[dlaloum]

Hi Folks
I have some spare good quality amps (quad 303, 405, 606) - would they provide a high quality alternative to a specialised Headphone amp?
Possibly using something like one of these units.. Furman HR-2, ProCo HJ4P etc...
So basically spend $100 to connect my $2000 power amp to the headphones.... as an alternative to spending $200-$300 on a dedicated Headphone amp...
thoughts?

I am considering a set of Beyer DT880's probably the 600ohm version.... and concensus seems to be - don't bother unless you have a good amp - but I don't at this stage want to spend additional on a dedicated HP amp.

Has someone tried these?
Has someone reviewed them?
Has anyone experimented with different amps and Headphones on this type of setup?

The circuits for this are public domain and mentioned in a range of reputable places (eg: Grado adaptor) - but there is a severe lack of real reviews of the end result!

(Just exploring the possibilities... kicking tyres...)
Thanks
David

 

[ting.mike]

Speaker amps do work with headphones, just be very careful with the volume knob.

Generally they can give enough voltage swing and current for your headphones, so impact and punch are full. The problem often is that they are not refined enough, have hiss, noise, etc that are very audible in headphones.

Just give your quads a try.

I've driven my HD650 from an Adcom power amp once. It was pretty good, but really lacks refinement.

 

[dlaloum]

Hi,

thanks for that...

I think your description of the Adcom matches my own experience - I had an adcom 555 at one stage - in my main HiFi... lots of oomph... lots of bass - which had seemed absent before.... but definitely lacking refinement.... - so perhaps the idea works well... it sounds like you were hearing a similar amp profile to what I remember just through headphones!

If I can similarly get a similar profile to what the Quads sound with speakers I will be a very happy man.

bye for now

David

 

[dlaloum]

Update:
 
I lashed out - went on a buying spree...
 
1) Headphones - Revox 3100 (oem 1986 Beyer DT880Pro 600ohm)
2) Firestone Audio Cute Curve 
3) Art Headtap
4) Matrix M-stage
 
I also have a Creek Phono pro which uses a good regulated PSU (OBH2) which by coincidence matches the Cute Curve, so I upgraded the CC by using the OBH2.
 
Running my source (Media PC with flacs output via SPDIF) into my Receiver/DAC Onkyo TX-SR876, and output from there into all the above options as well as the receivers onboard HP Jack amp.
 
All proved capable of driving the HP's very well with the Receiver's Jack and the Receivers's speaker outputs sounding on a par in terms of quality albeit a bit different.
 
The CC sounds better, and the M-Stage better again.
 
But in terms of value, the ART Headtap simply cannot be beat.... all of $50 for a quality HP amp which can drive difficult HP's easily.
It also clearly shows up the power amps sound signature.
 
It just so happens that my receivers HP Jack is also surprisingly good.... (so maybe I didn't need to go down this experimental path... but I would never have been happy without comparing!)