Amp recommendations for MDR-V6

[bil]

What I am looking for are schematic suggestions for a home amp for my MDR-V6 headphones. The source will be a computer line out from a SB Live.

I don't want the design to be overly complex but should I do run into a snag I can ask my brother (EE Major) for assistance.

Thanks

-Bill

 

[JMT]

bil,

There are a ton of projects and schematics at HeadWize. One that I would recommend would be the stock Cmoy amp. A very simple first build with a high first time success rate.

HeadWize Projects

Good luck and have fun.

 

[ppl]

I use Both the MDR-V6 & MDR-7506 alot and with alot of Different amps. These headphones are rather sensitive to the Amp Driving them. Thay require an amp to have a low output Impedance, and lots of Current. Otherwise the Bass gets two Loose and at times Boomy with less than perfect amps. I also use grado-SR60 and Amps that work well with the SR-60 also work with the Sony's This requires an Amp that uses a Buffer between the Opamp and Headphones. I would not use just a C-MOY amp for these Cans. go with Apheareds latest 47 varrient as postted elcewhare.

 

[BentValve]

I am looking to build an amp for my MDR-7506 as well. What are a few of the current projects that will work well?

I am considering Pete Millet's Hybrid amp because it looks like a fairly easy project and costs around $100 to build.

 

[PeterR]

The V6/7506 invariably come up when people talk about phones that don't need an amp. While they work reasonably well without one, they really benefit enormously if they're driven by a good amp. I think most of their bloated bass reputation is the result of inadequate amplification. I have built a Zen type SE Class A amplifier similar to Marcello Pellerano's project at headwize (but with the coupling caps in the feedback loop, configured for less gain and more bandwith. Oh, and it's battery powered

). This amp really pushes them to a quality I wouldn't have expected.
It's certainly more difficult to build than a CMoy, but not too complex. With some patience and a little help from your brother this shouldn't be impossible even for a beginner...

 

[BentValve]

Thanks Peter, that project looks fairly intimidating to build since there are not alot of instructions with it.

I should probably point out that I dont need portability , good looks and size is not an issue.

 

[PeterR]

Well, portable it certainly isn't (with 3kg of batteries), and beauty is in the eye of the beholder (see below)
It's no connect-the-dots project like a META, and you won't build it in one evening, but with maybe two dozen parts per channel + power supply it's not as complex as it may look at first glance...

 

[JMT]

Damn Peter, I think that looks beautiful. Nice casework.

 

[BentValve]

That is very nice Peter, I would not have a clue how to
mod that amp at all. What could i expect if I just built the amp as it is here?...
http://headwize2.powerpill.org/proje...lerano_prj.htm

Or do you have some instructions on how to build one like yours located somewhere on the web?

 

[BentValve]

Peter, since you also own the MDR-V6s , do you think it would be a waste of energy to try a Cmoy amp?

 

[PeterR]

Quote:

Originally posted by BentValve That is very nice Peter, I would not have a clue how to mod that amp at all. What could i expect if I just built the amp as it is here?... http://headwize2.powerpill.org/proje...lerano_prj.htm Or do you have some instructions on how to build one like yours located somewhere on the web?

There's nothing on the web (you could search for my old post at Headwize, though), but I could give you my schematics, of course. I'm sure the amp like Marcello built it is great (and it really should be very similar, after all that's what mine is based on). He configured his amp however for a somewhat limited treble response to tame his Grados, which I feel isn't necesary for the Sonys (he also added an equalizer circuit on top of that which you don't need either), but that's easy to change.

 

[PeterR]

Quote:

Originally posted by BentValve Peter, since you also own the MDR-V6s , do you think it would be a waste of energy to try a Cmoy amp?

Well, I have the 7506s (no stinkin' consumer V6s

*), but I don't have a CMoy...
As a CMoy is basically just an opamp with 2 resistors to set the gain, I guess everything depends on the chip you use. If you use a beefy opamp and a proper PS, I don't see why it shouldn't work quite well. You probably shouldn't expect nirvana, but I'm sure it would be a great project to get started with building amps.


-----
*and yes, I know they're the same

 

[CaptBubba]

Quote:

Originally posted by BentValve Peter, since you also own the MDR-V6s , do you think it would be a waste of energy to try a Cmoy amp?

No, it wouldn't be; in fact it is a good starting point. The cmoy is easy to make, and sounds good, allthough not as good as some other things may.

This is a personal preference, but I really liked the way the V6 and gained Szekeres sounded. The only problem is that the power supply is crucial.

 

[stereth]

Quote:

go with Apheareds latest 47 varrient as postted elcewhare.

Interesting. I'll have to put "A47" on my list of amps to build. (The Pete Millet amp is also on that list, with a Gilmore somewhere at the bottom.) For the last couple of weeks I've been listening to my V6s through an, um, A42 Jung multiloop amp. Sounds wonderful; it really gives a nice kick to the deep bass. It's clean and full bass, lower than I've ever heard in my (albeit limited) experience with headphones.

I'm a computer engineering major, just finished my first year, and I recommend starting with a cmoy. It gives you some good experience with schematics, soldering, testing, layout, and wiring. And the whole thing can cost less than $20. It's nice to show off too, if you put it in an Altoids tin. Besides, if you start with a perfect amp, you'll never learn what to listen for

 

[Vidda]

Could someone give a link to the Cmoy? I looked on HeadWize but I couldn't find anything. It must be an abbreviation. It's not that 1st "Class A MOSFET" is it?