Audio-Omega
Headphoneus Supremus
My old Harmon Kardon integrated amp didn't do much for my headphones, so I bought headphone amps for them and I have never looked back. Sound quality has certainly improved by a lot.
Originally Posted by Orcin /img/forum/go_quote.gif There are people who own one or the other and will argue their side. There are people who have only heard one or the other, like what they hear, and therefore argue their side. There are people who have heard a bad integrated amp and a good headphone amp, and are therefore unfavorably biased. Maybe there are a few going the other way on this point, but I doubt it. Now finally, you get to the few people who have heard multiple good integrated amps/receivers (and by good, I mean with dedicated headphone sections that are more than afterthoughts) AND who have heard multiple good headphone amps, both using comparable quality sources. This tiny minority of people can give you an educated opinion. Ah... but it is also biased, because it is based on their ears, tastes, preferences and not yours. A really good amp only amplifies the signal and passes it along. So in theory, all good amps are up to the task equally. However, as with many things in life, compromises (cost, design, heat, wear and tear, tinnitus) get in the way and foul things up. So both are "physically up to the task" but headphone amps typically do a better job simply because, per dollar invested, they are designed for the specific purpose and make fewer compromises along the way. |
Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, they are just pointless! Which is why most of us own one. Just because we have too much money and need to spend our savings one something which makes no sense at all... |
Originally Posted by CrazyRay /img/forum/go_quote.gif I own a 1979 Kenwood KA-907 Integrated Amp. This unit cost well over $1,000.00 IN 1979! This unit has a killer headphone section. This unit features strict dual mono construction with 2 transformers. 180 + 180 watts into 4 Ohms, 150 + 150 watts into 8 Ohms. 2 Phono inputs, 2 tape loops + aux and tuner connections. The preamplifier can be separated from the power amplifier. 2 pair of speakers can be driven. THIS THING ROCKS! It drives all of my headphones wonderfully! |
Originally Posted by CrazyRay /img/forum/go_quote.gif I own a 1979 Kenwood KA-907 Integrated Amp. This unit cost well over $1,000.00 IN 1979! This unit has a killer headphone section!... |
Originally Posted by pp312 /img/forum/go_quote.gif At last, an honest man! |
Originally Posted by breakfastchef /img/forum/go_quote.gif If it sounds good to you, there is no reason to go with a dedicated headphone amp. If you ever have the chance to listen to a headphon amp, and it betters the sound of your home amp, thn you might want to consider the investment. I sold off all of my stereo equipment a year or so ago, so my only listening system is a headphone amp-based setup. |
Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've tried some receivers and old amps headphone outputs, but honestly, the headphones amps sounds way better for me ... |