Full Size Receiver as Headphone Amp?

[Cxrazy]

Hey guys,

I have an old Sansui 5000A receiver that I use to drive the speakers in my room, and I was wondering if the headphone jack would be decent?

You don't see many people using receivers like this for headphones, so I'm just curious.

Here's a pic, because I know how much everyone loves pictures.

I took it on my phone....

 

[IceClass]

I'm using a vintage Fisher 500-C as my main headamp and loving it!

 

[krmathis]

Well, why don't you tell us?

Cause as you say there are not many people around here using receivers like that one for headphones...

Those who do seems to be well pleased with the result though. So its certainly worth a try.

 

[Cxrazy]

Well I'm waiting for my HD580's to get here....

It will depend on how good the receiver sounds as to whether or not I purchase an additional amp.

I was just curious if anyone had used these big boys.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Yes, people use them. Some are very good and Sansui made nice decks. Though I think you need a turntable to go with it!

Also, a lot of people ask about receivers. Could you be persuaded to write a review of it with your HD-580? A lot of people would love to read one.

 

[plonter]

what is actually the difference between a reciever and a dedicated headphone amp? isnt a reciever a amp with just a lot of inputs and outputs?
can someone tell a difference, maybe in the electronics...or something?

do headphone amps consider more good sounding and more apropriate to drive headphones than recievers?

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plonter /img/forum/go_quote.gif what is actually the difference between a reciever and a dedicated headphone amp?

Several differences as I see it.
* Receivers are primarily meant to drive speakers, while headphone amplifier are meant to drive ... surprise, surprise... headphones.
* Receivers have built in FM/AM radio, while headphone amplifiers don't.
* Receivers have several inputs, treble, bass, loudness, ... adjustment, while most headphone amplifiers don't.

Probably more, but thats the most obvious differences.
That don't say that the headphone amplifier built into a receiver can't be pretty nice though.

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Several differences as I see it. * Receivers are primarily meant to drive speakers, while headphone amplifier are meant to drive ... surprise, surprise... headphones. * Receivers have built in FM/AM radio, while headphone amplifiers don't. * Receivers have several inputs, treble, bass, loudness, ... adjustment, while most headphone amplifiers don't. Probably more, but thats the most obvious differences. That don't say that the headphone amplifier built into a receiver can't be pretty nice though.

well said!, and this is very logical i presume. the extra circuits inside the reciever makes the sound far less natural and precise than a dedicated headphone amp. the amp is more clean and consertrating only in amplifing the signal.

 

[willne1]

I just got my headphone amp (Head-Direct EF-1) to replace my B&K Reference 50 pre/pro. All I can say is the difference for me was like night and day. I had to crank my receiver way up to get sound like I get with my headphone amp at 9:00. The sound was also a lot thinner with the receiver using Senn 580's. The only thing I miss is the remote volume control.

William

 

[Uncle Erik]

There are a few more differences between receivers and dedicated headphone amps. One, a receiver usually uses a couple of resistors to step down the power from the speaker amp. They almost never have a discrete headphone amp built in. Two, the vast majority of receivers operate in class AB, while most headphone amps operate in class A. I won't go into the details (there are many available with a quick search), but class A is higher quality amplification. Three, dedicated headphone amps tend to have better power supplies than receivers. Receivers are for price conscious consumers. Headphone amps are specialty products for discriminating buyers. We're a lot pickier than the guy who wants 5.1 in the living room for his family.

 

[-=Germania=-]

Many old receivers are really nice sounding headphone outputs.

As far as modern, readily available stuff goes, the Marantz and Yamaha Natural Sound receivers have probably the nicest headphone ports. The Pioneer Elite headphone outs are not as well implemented IMO.

My only problem with some headphone outputs on the older receivers is that they sometimes drive the headphone port from what is not the best component on the system. For instance, I have a Yamaha Natural Sound CA-600 which is a nice amp and can be found for about $150 in good condition. The pre-amp outputs and the pre-amp in general on the receiver is one of the best I have ever heard (The speaker outputs are darn nice too). However, instead of driving from the pre-amp, it has its own circuit which is integrated from the power amp section. Every part of it is a discrete design, so it bests the headphone out of a Zhaolu no problem as well as many other $100 or so DIY designs. I use the pre-amp outputs to my Headphone amp and get a large step up in sound. Keep in mind that my headphone amp represents $250 in parts and my CA-600 is $150.

The top models of the mid-late 70's (something which costed MSRP$300+ in the mid 70's) should still be better than MSRP$900 new receiver now. The Dynaco amps which are older are still kicking hard due to great design in running all of the tube and such under spec. Most of these nicely kept receivers might just need a recap of the electrolytics. If you pick up a cheap $25 amp from the 60-70's and it does not work or just sounds bad. If not interested in fixing it, you can pluck off some really nice parts. I have ended up with some very nice PIO caps, transformers, switches, etc. which would have costed me MUCH more than the old receiver did.

There is no harm in trying and it is a very good option for those on a budget or just also need a speaker amp.

 

[texashorn91]

I use my Marantz 2226b receiver everyday with my HD580s and I love it! You will be suprised

 

[CrazyRay]

I am using a 1970’s Pioneer SA-8100 integrated amp, TX-8100 tuner and a Meridian 506 24-bit CD Player and it sounds incredible.

My second system uses a 1979 Kenwood KA-907 pre amp and KT-917 Tuner.

The Pioneer sounds better than the Kenwood, but not by much.

 

[LarryK2]

The headphone out in my vintage Scott tube amp isn't very nice - the headphone out in my ~ 1998 Denon receiver is pretty good though. That's how I got interested in headphones in the first place - plugged in a very modest headphone into the Denon and realized it was a far more detailed and refined sound than my $1500 B&W speakers (which are pretty nice by the way). Does it sound as good as my maxed Woo Audio 6? No, but it's a good sound.

Cheers,
Larry

 

[tosehee]

I tried the headphone out of Pioneer VSX-92, and it was unbearable. I couldn't listen more than a minute. I guess it all depends on which headphone you try and what receiver you got.