Advice on HD600 amp, will it make a difference?

[ralexander]

Hello,
I sit in from of a computer all day and at night when moonlighting. I am a printed circuit board designer by trade (if anyone ever needs any board layout done, contact me). I listen to music while working but at very low levels. I have a pair of Senn. HD600's and a 10ft. Cardas cable. I am wondering if an amplifier would provide better sound at low volume levels. I listen at very low levels because I work in an office with other people and it would disctract me at louder levels. Would an amplifier provide noticably better sound? If so, what recommendations do you guys and girls have? It doesn't have to be portable necessarily. Any advice would be appreciated. I am willing to buy used or new and don't really want to spend more than a couple of hundred dollars. Would spend more later if I hear a real difference.

Thanks!

Roger

 

[jmzzz01]

I'm a designer also (not pcb's), and spend my days in front of a couple of computers, even use the same cans as you. I think that if you are using the computer for your source, the amp won't provide any improvement. It is, at best, amplifying the output of the source and if that output is mediocre, then it's going to provide more volume to a mediocre sound. Worst case is a poor amp which will further color or degrade the already mediocre source output. If you are thinking of having a dedicated source (CD player, etc.) then you will realize the benefit of a nice amp. It's the old computer adage "garbage in, garbage out". I have compared the quality of CD playback of the computer to my cheap desk system and the computer loses quite noticably, and I don't like the desk system either. I have just this past week received the XP-7 I bought from Ray Samuels Audio, and am now in the process of selecting a source to feed it. It finally dawned on me that I have a beautiful audio system at home that I listen to for maybe a couple hours each night if i"m lucky, and yet I listen all day to a piece of junk. So I've decided to build something a little more appropriate for my daytime listening. I have a space consideration though, because I work in an area where lots of people have access, and don't want to come in one morning and find something missing. The XP-7 is small enough to fit easily into a locking drawer, and I'm looking for a source that will do the same, although not a portable CD player.
I guess what I'm saying is that if you want decent sound, you will not get it from your work computer's cd drive, with or without an amp. I hope this helps - and sorry about your wallet. - Jim

 

[ralexander]

Jim,
I use a portable CD player for a source and have been thinking about buying an MP3 player. I would never use the computer as a source, at least not if I don't have to. A pair of HD600's with a Cardas cable would be a terrible waste on the output of a PC. I just recently purchased a new CD player since my Rio SP250 died. I have been thinking about buying an MP3 player and have been making my MP3's at the highest quality using variable bit rate with Itunes. I haven't decided between the IPOD or the Iriver. I have read many posts concerning MP3 players and these seem to be the two that are the most popular or recommended. Any advice on an amplifier, MP3 player and a good encoder and the appropriate settings would be appreciated. I'm asking for alot aren't I! I have read many posts and have learned alot but I really want to know if I will hear a real difference at low volume levels and if so, what amplifer would be a good amp for low volume level listening.

Thanks again,

Roger

 

[NightWoundsTime]

Sounds like you need an AOS PPA & DAC. http://aoselectronics.com/

Pick up a portable with a digital out and you'll be set. 600's are very amp dependant, and each upgrade in power will bring more life to them.

 

[boodi]

there's a Rega Ear on the sale forum , hint hint hint it will go fast

 

[jmzzz01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralexander Jim, I use a portable CD player for a source and have been thinking about buying an MP3 player. I would never use the computer as a source, at least not if I don't have to. A pair of HD600's with a Cardas cable would be a terrible waste on the output of a PC. I just recently purchased a new CD player since my Rio SP250 died. I have been thinking about buying an MP3 player and have been making my MP3's at the highest quality using variable bit rate with Itunes. I haven't decided between the IPOD or the Iriver. I have read many posts concerning MP3 players and these seem to be the two that are the most popular or recommended. Any advice on an amplifier, MP3 player and a good encoder and the appropriate settings would be appreciated.

