Do I need a headphone Amp... Which one?

[Paulcdl1]

Hi,
I have an old (early 2000's) Denon integrated system consisting of a stereo receiver (DRA-F101) and a CD player (DCD-F101) with Mission speakers. I think it still sounds good. I recently picked up a used pair of Sennheiser hd650 headphones for late evening listening and while it sounds pretty good to me I'm wondering if there would be any benefit in getting a headphone Amp? Is there anything more I could be getting from driving the speakers a little harder.? If so, what would you recommend and how would I connect to my current set up?

Thanks.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I recently picked up a used pair of Sennheiser hd650 headphones for late evening listening and while it sounds pretty good to me I'm wondering if there would be any benefit in getting a headphone Amp? Is there anything more I could be getting from driving the speakers a little harder.?

It's not just about "driving them harder." You may not even necessarily be putting that much more power into them, but you'll be putting less distortion and barring bad tube amps, less noise as well. Chances are you'd start pushing more power is if you enjoy it too much and crank it up.

There's also one other problem with headphones that made headphone amps necessary - output impedance. The output impedance on nearly every speaker amp's headphone output tends to be 120ohms, and that's if you're lucky. Rotel is at 138ohms, NAD went from 50ohms on the D3020 back up to 150ohms on the MkII for some reason, etc. That said, the ill effects of this is somewhat tempered by high impedance headphones, so if you're getting enough voltage to get to a good loudness level, there's a lot less of a problem. At worst it just boosts the midrange of a high impedance headphone, unlike how low impedance headphones get loose bass that is either softer or louder.

Basically, since there's no issue that you'd encounter with low impedance, low sensitivity headphones (which need a low output impedance and a lot of current), the HD600 and similar high impedance, high sensitivity headphones tend to work well enough for most speaker amps' headphone outputs. You'd still get lower distortion and noise, but it's hard to guess whether that will be audible to you or whether you'd consider the expense worth it.

If so, what would you recommend and how would I connect to my current set up?

If you want to get one, try something like the Meier Jazz FF and just hook it up to the Tape/Rec Out on the integrated amp/receiver.

 

[Paulcdl1]

Thanks for the advice... I can't find any spec for the headphone socket resistance so I suppose I'll just have to try an amp and see what it's like.... I'll check out the Meier.

 

[buke9]

If you really want to appreciate the 650’s there is not much better than a Bottlehead Crack. No not all tube amps are warm and this amp just is the best I’ve heard the 650’s sound and I have a couple of more expensive amps and one a lot more expensive and still like the Crack much better.

 

[Paulcdl1]

Thanks I'll check that out. ... Funny name!

Does anyone rate the Schiit magni 3? It seems like a good budget option but there are mixed reviews.

 

[PaganDL]

Hi Paulcdl1,

As echoed by most here already, especially Portegemaniac, it doesn't hurt to try a good head amp, especially one with low headphone impedence.

If you don't want to spend too much, try something like the Presonous HP4 to see if it makes much difference to you, soundwise.

ALWAYS DEMO audio gear if you can with quality sources you know well & TRUST YOUR OWN EARS, NOT ANYONE ELSE'S.

Hope this helps.

 

[buke9]

I will be going to a meet next weekend where there will be what is called the Schiit Pack. Mostly all the Schiit headphone products minus the Rag and Yggy. So I’ll be able to hear the Magni 3 as I’ve not heard it before but have most of the other Schiit amps. Also looking forward to checking out the Jot with the 650’s . The Bottlehead Crack might be a funny name but a seriously good amp for high impedance headphones.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Thanks I'll check that out. ... Funny name!

It's the street name for cheap cocaine in the US. They're basically evoking the idea that listening to a high impedance headphone driven by that amp will be addictive.

Does anyone rate the Schiit magni 3? It seems like a good budget option but there are mixed reviews.

Schiit amps have a tendency to have harder, sharper edges than the rounded, smoother edges of Meier amps when you crank them up. Overall distortion figures aren't high on the Meiers, so it's not like they're overdoing that - they're basically just distorting in the opposite direction as Schiit amps. Noise is consistently lower across the board too.

Personally if you're in Europe you might as well get Meier. There's also the Meier Rock - it seems expensive vs the Magni but when you account for EU retail prices (or ordering from the US and then having to pay import taxes) the gap is a lot smaller.

 

[Paulcdl1]

Update. I've been trawling through reviews and looking at what's available locally second hand as I need to be mindful of my spend at the moment. The Meier jazz ff and the rock are beautiful looking machines but unfortunately there are none available used currently and new are a little above what I wanted to spend (no Schiit or Bottlenecks either). I came across a used Graham Slee Solo for 115 and did some research and decided to take a punt on it as it seems to work well with the hd650's...its an older model without the psu1 or linear upgrade but looks like it might be a good way to get my foot in the door. What do you guys think?

Also I'm still a little confused about how to hook up to my receiver when I get it. My Denon has 4 rca sockets in the tape section.... An in & out marked pb, and an in & out marked rec. Do I connect the solo to the rec sockets? Then do I select tape on the receiver for playing a CD thru the solo? Alternatively would I be better off connecting the solo directly to a not as old Samsung Blu ray player... Would this have a better dac?

Thanks.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Update. I've been trawling through reviews and looking at what's available locally second hand as I need to be mindful of my spend at the moment. The Meier jazz ff and the rock are beautiful looking machines but unfortunately there are none available used currently and new are a little above what I wanted to spend (no Schiit or Bottlenecks either).

It's actually Bottlehead. Bottleneck refers to a weak link in a system.

I came across a used Graham Slee Solo for 115 and did some research and decided to take a punt on it as it seems to work well with the hd650's...its an older model without the psu1 or linear upgrade but looks like it might be a good way to get my foot in the door. What do you guys think?

Double check the shipped price for the Corda Rock though. It might not be too far off that price, plus you get a new unit with warranty. Note shipping costs too - AFAIK Meier's prices include shipping and EU taxes wherever applicable. You might end up having to pay shipping for that one anyway unless you can do local pick up on it.

Also I'm still a little confused about how to hook up to my receiver when I get it. My Denon has 4 rca sockets in the tape section.... An in & out marked pb, and an in & out marked rec. Do I connect the solo to the rec sockets? Then do I select tape on the receiver for playing a CD thru the solo? Alternatively would I be better off connecting the solo directly to a not as old Samsung Blu ray player... Would this have a better dac?

Use Rec Out.