. Kinda think it's that your all at my wallot thing, but no matter.

The main things I'm looking for is what does a good headphone amp do to the sound stage. Is it just improved clearity and maybe better original bass. I say original, cuz some songs simply lack it, and my reciever is more then happy to give it a smack or two and kick it up a notch with the treble.

Another thing, do headphone amps connect right to the reciever, that way the bass and treble and effects on the reciever play into the amp then headphones, or does the headphone amp completly bypass the reciever, just connects to the source (CD player) and headphones?

Ok well my thanks go out for anyone who replys to thread. Oh...This is a good thread to vent ur feeling on amps...just in case ur in that kinda mood.

- Christopher (aka CYM)

P.S

I'm starting to think Head-Fi is really just a cult that is targeting audiophiles for who knows why. After all, what other places have a "Hi-Fi Meet" just to "test" headphones, which so happens to be chocked full of subliminal messages fed to you by the "Man." In order to buy more headphones...see see, It's all making sence dosn't it. The "Man" is all behind this isnt he! Mr. CEO devil man out to fill his pockets. Booo Booo devil man booo.

lol...sorry, just venting.

Most people I talk to that aren't into headphones say "Why do headphones need an amp? Aren't they already loud enough?" I then point out that anything with a headphone jack has some form of a headphone amp behind it. And like the 1000W subwoofer amps they usually know about, some amps are better than others.

About equalization, first I say if you get an amp listen to it for a while without any equalization. Then, go back to your old equalization and you might find you like the sound better straight from the amp.

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Amen to that antness. That is true not only for headphones but for big rigs as well. That is why all the eq and processing settings are so popular on cheap home stereos and such. Because the straight up sound is so bad. When you get a decent source and a good amp in the loop, straight up is the way to go.

The main thing the amp will do is to very accurately control the drivers in the headphone. This is no easy task do to many laws of physics. Once you get something moving, it wants to keep moving in the same direction (frequency). A good amp will be able to start, stop, or change the motion to more closely match what's on the recording.

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It's a hobby. We tend to get passionate about our hobby, and we like to meet people with the same "passion" for the hobby. Head-Fi, like it or not, is a social gathering of people who share an interest that not too many people share. So people organize in-person get togethers to hang out with those and try equipment that they may be considering, or may never be able to hear other than at a "meet."

Is it cultish? Naaaaah. Sheepish would be more accurate.

I tried to be a professional musician for a while. (Late nights, lack of medical benefits and a shortage of talent conspired against me.) I got to spend quite a bit of time in the studio cutting demos as I have a very good friend who is a recording engineer and would welcome the opportunity to record and mix the band.

During mixdown, we would spend hours, sometimes days, trying to get the right sound. We would tweak every frequency, play with all the effects. Sometimes, we could improve the sound quite a bit, but many times we found that the original recording, just slightly teaked, sounded the best.

Now, think about all the professional musicians and recording engineers making the music we listen to. Imagine all the time they must spend getting the proper sound. If it's not in the mixdown, it's in the care they take in capturing the original recording. I'm not saying that to your ears the extra bass or treble doesn't sound good. You certainly have every right to tweak the music the way you want. All I'm saying is that I prefer to listen to the music the way the artisit must have intended.

Unfortunately, music is not something I can spend a lot of money on anymore. I actually got fed up with it for a little while because I couldn't afford good sound and because of my own frustrations trying to write. Now I've learned not to be so picky and by using a portable headphone amp I can get decent sound. Yes, I'm generally only listening to MP3s but by using the line out on my Archos Studio 10 and an Airhead amp connected to a pair of PortaPros, (hoping for those PX200s soon!) the sound is more than tolerable, and I'm enjoying music again. Would I spend more on an amp? Probably not until I can upgrade the other components as well.

I guess what I'm trying to say in a long winded way is, know what you like and know the limitations of your system and buy accordingly. I believe that there is a headphone amp for every application, whether it's $100 or $1000 and that good electronics will always improve sound. If your budget is unlimited you can literally spend your entire life (and your childrens' inheritence) upgrading your sound system.

And one other thing: keep your finger off that loudness button!

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You didn't finish your sentence.

Is it cultish? Naaaaah. Sheepish Baaaa would be more accurate..