Ah! I shouldn't have assumed that - I just didn't know what source you were using. I have almost zero experience with MP3 players - I've only heard one (iPod mini that my girlfriend's daughter owns) and I wasn't impressed. I will say, however, that the writing is on the wall and that this IS the future of recorded music and those 5" discs will be used only to move music files mechanically. I don't think we're quite there yet, but the day is coming. There are many others here that will be able to answer the MP3 part of the question.
What I would suggest is to aquire your source and become accustomed to it's sound for a few weeks or so. In the meantime, you could look to see if a headphone meet is being held near you and plan to attend. Even if you have to drive a couple hours, it's worth it. If not, maybe you could find someone here that lives nearby so that you could try your rig with their amp(s). Being accustomed to the player by then, you will be able to detect quickly whether there is a difference at your prefered listening level. The meets are a blast, you get to meet some of the people that post here and share your interest, and, best of all, you will get to try LOTS of amps and sources and really come away with valuable, first hand info.
Asking for opinions is helpful, but ultimately you are making a guess based on concensus - not always the best way to spend your money.
A good amp will provide the best presentation of the sound it's being fed, and not color or shape it. You will want to find a source that has a dedicated line out - whether it's a mini plug or RCA's - otherwise, again, you will simply be amplifying the same sound that you get when you plug directly into the player. Good luck in your search - this is the most fun part!

 

[boodi]

mmm
i can imagine
portable + porta corda + hd600
as a best portable chain for the money

but i wouldn't put hd600 out of a portable

 

[ralexander]

A headphone meet...that's a good idea. I hadn't thought of that . I will have to look in my area. Boodi, why wouldn't you use HD600's on a portable rig?

Roger

 

[tyrion]

XP-7 is an excellent choice. I used it with my 650's for a while and was very happy and it's battery powered. I have not heard the sr-71 but it is supposed to be excellent as well.

 

[tennisets]

I'm not exactly an expert on this since I don't use my computer as a source, but wouldn't just buying (and installing of course) a Chaintech AV-710 improve the sound substantially, and also provide a much better output for an amp than the existing PCDP mentioned earlier, or, for that matter, a DAP? Just a thought.

Also, jmzzzo1: The future of recorded music is most certainly NOT (solely) mp3. First of all, that would require the music being recorded to be converted right there in the studio to mp3, adding yet another hurdle in the recording process. Music already has to be initially converted from analog to digital. Second, even music labels know that mp3 is far inferior to CD, and recording studios definitely know that. mp3 is not an "original" format, as in the mp3 is not everything that was recorded, it's missing some things. I just don't think that mp3 as an original medium would really work. It may work alongside CD (look at iTunes, etc.), but would fall apart if it had to stand on its own two feet. All IMO.

BTW, have you thought about buying an NEC cd-rom as a transport and buying an external DAC jmzzz01?

 

[doug zdanivsky]

Quote:

Would an amplifier provide noticably better sound?

Yes..

The 600's unamped have no "punch".. Very listless.. With an amp they really come to life, and you don't need huge volume to get the benefit..

It doesn't exactly change the quality of the sound.. Just adds that extra oomph so that you can hear what you're missing without an amp..

I've listened to the 600's both ways (un-amped, amped), and the 600's were already broken in (I bought them used).. And that is my assessment..

 

[Kirosia]

Remember, source first. Garbage in, garbage out.

 

[ralexander]

Well, my source is a $70 Panasonic CD player. I am willing to buy a different source but do I need a portable CD player that has a good DAC or do I need to purchase a CD player with a Digital out and buy an outboard DAC also? Any suggestions on a good source that won't break the bank? As I have said, this is for work and I would like for it to be portable. I usually take my gear home but I could buy a set-top CD player for my desk. I could buy an integrated amp as well as far as that goes. I figure that if I'm going to put money into gear, why not make it portable gear. I know that there is a price premium for portable gear and sacrifices.

Thanks again,

Roger

 

[Kirosia]

If you get a vintage pcdp with a good headphone out (i.e. sony D-211) you wouldn't even really need an amp. I used it my with my dt880s, and it was really good, much better than any portable source I've tried. (Of course there are better ones) Cost me $60 used. Get some rechargeables, and you're set. Of there are many other options. If you use a computer for music, check out the comp-as-source forum.

 

[tennisets]

As I said, it would be worth looking into putting your music on the computer and getting a better soundcard. Like the Chaintech AV-710 (~$25) if you can install a new card in your computer, or an external card if you can't (don't know much about these, sorry). By all accounts soundcards can whoop dedicated CDPs in the same price range (I think?), so this might be worth looking into.