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Originally Posted by eddystoner /img/forum/go_quote.gif
A really a horrible headphone unamped will sound horrible even with a amp. So i agree with the comment that the souce or headphone give greater results. Without a good source or headphone an amp is a waste of money. I lean more toward having a better headphone than souce when talking about DAP's. This is just my experience....
I would also say this was a catch 22 .
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This isn't always true. The AKG K1000 are unique headphones that require LOTS of power and so more modest amps simply can't give them the juice they require to sound decent. Therefore, if one listens with an under performing amp, these $1200 phones are going to sound like rubbish and one will wonder why they get just accolades. Similarly, the Grado HP-1000's can sound rather dull and lifeless without an amp that provides quite a bit of current. Of all the dynamic headphones around, the HP-1000's are said to require the most current to perform. Therefore, again, if the amp is under performing, one won't get all these headphones are capable of.
It's not a black and white situation, but common sense does play a role. If something needs < 2mW to work, and an amp provides 5+ with ample current, then really, is an amp necessary? Perhaps for flavouring...perhaps for greater control over the volume range and perhaps to lower the noise floor, but overall the phones should be powered well enough.
Too many people speak in hyperbole on this site. I'm sure I'm guilty of that at one time or another as well. The key will be to understand that everything comes in grades.
For most people, SS amps will sound the same. IF one isn't familiar with certain sonic traits, they may miss them on first or 100th listen. For someone looking, the added benefits of one over the other might be such that the person is willing to pay large for those subtle but audible differences. More accurate imaging, wider soundstage, more clairity etc.
One excellent example of moderation is the site Good Cans (
www.goodcans.com) They are big Grado fans and they have reviews of most of the phones in the line-up. They once remarked that the SR60's are 85% of the RS-1's. (this and the hot rating by Headroom pushed me over the edge in my decision to buy SR60's back in '97). Now, are the SR60's 85% of the RS-1's? Maybe even 90's? There is a good chance that a whole lotta people would think they might be closer to 100% on first listen. On second listen they may notice that indeed the soundstage is quite a bit larger with the RS-1's, the treble is more controled, there is more resolution across the board and the tone and timbre of instruments is more bang on. But these are subtleties that only those willing to go right after and spend the cash for, will perhaps want or require. Perhaps for others, they won't notice the difference without better equipment that can offer the RS-1's the extra to display.
It's like listening to two performances of the same piece. To an untrained ear, one might remark they sound the same. It is after all, the same music being heard. But to someone who is familiar with classical, one might note that there is quite a difference between conductors let alone full orchestras. A von Karajan conducted piece will sound markedly different than a Ozawa piece to those that are capable of recognizing the differences in styles, even if these two folks were conducting the same orchestra and even though Ozawa trained under von Karajan. So is the difference dramatic or not? To some they would argue yes, but really it is more subtle than that, but the grades one places on those subtleties could mean a world of difference. The same can be said for wine...cigars...cuisine...practically everythnig once someone knows what to look for.
With amps it becomes tricky as many feel in the world of headphone audio, of the big three: source, amp and headphones, the amp plays the least significant role. Others don't feel that, and still others would argue it depends on whether it is tube and ss. The safest bet then for an onlooker who can't afford to test out everything or venture out to a meet, is to read longer term and note the consensus, note any issues with the amps, note the other components folks use, note their listening preferences and also try to find out their own experience. This makes buying a little safer.
