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New to this: What are amps?

post #1 of 29
1/20/09 at 10:55pm
Thread Starter 
Hello everybody, im really new to this, and in the recent day, i was wondering what amps are, are they required and what they do. If possible which is a good starter amp with my current iPod nano 2ndgen and my portapros(currently shipping).
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post #2 of 29
1/20/09 at 11:45pm
well what a amp does is it helps bring out the minute details and nuances in the music as well as for bigger or harder to drive cans providing more power to get the headphones up to normal listening volume. But the whole idea of amping is to expose detail in the music
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post #3 of 29
1/20/09 at 11:46pm
Also with portapros a amp is not necessary but as time goes on you will eventually upgrade everything and eventually get a amp. As always a amp will help but is not necessary to use those cans properly.
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post #4 of 29
1/21/09 at 12:42am
Headphone amps are boxes that you plug your headphones into and then they drain your wallet. If they are left unattended, they also tend to multiply...
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post #5 of 29
1/21/09 at 12:44am
Thread Starter 
thanks very much!
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post #6 of 29
1/21/09 at 12:49am
Here is what an amp is:
Quote:
Originally Posted by wiki
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is any device that changes, usually increases, the amplitude of a signal. The "signal" is usually voltage or current....read on
I wrote something about this some time ago, may be you'll be interested to have a read too, here.
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post #7 of 29
1/21/09 at 1:34am
Thread Starter 
Thank you very much. Well, is it still possible to use an amp with my portapros? Will it change anything majorly? Thanks for helping a new user.
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post #8 of 29
1/21/09 at 2:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeonPirateKing View Post
Thank you very much. Well, is it still possible to use an amp with my portapros? Will it change anything majorly? Thanks for helping a new user.
Amps don't do something majorly with portables unless you are tuned to hearing minute changes or need extra dbs. While an amp gives more dbs, it also pulls out the details in the music so less db is needed to hear it. A better amp offers better soundstage, better dynamics at lower volume and nice features like bass boost, crossfeed, high/low impedance switch.

Larger driver hps will benefit from an amp more than buds/iems.
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post #9 of 29
1/21/09 at 2:15am
Thread Starter 
I see, well it'll probably help because of me being a musician. Thanks. Can you recommend any that are relatively cheap and are of good quality?
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post #10 of 29
1/21/09 at 2:23am
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/r...mpared-214588/
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post #11 of 29
1/21/09 at 2:40am
Thread Starter 
Is there anything more affordable and good quality for a student? After all, it's my first time.
By the way, I'm using a Second Generation iPod nano, would that change the situation?
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post #12 of 29
1/21/09 at 2:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeonPirateKing View Post
Is there anything more affordable and good quality for a student? After all, it's my first time.
By the way, I'm using a Second Generation iPod nano, would that change the situation?
For start, what is your price range?
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post #13 of 29
1/21/09 at 3:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeonPirateKing View Post
Is there anything more affordable and good quality for a student? After all, it's my first time.
By the way, I'm using a Second Generation iPod nano, would that change the situation?
Not really. I have a 2nd gen iPod Nano and it sounds perfectly fine with my amps and headphones.

-HK sends
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post #14 of 29
1/21/09 at 4:02am
Thread Starter 
Well my price range is about under 30 dollars, because i only have a $100 gift card. I already spent 72.
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post #15 of 29
1/21/09 at 4:20am
a gift card? for a particular store?

the headphone amps discussed in this forum aren't particularly available in brick and mortar stores
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