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So, are intergratted amps the 'new' flavor of the month?

post #1 of 35
8/28/08 at 12:53am
Thread Starter 
I actually bought my Receiver to get HD audio with speakers, but I been pleasntly impressed with the performance with headphones, especially with a all digital connection & lossless audio files with my PS3.. I do know it has multiple huge power supplies.. The craftsmanship looks very clean..
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post #2 of 35
8/28/08 at 12:56am
Thread Starter 
Since Yamaha takes so much pride in their SC technology through headphones, it would make sense that they treat the headphone out as more then just an after though..
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post #3 of 35
8/28/08 at 3:36am
Integrateds could be the new Flavour Of The Month. Depends on how open minded posters here turn out to be.

Meantime we'll add your receiver to the growing list of good-sounding models.
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post #4 of 35
8/28/08 at 3:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pp312 View Post
Integrateds could be the new Flavour Of The Month. Depends on how open minded posters here turn out to be.

Meantime we'll add your receiver to the growing list of good-sounding models.
Thank you. I just wish there was a list of relic receivers that are uniquivickly.. Or however it's spelled.. good with headphones.
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post #5 of 35
8/28/08 at 11:53am
Wow! I'm so far out that I am "in" again! Go Team OAF!
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post #6 of 35
8/28/08 at 12:28pm
Maybe! They sure looks to be popular these days...
I just bought one myself, a Red Wine Audio Signature 30.2, to be mainly used with the AKG K1000.
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post #7 of 35
8/28/08 at 1:37pm
My favourite integrated to date is the TEAC A-H500. Nice size, great sound and an excellent headphone stage. In fact, it's the best headphone stage on a non headamp specific component I've yet heard save for the Tandberg 3018A Preamplifier.
The A-H500 can drive 4 ohm speakers at 80 watts per channel and 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms. It's a beefy little amp.
This would be the ideal small amp/headamp for a student dorm or small office.

While not found on any street corner, they do come up on Ebay fairly regularly for $200 or so. Well worth the investment.
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post #8 of 35
8/28/08 at 2:27pm
I wouldn't hold my breath on anything as simple as plugging into your existing integrated or receiver becoming the FOTM here in spendyland. You'll turn blue. But at least some old myths that just assumed they all sucked have been broken and some people are plugging in and listening with open ears and minds. It's all good...if it sounds good.

Tim
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post #9 of 35
8/28/08 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tfarney View Post
I wouldn't hold my breath on anything as simple as plugging into your existing integrated or receiver becoming the FOTM here in spendyland.
Probably true!
But one thing for sure, integrated amplifiers (especially old vintage ones) get quite some love around here these days. Probably for a reason, since they seem to sell for reasonable money and are well made.

While others like me went for a brand spanking new integrated amplifier.
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post #10 of 35
8/28/08 at 3:36pm
I sure hope integrated amps become the new FOTM. I think the emphasis on dedicated Headphone Amps (full-size) in this forum is a bit over the top.
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post #11 of 35
8/28/08 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Headphony View Post
I sure hope integrated amps become the new FOTM. I think the emphasis on dedicated Headphone Amps (full-size) in this forum is a bit over the top.
Receivers (especially vintage ones) are a good intermediate step between portables and dedicated headphone amps. The users here are trending younger, which means less disposable income, and many full-sized headphones are not driven adequately by portable amps.

There are a couple other benefits, too. One, people will get FM coverage. FM is underrated. All you need is a quality antenna (super simple DIY project under $15, by the way) and you get a source with free music. The other benefit is that most vintage receivers have a phono stage. One less thing to buy when you're getting into increasingly popular vinyl.

Still, there is a lot of value in dedicated headphone amps. Being able to run class A (most receivers are class AB), using a handful of premium parts, low output and highly linear tubes and chips, etc. all have sonic benefits.

As the population here ages and moves into career-level jobs, the market will open up for dedicated headphone amps. Hopefully, we'll get a new crop of top-end headphones, too.
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post #12 of 35
8/28/08 at 4:15pm
.
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post #13 of 35
8/28/08 at 5:29pm
Interesting thoughts there Uncle although I think you may be seriously underestimating the disposable income of this generation of kids.
Usually along with the careers people also get mortgages, bills etc..
Crikey, I know I do.
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post #14 of 35
8/28/08 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IceClass View Post
Interesting thoughts there Uncle although I think you may be seriously underestimating the disposable income of this generation of kids.
Usually along with the careers people also get mortgages, bills etc..
Crikey, I know I do.
And wives
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post #15 of 35
8/28/08 at 6:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IceClass View Post
Interesting thoughts there Uncle although I think you may be seriously underestimating the disposable income of this generation of kids.
I think you mean overestimating.

Anyways, the whole integrated 1-box thing can be a nice place to start, and holds some gems, BUT there is too much variability from brand to brand and different models within the brands for there to be a REALLY consistent trend. The stuff that will have the truly exceptional headphone outputs most likely has everything else built to a similar standard. Buying this gear is either a once in a lifetime deal or in the budget range that puts you back to buying a nice headphone amplifier which will likely provide better documented performance.

If you know what to look out for the deals in "one box stereos" can be very good, but its a hobby all of its own really.
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