Headphone amp: wasted money?

[JadeMonkee]

Hello,
I posted a while ago asking opinions about headphone amps:
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?p=959637
I tried out the amp from http://www.electric-avenues.com/ when it arrived, but all I had was a terrible stereo mini --> stereo mini cable, and the amount of interference was near intolerable. So I went on eBay and bought a cable made from the Star Quad cable that I had had recommended to me: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....tem=5721371824
Now, (aside from some issues with amp noise that I will discuss in the cable forum here ) I plug in the amp, and I notice no difference in sound from my iRiver iMP-400. I have the amp plugged into the line out of my iMP-400, and when swapping between the unit's amp and my headphone amp, I see no difference in bass/treble definition, sound stage or whatever. Maybe some more listening tests are required, but last night I could notice no difference.
I usually only listen to my music at about half volume (<20/40 on the volume scale on my iMp-400) and think that it is sufficiently loud for any situation I've been in. Would that change with the 64ohm Sennheiser HD-280s headphones I am about to buy (which should prove to be a big upgrade from my (32ohm) Sony MDR-22 closed headphones)? I am hoping that because the new headphones are 64ohm that at least my headphone amp will serve some purpose (i.e. to drive the more power hungry HD280s).
I would also like there to be some difference in sound (more refined bass etc). Am I hoping in vain? Did I waste my money?
Should I have bought the shellbrook amp?
Does anyone want to buy an electric-avenues amp? j/k...
Should I have been expecting any difference?

 

[AuroraProject]

I think here your headphones may be an issue, however some people just can't hear a difference between audio components. For me an amp really brought out the bass in my portable setup, I run line out of an ipod into a Xin Superdual amp and into Ety ER-4P headphones. Even without the Xin's bass boost function on I get better lows than straight out of the ipod.

I would reserve judgment until you upgrade your headphones.

 

[masteraleph]

I can say that I notice a significant boost, especially on the low end, on my 280s between going straight from my NJB3 vs. through my Pimeta. But as with all things in audio, YMMV.

 

[OneMalt]

Are you sure you're running the amp from the line out and not the headphone out?

 

[JadeMonkee]

Indeed I am.
If I run it from the headphone out I get more interference.

 

[clemens]

Ugh... actually I was thinking of getting an amp for my Zen Touch (which I don't have yet) as well, but reading this, I wonder whether it's worth it. Maybe I should rather invest in new headphones (ATH-CM7 or ER6i's, probably).

But searching around, it seems the Touch doesn't even have a line out. I thought you could hook an amp up to the headphone out as well; doesn't that work?

 

[JadeMonkee]

From my experience, I would say definately get the headphones before the amp. Only then judge if you think you need an amp.

 

[HiWire]

Also, your source may not be at the right level of sound quality... the chain is as strong as its weakest link.

 

[clemens]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JadeMonkee From my experience, I would say definately get the headphones before the amp. Only then judge if you think you need an amp.

The problem is, even when I have new headphones (currently I'm using Senn PX200's for portable listening), I can never be sure if the sound would still be better with an amp without trying it. It's that nagging temptation, you know...

 

[hciman77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JadeMonkee Hello, I tried out the amp from http://www.electric-avenues.com/ when it arrived, but all I had was a terrible stereo mini --> stereo mini cable, and the amount of interference was near intolerable. So I went on eBay and bought a Does anyone want to buy an electric-avenues amp? j/k... Should I have been expecting any difference?

I have one of those "Electric Avenues" amps as the output from my now departed Panasonic PCDP was just not strong enough to drive my Senn 535s or 580s. I also use it with my iRiver Slimx350 but the line-out on the 350 is **not** a true line-out i.e the output varies with the volume setting (I dont know if this is true of the iMp400) .

I have to say I had none of the noise/interference problems you mentioned and I use a bog-standard Monster mini-mini. With my Senn PX100s which are low impedance I do notice a slight firming of the bass but it is pretty slight and it may be my imagination but I mainly use it to add volume and it does that pretty noiselessly and reliably.

 

[DanT]

Here my theory. Cheep amp are only need if your source is SERIOUSLY lacking in some area when driving your headphones.Either if your source is seriously weak or your headphones are very demanding. This amp doesn't look like much. So I would guess that this particular amp in your setup is useless.

A higher quality amp may improve sound quality but be careful with your expectation you might end up with a situation where your source is limiting or your phone is limiting.

Here what I Posted on an other tread

Quote:

He my thought about amplifier in general nothing specific. An amplifier only amplify the sound. Lesser amplifier either degrade the sound when it amplified it or has some kind of limitation voltage or current that prevent them to drive the headphones at it full capacity. That why a better amplifier can produce better sound because it doesn’t degrade the sound when amplifying. Doesn't limit the dynamic, doesn't blur the detail, have enough power to put weight on bass among other things. That important to know because the way some people talk it seem that the amplifier does some magic trick to make it all better. But in fact it only make the sound louder while maintaining the quality. Of course making the sound louder with the most fidelity possible and using the full potential of the headphones will get a much much better sound that lousy amplification hence the importance of a good amplifier. Finally amp indeed have coloration and tonal characteristic and house sound. They sound different from each other so there is a question of synergy and taste to get an optimum systems.

 

[JadeMonkee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hciman77 ...I also use it with my iRiver Slimx350 but the line-out on the 350 is **not** a true line-out i.e the output varies with the volume setting (I dont know if this is true of the iMp400) . I have to say I had none of the noise/interference problems you mentioned and I use a bog-standard Monster mini-mini. With my Senn PX100s which are low impedance I do notice a slight firming of the bass but it is pretty slight and it may be my imagination but I mainly use it to add volume and it does that pretty noiselessly and reliably.

Check out the sister post here for some more info on my situation regarding the amp and the line-out (and interference).
To cut the story short if you can't be bothered, the line-out on the iMP-400 isn't at a set volume.

Also, thanks for the info DanT.