New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Iphone amp, cable question!

post #1 of 9
8/15/10 at 10:00am
Thread Starter 
Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum and I'm learning a lot and I have researched this here but haven't found a direct answer.

My headphones are Audio-Technica M50's.

I have an Iphone 3GS, Iphone 4 and an Ipad, I mostly use the Iphones as my portable audio source, rarely the ipad...

I recently bought in this forum a Headroom Total Bithead, WHICH I CONNECT TO THE IPODS VIA LINE OUT HEADPHONE JACK (no fancy cables yet ), but I have found that this amp can NOT drive my M50's at higher volumes, the Bithead has a red light indicating clipping, well, after, say, 70% volume, the amp clips non stop, I listen to a lot of urban music, like hip-hop, reggaetton, lounge, salsa, pop music, etc...

I HAVE BEEN OFFERED AN RSA P-51 MUSTANG, SHOULD I BUY IT?? Would it be MUCH BETTER than the total Bithead??

Also, guys, I know connecting the amp through the iphone headphone jack is not ideal to say the least... :D

Would you please recommend a good set up for my iphone, to make the most out of my M50's?

Which cable and amp should I have?

Thank you for time! :)
Reply
post #2 of 9
8/15/10 at 4:17pm

Just get some silver teflon wire from John's silver teflon wire store. http://cgi.ebay.com/25-26-AWG-Shielded-Silver-Teflon-Wire-2-Twisted-19-str-/230507120775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_500wt_1154

 

Then get a LOD and a switchcraft plug:

 

http://www.qables.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=746&zenid=8c55d23fed18d19a4daedef4e1fe24c3

http://www.audioadapter.com/Switchcraft-Mini-Connectors.html

 

Maybe some 1/8th tech flex nylon mutli and you're done for a cable. Don't let anyone sell you a costly LOD, they're a waste of money like all audiophile cables. If you don't know how to solder, learn now, it'll save you more money than you know. Build a mini^3 for an amp.

 

Well there's a little more to it than that but you can google it. Point is this: DIY=Save money (sometimes). At least with cables, because you can build yourself a cable that's just as robust as any audiophile cable, sounds just as good, for about 2% of the price.


Edited by Cymbal Monkey - 8/15/10 at 4:23pm
Reply
post #3 of 9
8/15/10 at 4:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kdarcia007 View Post

I recently bought in this forum a Headroom Total Bithead, WHICH I CONNECT TO THE IPODS VIA LINE OUT HEADPHONE JACK (no fancy cables yet ), but I have found that this amp can NOT drive my M50's at higher volumes, the Bithead has a red light indicating clipping, well, after, say, 70% volume, the amp clips non stop,


As you probably already know, the problem is with connecting your amp to the headphone jack. The iPod/iPhone headphone jack is already being amplified (and not very well) and attenuated before it reaches your amp. You need a line out device (LOD) to bypass that for a cleaner audio signal to avoid the distortion and clipping that you are now getting.

 

In the meantime, keep the iPod's internal volume below 70% (or the max safe level it can reach without clipping) and adjust your amp to control volume to your headphones.

Reply
post #4 of 9
8/15/10 at 7:37pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info bud, I have kept the iphone at a volume where it doesn't clip the amp, but then the bithead just lacks that "punch" I like so much, I would like my M50's to be driven loud without clipping the amp all the time.

Should I get the P-51 Mustang I'm being offered??... I believe the mustang should have A LOT more power than the bithead, am I right?

Any place I can a ready made LOD for a reasonable price?
Reply
post #5 of 9
8/15/10 at 8:16pm

I don't know much about the BitHead or Mustang myself. Most amps should be able to easily drive the M50s though. I have a FiiO E1 and it is enough for me on my iPod with the M50s, and the E1/E5 amps are pretty much the least powerful amps out there. So I doubt the Bithead is the problem. Try it with a LOD first. Unless you're tight on time or something. Can't really help you on Bithead vs Mustang though. Maybe try the portable amps forum.

 

You can get LODs from Amazon at reasonable prices. FiiO L1 or L3 are two examples. (No, I'm not affiliated with them, lol.) I DIY'd my own LOD for fun.

Reply
post #6 of 9
8/15/10 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I was looking at both, are they reasonably well made?, they're like $10!
Reply
post #7 of 9
8/15/10 at 9:51pm

The L3 looks sturdier to me. But I have not tried either one as I built my own LOD. Can't really go wrong at those prices though.

 

I do have an E1 however, which is an LOD + amp + remote control combined into one. And it's worked nicely ever since I got it a couple months ago.

Reply
post #8 of 9
8/15/10 at 10:37pm
Thread Starter 
I just bought the L3! :), and I bought it because as you mentioned, it looks sturdier.

Now I have to decide wether to simply keep my total bithead or buy that sweet looking P-51... I don't know what do to do, I have the money for the P-51, but will the sound be 3X better that with the Bithead???...

I mostly use my Iphone as the source, and as I understand it, the Total Bithead makes a lot of sense if you ARE gonna pair it with a computer, not so much for ipod's or iphones. And I never use my laptop for music listening...


ADVISE PLEASE :(
Reply
post #9 of 9
8/15/10 at 10:39pm
Thread Starter 
Did I just kind of replied to my own question?!? LOL!!
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home