[arty]

Hallo

I'm looking for a headphone amp to go with my new 880s, and have come across an Earmax (non-Pro) for about £150 (~$260). Assuming good condition etc., does the original non-Pro Earmax have any disadvantages over the Pro? I'll only be using it with fairly high-end headphones as far as I know, and I want something that will last me a good few years if possible.

Any opinions welcome. I've read quite a few recommendations for the Earmax Pro & 880 pairing, but very little about the original Earmax, hence this thread

Thanks,

arty

 

[gordolindsay]

I think one of them is for high impedence phones and the other for lower impedence. I'm guessing the pro is for the higher since that's where all the 880/EMP reveiws come from.

Anyway, I'm sure someone will answer more thoruoghly, but I think that's the main difference.

 

[tom hankins]

I think both amps will work fine with high imp. phones. The Pro version will also work with low imp. phones as well.

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins I think both amps will work fine with high imp. phones. The Pro version will also work with low imp. phones as well.

Bingo.

The EarMax Pro (EMP) has a beefier power supply and different tube set, and was designed to drive both low and high impedance cans. This was, I believe, because the original EarMax struggled with low impedance cans, ie: Grado's.

So, for high z like Senn 580/600/650 or Beyer DT880's, the Earmax is just fine. If you throw Grado's or other low z cans into the requirement, best to go with the EMP

 

[arty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by agile_one Bingo. The EarMax Pro (EMP) has a beefier power supply and different tube set, and was designed to drive both low and high impedance cans. This was, I believe, because the original EarMax struggled with low impedance cans, ie: Grado's. So, for high z like Senn 580/600/650 or Beyer DT880's, the Earmax is just fine. If you throw Grado's or other low z cans into the requirement, best to go with the EMP

Great. That's pretty much what I wanted to hear. I'm gonna try to go for these as decent headphone amps seem to be a bit thin on the ground here in the UK, and my M-Audio FW410 is struggling a bit with these 880s, even with its dedicated headphone outputs

arty

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arty Great. That's pretty much what I wanted to hear. I'm gonna try to go for these as decent headphone amps seem to be a bit thin on the ground here in the UK, and my M-Audio FW410 is struggling a bit with these 880s, even with its dedicated headphone outputs arty

Agile_one is right about the EM and EMP. You could drive Grado's with the EM but it clips at even modest volumes.

But to be on the safer side it's best go with the EMP. It would then give you the option to drive either low or high impedance phones. So if you wanted to drive other phones besides the dt880 then you would have that option as well.

 

[edisonwu]

Two reasons that I would not be going with EM, if I were you.

The standard EarMax has no problem driving hi-Z headphone, though, it is worthless, anemic power supply (only 100mW/ch) is not that enough for most of the headphones. If you want EarMax, have to go with EMP (150mW/ch).

You would be very happy with tube rollings on EMP (1 x 12AT7; 2 x 6DJ8 or equivalent). but not the standard one ( 1 x ECC81; 2 x ECC86). See what tubes they use.

 

[P+D-MI]

Hey edisonwu, have you ever seen this review. http://www.audioxpress.com/reviews/m...ansen2017.pdfr It has power specs for the emp example-1.2mw 100 ohms 1% THD+N. Interesting read. I've been enjoying my emp for a couple of years now. Dennis.

 

[arty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edisonwu Two reasons that I would not be going with EM, if I were you. The standard EarMax has no problem driving hi-Z headphone, though, it is worthless, anemic power supply (only 100mW/ch) is not that enough for most of the headphones. If you want EarMax, have to go with EMP (150mW/ch). You would be very happy with tube rollings on EMP (1 x 12AT7; 2 x 6DJ8 or equivalent). but not the standard one ( 1 x ECC81; 2 x ECC86). See what tubes they use.

OK, noted. I'll stay on the look-out. The price of this Earmax amp has just increased too so I'm less keen to snap up a bargain.

Expect more 'is this amp any good?' threads as I see more deals appear in the UK

arty