[Chadly]

I just got some Grado SR-125s. I love em'. Every where I read people say that the modern CD players are built cost effectively and they can't put out enough juice to drive audiophile quality headphones.... etc....

That brings me to my question: My SlimX, PC, and cheap discman all have more than enough power to drive my 125s. I am using them all at about half volume for a comfortable listening level. What benefits am I going to get by using a dedicated headphone amp? It seems like it is going to be a useless component if I'm not having any problems driving my phones.

Whats your guys' opinions?

Chad

 

[KR...]

Headphone amps are not only about just making your headphones sound louder.

Any old source and power amp can do that, even most crappy sound cards.

Headphone amps will improve the quality of the sound of your headphones. Nearly every headphone made will sound a lot better with a high quality headphone amp.

 

[slindeman]

I notice the difference an amp makes with my SlimX and such easy to drive headphones as Koss KSC-50 and Sennheiser MX400. The only reason I would choose to listen without a dedicated headphone amp is lack of funds or the necessity for ultra portability. That's my opinion anyway. I owned SR-125s for awhile and found that they do benefit from a headphone amp.

 

[recephasan]

I own the SR-125 and have the original RioVolt.
IMO, an amp will benefit the sound, but only marginally.

A good amp works best with a good source, the SlimX is not one, probably no portable is.

Would I get one? No. I'd save my money and get the following:
$100 for a transport
$170 for an ART DI/O + Stancor P/S
$100-$300 for an amp

I look back when I used my RA-1/RS-1 combo with my PCDP, I was grossly underutilizing the Headphone/Amp combo.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

Chadly
HI: A super mini amp sounds great and is the size of half a pack of cigarettes and half as thin. It will add better natural bass and overall better sound plus a lot more power.