General questions, help!

[Devon8822]

Hey there, I know virtually nothing about amps/headphones ATM, so I am hoping someone can educate me. I am planning on buy a nice pair of headphones and a portable amp in the near future. Here's some of the questions I have right now.

1. I have an amplifier for my record player from the 80s... is it physically possible to use this when I am at home, with the source being my computer? or my ipod?

2. What would sound better generally, my medium quality record player amplifier from the 80s... or a new portable amp for a couple hundred? Thats a pretty vague description to compare with but I think it should be enough... I mean idk... I am guessing that any non-portable amp would be far better than a portable amp?

3. I like getting common tried/tested/loved things... so are there any "classic" amp and headphone combos that everybody seems to have and love? again, price range from 200 - 600.

4. If I plug my headphones into my record player amp, and the source being my computer, would that sound significantly better than if I plugged the headphones right into my soundcard? is that even possible? give me an idea.

5. Whats a DAC compared to a portable amp? whats the difference, why would you want one over the other?

I am thinking I could use the amplifier I have now, when I am at home at my desk, and I could use a portable amplifier when I take my headphones out on a bus or something. Depending on the answer to my questions. thanks

 

[funniecow]

Can someone answer his questions please, I'm also interested in these questions.


Thank you!

 

[92135011]

1. is there a headphone jack? audio out on computer or ipod? then of course you can, but see below...

2. no one can tell you what sounds better, especially since we haven't heard your amp (if its a full amp)

3. certainly, lots of options but I don't know many product lines so I will leave that to other people

4. unless the headphones required more driving power, I don't really see the point. That is, if you are using the analog out of the computer.

5. Digital analog convertor takes a digital signal and converts to analog. Amplifier only takes a signal (any signal) and makes it bigger. You can't really do much with a DAC without an amp unless it gives a pretty big output. You definitely cannot use an amp without a DAC if you are only working with a digital signal.

popular hookups include computer to DAC to amp to headphones. The computer has its own DAC from the sound card if you use the analog out. Otherwise, you can use USB as a digital out, but then you will need a DAC that accepts USB connection

 

[warrior05]

I'll chime in as well...

1) You've got a lot of options here. Most computers these days have built-in sound which is delivered via 1/8" jacks mounted on the mobo. You can take an 1/8" plug to RCAs and plug the RCAs into an Aux In on your amp. Not the ideal hook-up. You can get yourself a USB DAC to take the audio signal digitally from your computer, convert to analog which typically is delivered by way of RCA jacks then take an RCA to RCA interconnect and plug into an Aux In on your amp.

As for your iPod - you can either get a LOD (Line Out Dock) that terminates with RCAs to plug into your amp or you can get a docking station with a line out which you can then, via an interconnect, plug into your amp.

2) The answer to this really depends on your amp. For all we know, you could have a killer McIntosh that would outshine many portable amps. Yes, you could generalize that a home based amp is better than a portable but it is a matter of scale. In other words, if you are willing to pay $500 for a portable amp there are those that outshine a number of home based amps. I prefer not to make generalities since there are always exceptions. It all comes down to your budget, what your main intention for the amp is and what sounds good to you.

3) Too many options, too many varying opinions. This is a subjective hobby and only you can decide what sounds good. You'll get farther if you concentrate on the headphones first. Think about what genres of music you listen to and search threads with reviews listing testing music you know. Then when you narrow down to a headphone or two, start looking at what amps people have found good synergy with. No, this is not quick and easy. You have to do some homework. Ideally, you can attend a meet to try various equipment yourself. Bring your own CDs so you can listen to music you know.

4) Typically, yes - it would be better to plug into an amp rather than straight from a soundcard. Soundcards tend to pick up internal interference from your computer. Also, soundcard amplification for headphones is notoriously dicey. Again, there are exceptions. Test for yourself and make the determination then.

5) The previous post explains this. Keep in mind, there are a number of portable amps that have built-in DACs. Very good ones too - i.e. Headamp's Pico.

As you can see, you've got a lot of options. It would be best to prioritize how you plan on using the new equipment and go from there.

Good luck!

 

[Devon8822]

My current amplifier (that goes with my record player) is a Technics SU-8077.

Would this amplifier with an Ipod plugged into it and into a pair of AKGs, sound good, or would you recommend getting another amp for headphones? and do portable headphone amps sound as good as no portable ones generally? thanks

 

[Devon8822]

bump?

 

[nutric08]

Hello!

Buy headphones first (a lot of listening should be a great way to start, just to get you an idea what sound signature suits your taste). Try it with your current amp. If you like what you hear great. If not specify the budget, music preferences and what you want to improve compared to your old amp.

The last question is nicely explained in previous posts. Generalization is not quite possible since one amp could sound great to me but to you it could be just s***, so to speak. And vice versa.

Getting something "better" (read: with a higher price tag) is not always a good thing, especially if you cannot hear and enjoy the difference.