[el cheapo]

Hi. I've been lurking on this board for a while and got myself a few phones already, but I'm still lacking a real source and amp. (Right now I'm using the ER4P out of a discman and the HD580 out of god knows what.)

I see that some CD players come with a headphone out. Are any of these any good? Coz I'd kinda blown my wallet, so I'd like to roll the source and amp expenses together for now if possible.

I know headphone outs of many components are not well regarded, but I thought CD players may be an exception, since those with headphone outs have 'dedicated' headphone amps in the sense that the headphone amp circuitry is there to drive headphones only (as against preamps and integrated amps where the 'headphone amp' may just be preamp and speaker amp circuitry adapted for headphone use)

This thread http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=19231 seems to suggest that the Grado RA-1 amp could be built, sans wood enclosure, for $20-50--and in fact some CDPs already incorporate circuitry equivalent to the RA-1 amp... although the guy who wrote this doesn't seem to think much of the amp, it seems to suggest that if you like the sound of the RA-1, you can get it straight out of some CDP... which is surely good news

 

[kelly]

How cheap does it need to be? I've heard some people are picking up new DVD players for less than $200 and a decent DIY amp can be built for between $100 and $200.

 

[kin3tix]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly How cheap does it need to be?

yeah, it would greatly help if we knew your budget. if it is high enough you might be able to afford an amp also, as kelly hinted.

 

[el cheapo]

Well... $200 sounds like a good price

But really the objective here is to choose a CDP such that I don't HAVE to buy a headphone amp straight away... think I can get away with that?

I mean it's great to pick up a CDP for <$200 and then build a DIY amp to go with it, but it'd be even better to pick up a CDP for <$200 that also happens to have a good headphone amp built in, so that I have some way to listen to it while that amp gets built, or ordered if I don't have the time! (probably)

 

[kelly]

In my personal opinion, it would be better to buy a DVD player in the low end and *most* of these don't have headphone jacks at all--none of them have good headphone jacks. But, to get a CD player the equalled a modern DVD player I think would cost you more--as much more, maybe, as a decent headphone amp.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally posted by el cheapo I see that some CD players come with a headphone out. Are any of these any good? Coz I'd kinda blown my wallet, so I'd like to roll the source and amp expenses together for now if possible. I know headphone outs of many components are not well regarded, but I thought CD players may be an exception, since those with headphone outs have 'dedicated' headphone amps in the sense that the headphone amp circuitry is there to drive headphones only (as against preamps and integrated amps where the 'headphone amp' may just be preamp and speaker amp circuitry adapted for headphone use)

Same thing with component CD players' headphone outs, unfortunately. Though they may have a separate headphone output circuitry and a jack designed for headphones, it's the circuitry itself that's crappy. Those circuits cost the CDP maker less than 50 cents to put in - and the circuits themselves cost perhaps 50 cents, as well. So the sound quality will still be no match for even a good low-end separate headphone amplifier.

 

[el cheapo]

What kind of circuit costs 50 cents???

Any exceptions?

Alright, how about good (as transport) cheap CD / DVD / SACD / whatever players with ANY headphone jack then

 

[Squalish]

The standout CDP in this range is the Sony NS500v and its big brother with a carousel the NC650v. The ns500v can be had for $125+$20 shipping online, and the NC650V can be had for $200 @ Best Buy.

 

[taoster]

how about a Nakamichi player in general?

their listening booth MB-K300 has an excellent headphone out and if any of their other cd player are similar, it'd be excellent value.

 

[fyrfytrhoges]

ns500v has no headphone jack.

 

[sacd lover]

Try the sony ce-775 or sacd 222es. They play cds quite well ,have a decent headphone out and of course they will play sacds.You can pick up a ce-775 for $200 new or $150-175 used. I own two ce-775s and I really like them.

 

[kin3tix]

Quote:

Originally posted by sacd lover I own two ce-775s and I really like them.

what do you need two for?

 

[wallijonn]

probably one for the living room and one for the bedroom.