cheap decent headphone amp - recomendations

[dingaling]

Now i am aware cheap and decent headphone amp probably doesnt belong in the same sentence.

But anything has to be better then the onboard dell laptop earphone output.

The headphones i got are just fostex RP20's, but they sound horrible though a laptop, and really good from a home theater amp.

I am not made of money and am hoping you guys can recommend something reasonably priced that will delivery better output then a laptop earphone plug.

I'd like it to be USB powered too if possible.

So throw some names/models my way. Thanx alot guys!

 

[tpc41]

headroom total bithead, inexpensive usb dac and amp available at HeadRoom - Right Between Your Ears

maybe give a price range, everyone has different opinions of "reasonable" price

 

[dingaling]

I don't mind seeing what prices the products turn out to be, just id rather spend on the lower end of the scale, and hopefully some of you can say with experience "this model sounds pretty good for the price".

I'd stretch the budget knowing something that costs a little more but sounds alot better. Problem is i've only just started looking into a headphone amp after hearing how terrible my new cans sound on the laptop. And i have no idea whats good and whats bad.

But to make things easier lets say budget of up to $200

Looking at this bithead atm. This could be all i need, but more recommendations would be great! main thing is it can be powered via USB and provides a decent output (better then laptop)

 

[dingaling]

i also wonder if there is much of an issue using these headphone amps with the tiny 3.5 jack inputs when the headphones i have use the larger plugs (bigger then 3.5mm, forget the name, maybe they are called XLR) I need to get an adapter to bring it down to 3.5mm. Are there issues with doing this?

 

[tpc41]

you can grab an adapter from radio shack for a few buck, i think your headphones are probably 1/4 inch jack, is it the same shape as the 3.5 mm just bigger?

 

[dingaling]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpc41 /img/forum/go_quote.gif you can grab an adapter from radio shack for a few buck, i think your headphones are probably 1/4 inch jack, is it the same shape as the 3.5 mm just bigger?

Yep that sounds like the one 1/4inch.

Well so far it would seem for my low budget the bithead sounds like the go. I guess this will only be start tho once i get a taste for better quality audio i'll be saving up and on the search for something better.

Will post back with my results when i get it.

Cheers tpc41

 

[mannnu81]

+1 same Q but for K701

 

[Drag0n]

My vintage Fostex T20RP sounds great .
Is yours the new version or old?
It would probably sound great with a Little Dot tube amp or something. I havent heard the new version. Mine is from about 1982 or so and still works. Nice little set of orthodynamics.
If you want a small amp with a usb dac, maybe a Go-Vibe Petite?
Or the new Go-Vibe Boa?
Mine sounds good on my Zune with any of the amps in my profile, but it would really benefit from a home amp.

 

[dingaling]

I had some time to do some research and i'm leaning towards HOTUSB3 USB DAC

Seems like your getting alot for the money, everyone says they sound really good and should cost more. The fellow that makes them is on this board i believe.

Drag0n: i got the newer RP20's

- But i'm pretty impressed with them even tho i hear the vintage fostex's are so much better. My dad had the vintage t50's they were fantastic headphones! I wish i knew where they ended up all those years ago.

I'll report back with my mini review when i get a headphone amp.

 

[falang]

iBasso

This meets your budget at under $200 (including shipping as well). Usb dac with an amp and powered by a rechargeable battery that can be charged by simply flicking a switch (and you can still listen to your tunes).

Or, perhaps the Go-Vibe magnum.

 

[Dominat0r]

x2 on the iBasso....very nice for the money.

Im using a mini Go-Vibe USB DAC and its not bad little unit for such a small size. Its just a tad bigger then a box of matches.

They make a amp/DAC combo which is nice, called the Magnum. Might be in your price range.

 

[falang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighLife /img/forum/go_quote.gif They make a amp/DAC combo which is nice, called the Magnum. Might be in your price range.

That's the one I was thinking of.

 

[Dominat0r]

Quote:

Originally Posted by falang /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's the one I was thinking of.

got to hear one at Canjam...not a bad little unit. Even has a bass dial =)

Was able to bring boom to my (at the time) E4. These have been replaced with some Sleek SA6's.

Only thing is the usb will not power the amp, just the DAC.

 

[CountChoculaBot]

You could maybe commission someone to build you a Starving Student Millett Hybrid Amp w/ Alien DAC built it. I believe the Millett only costs around $40-60 in materials and the Alien DAC about the same as well. That, with the commission, should bring it to about $200.

 

[hellopanda]

X3 for the Ibasso D2. Small and portable that can drive most headphones efficiently. DAC+AMP.