[gaillard]

Looking for opinions on the Behringer HA400 and Behringer AMP800 amps to be used from the output of a 0404 pci. These will drive er4s, and if someone could educate me on how the specs match up (and with others) I would be much obliged.

Thanks
Jonathan

 

[gaillard]

No one? I would really appreciate if someone could let me know how the specs should match up (output of 0404 to amp to er4s and such and such) because, obviously I can't screw it up as I just found out hooking up an old RX-396 yamaha stereo reciever and trying the er4s out of that. Distortion through the roof. What is the reason for that? I am sure the specs don't line up but if someone could educate me I would love it! =) I beleive the er4s are 100 ohms and the output from the 0404 is unbalanced 6dBV max with thd+n at .001 percent. So I wouldn't want to get an amp with input below any of that correct? What should I be looking for here.

 

[sbulack]

A number of folks (including me) with Ety ER4S have recommended the Go-Vibe V5. We have posted that we've detected no hiss or background noise using a standard gain Go-Vibe V5 with the ER4S. I strongly prefer the sound through the ER4S with the G0-Vibe V5 over the sound with either of my "home" amps - a PPA fitted with discrete buffer, and a high-bias M^3. To my ear, there's a special synergy between the ER4S and the Go-Vibe V5. I use the Go-Vibe V5 with ER4S from a Creative Labs USB soundcard at work, and the sound is wonderful. I find this rig to present the sound of my favorite music in ways that are fully engaging and movingly beautiful. For use with the ER4S, I power my Go-Vibe V5 at 18-24 volts.

About Behringer: I have NO experience with their amps, but I LOVE the DAC in my Behringer DEQ2496 - it produces analog audio (from the digital stream I feed it) that sounds more like it's coming from a high quality live musician's sound system and less like it's coming from a home stereo system - less refined and more immediately present, and capably presenting subtleties and nuances as well as delivering full body-slamming sonic impacts. Since Behringer makes a lot of musician's sound system components, that shouldn't come as any great surprise. I like that difference and I really enjoy the analog audio that the Behringer DEQ/DAC puts out. I AM curious about how that would translate to the sound of a Behringer amp, but for me, that curiosity has yet to be satisfied.

 

[alfie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaillard /img/forum/go_quote.gif Looking for opinions on the Behringer HA400 and Behringer AMP800 amps to be used from the output of a 0404 pci. These will drive er4s, and if someone could educate me on how the specs match up (and with others) I would be much obliged.

I have an AMP 800. I never tried it with IEMs, but with Grados (60, 225) and some Sennehiser (595, 580, 600 and 650). It can drive them all; of course, the 580, 600 and 650 with some clear limitation. The four headphone outputs is sometimes very useful. Very silent amplifier, it is better than many opamp outputs as found in integrated amps and computer based speakers systems. Other amps I own, M^3 and MH, are many ways better in my ears. They show its main limit: a flat sound. But, according to a limited budget (I got mine at an online discount for 23 euro, it uses to cost about 50 euro here...) it can be a pretty good basic entry level amp.

 

[wae5]

Head-fi is a forum (mostly) for boutique amps (Go-Vibe, Gilmore, RSA, Meier) rather than pro audio amps so you won't find much love or user opinions for pro audio amps here. That being said pro amps can be quite good and because they take advantage of the economics of scale they're a very good bang for the buck. I owned the PreSonus HP4 (4 amps $100) but when I suggested it's a good starter amp because it's cheap, clean (no hiss ever), neutral, powerful and well made, I was met here with indifference. According to PreSonus (I confirmed this with them by phone) the HP4 uses the same headphone amps as the well loved PreSonus Central station. So while I have no experience with Behringer head amps, I can say if you're willing to consider pro audio gear, the PreSonus HP4 is worth a look. This especially true since Musician's Friend sells it for $99.99 with free shipping and a no questions asked 45 day return policy.

 

[gaillard]

Thanks for the input guys, this is widening my thoughts. I am interested in a flat sound. PERFECTLY flat to be honest. I am all about accuracy not what "sounds good". I know that might not be the best attitude around here but what I am setting up requires that each component be as accurate as possible. I have a 0404 that has a very accurate dac and analog out and THE most accuate IEMS made. Do you guys know how the specs of these couple pro audio gear we are mentioning matches up? I have found many detailed explanations about different specifications but not many on amps. There are some for speakers but they don't worry about impedance and such because its all 8 ohms. So what does it all mean. For example could anyone explain the signifigance in the RMAA testing, per component of the test I mean.

Also, While it looks like the hornet for example has a distortion at around .001 or lower for 100 ohm loads, I am having a hard time finding pro audio gear that gets that low. My dac is that low and I assume it would be ideal to match or be below that. Anyone know of equipment that has such low specs?

Thanks guys!

 

[wae5]

Here are the specs for the HP4:

http://www.presonus.com/hp4.html

The last thing muscians want when they listen to their own music is colored sound so pro audio head amps tend to be drier and less colored than their boutique counterparts which may need a sonic signature to set themselves apart from their brethren.

It may seem I'm pushing (shilling?) this amp but I think it's a much underrated product and a steal for $100. This is especially true with the 45 day money back guarantee offered by Musican's Friend.

 

[gaillard]

I agree it looks like a steal, but any idea what the specs will do with this setup? For example the 50 ohm output impedance. What would be the effect of this with 100 ohm (er4s) earphones? As long as its under 100 does it matter?

 

[alfie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaillard /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am interested in a flat sound. PERFECTLY flat to be honest. I am all about accuracy not what "sounds good".

Sometimes when non native english people (like me) are talking it may happens that some sort of language confusion introduces itself with strange side effects

My usage of "flat" is not like in "flat frequencies response" or "a sound without any sort of modification, as it is in itself". "flat" was a kind way to say it has a limited micro and macro dynamic so that details, transparency and coherence in full orchestral passage are lost.

 

[wae5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfie /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sometimes when non native english people (like me) are talking it may happens that some sort of language confusion introduces itself with strange side effects My usage of "flat" is not like in "flat frequencies response" or "a sound without any sort of modification, as it is in itself". "flat" was a kind way to say it has a limited micro and macro dynamic so that details, transparency and coherence in full orchestral passage are lost.

I listen to classical audiophile recordings and never once thought the HP4 lacked dynamic range, detail or transparency. On many recordings I could descern microphone placement, chairs creaking and objects striking the floor, in short I heard things I wasn't supposed to hear. I don't see how an amp designed primarily for pop musicians to listen to their own music could ever pass muster if it lacked dynamic range, details and transparency. The problem here is the HP4 and its ilk are cheap. Some members of this forum are like those who will only wear handmade shoes and are disdainful of those of us who wear Nikes and like them.

 

[alfie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wae5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I listen to classical audiophile recordings and never once thought the HP4 lacked dynamic range, detail or transparency.

I don't know the HP4. I was talking about the AMP800. I find it a pretty good amp for the price I paid it (and for its street price). If you are on budget, it is a good catch, otherwise there are many stationary amps I listened to that I liked more. I think it is targeted to home recording hobbysts rather than professional audio engineers and just for monitoring purposes.

 

[Icarus]

I know that I'll get a barrage of smirks and snickers from a lot of folks, here, who are into the rarified air of pricey(overpriced?) boutique amps, but I listened very critically for some time to a friend's AKG 701 and Grado 225 'phones through his Presonus HP4 amp/Presonus EQ3B 3-band equalizer setup, and was very favorably impressed. The equalizer allows for fine tuning the sound.
At a paltry $200 for the pair of Presonuses, it's got to be a great value when considering the amazingly good sound that one gets through these.
I do think, however, that the definitive reviews of such low priced amps would be obtained if several critical listeners compared them with higher priced amps, doing a blind comparison; reviewers would not know which amps are being reviewed nor even see them, but could only judge them entirely and only by listening.
I really think that many who look down their noses at inexpensive, "non-audiophile" amps like the Presonus HP4 already have a mindset that just won't allow them to admit that the sound from them is as good as it really is.
The audiophile mindset does tend to lend itself to a fair amount of arrogance, pretentiousness and elitism, where the bling factor often seems to be so seductive.

 

[gaillard]

Thanks for the replys, you both make good points. I am going for the hp4, I'll report back after some serious critical listening and see what the reaction is =) I'm glad there are some people who share my views!

 

[xcodeguy]

I have the AMP800 and the FBQ800. The AMP800 is okay. The four 1/4 outputs and A/B capability makes it very versatle. Like one other person said - it's a flat sound. I've driven my IEM's and full size cans no problems.
I paid $39.00 USD.

Now compared to my MicroAmp... No comparison. The MicroAmp sounds leaps and bounds better than the AMP800. I really liked the price of this thing but I'm pretty sure I bought a piece of equipment designed to have an insturment plugged into it. I guess if I were looking to plug my guitar into a headphone amp and strum away using my headphones then the AMP800 would probably be a decent cost effective choice.

Would I use the AMP800 for any kind of high fidelity music listening? No. Even with the 9 band graphic EQ on the FBQ800? No.

 

[gaillard]

What do you mean sounds better though? I am looking for accuracy, are you saying the microamp sound more accurate, less noise or anything like that?