[roncri]

So I'm in my 50s and have some hearing issues.  Not to the point where I need a hearing aid but my hearing is definitely diminished. I’ve got a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250 Ohms headphones being driven by a Topping TP30 amp.  Source is my computer.  Even when I have the amp and computer turned all the way up, I don’t seem to be able to get it as loud as I want.  The one thing I LOVE about the TP30 is that I can also use it to drive a pair of full range speakers.  What I’m looking for is a headphone amp that can also drive speakers but will get me move volume than I get out of the TP30. 
 
Appreciate any recommendations.

 

[cel4145]

Well, a headphone amp doesn't drive speakers (typically). Your Topping has a small headphone amp coupled with a speaker amp, pre-amp, and DAC all in one.

For the DT770 250 ohms, combo units like the TP30 may not provide enough power. However, you could get a headphone amp/dac that has line out or pre-amp out and run it to your Topping TP30 aux in. Something like this Monoprice if you are trying to keep the cost down: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=11567#specifications

What is your overall budget?

 

[Rhamnetin]

What is your overall budget?

 
This is vital.  There are all in one devices that can easily power speakers and any headphone.  The first ones that come to mind are the Schiit Ragnarok ($1700), 4 channel Beta22 (similar price), Woo Audio WA5 ($5900 without upgrades, close to $10000 with the upgrades), and the Woo Audio WA-234 Mono ($17,750).  

 

[cel4145]

This is vital.  There are all in one devices that can easily power speakers and any headphone.  The first ones that come to mind are the Schiit Ragnarok ($1700), 4 channel Beta22 (similar price), Woo Audio WA5 ($5900 without upgrades, close to $10000 with the upgrades), and the Woo Audio WA-234 Mono ($17,750).  

Someone has to create super expensive combo equipment for those that don't know what to do with their money. But I guess it makes sense to buy one of those if you are going to get speakers like the Kef Muon:



Lovely speakers, aren't they, for $224,999.99

 

[roncri]

If possible I'd like to keep it under $500.  Main reason I was looking for a single unit is that this sits on my desk at work and I don't have a huge amount of space to work with.

 

[cel4145]

I have an Audio-GD NFB-11, and I put my t-amp right on top

 

[PurpleAngel]

  If possible I'd like to keep it under $500.  Main reason I was looking for a single unit is that this sits on my desk at work and I don't have a huge amount of space to work with.

 
Sell off the DT990 and Topping TP30.
Get new headphones that are easier to drive and have a stronger mid range
 
Get the Monoprice 5" studio monitors, $170, built in amplifiers.
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=605500
 
FiiO E10K headphone amplifier, $76.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1064785&gclid=CIGThu-a8McCFQ2VfgodSEsMWg&is=REG&m=Y&Q=&A=details
 
Headphones, maybe the Soundmagic HP200 ?

 

[roncri]

   
Sell off the DT990 and Topping TP30.
Get new headphones that are easier to drive and have a stronger mid range
 
Get the Monoprice 5" studio monitors, $170, built in amplifiers.
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=605500
 
FiiO E10K headphone amplifier, $76.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1064785&gclid=CIGThu-a8McCFQ2VfgodSEsMWg&is=REG&m=Y&Q=&A=details
 
Headphones, maybe the Soundmagic HP200 ?

No offense but I didn't ask for a complete new setup, I asked if a specific type of speaker/headphone amp was available.
 
I like the DT990s but if I needed to switch I've got a pair of Senn HD580 and AKG K7XX Massdrop edition at home. 
 
I most definitely don't want new speakers as the ones I have are full range that I built myself.
 
The FiiO is a fine headphone amp but that's not what I'm looking for.

 

[GrindingThud]

MicroZOTL 2, although a bit over your price, does what you want.
I heard this at Capital Area Audiofest and it was pretty dang nice!
http://www.head-fi.org/t/771234/microzotl2-tube-headphone-amp-and-preamp-a-breakthrough-device

 

[roncri]

MicroZOTL 2, although a bit over your price, does what you want.
I heard this at Capital Area Audiofest and it was pretty dang nice!
http://www.head-fi.org/t/771234/microzotl2-tube-headphone-amp-and-preamp-a-breakthrough-device

Have to admit, that is a sweet amp but yeah, more than I really want to pay.  I wish the Musical Paradise MP-302 was still being made.  That's what I run at home and I prefer it to the TP30.

 

[roncri]

Hmmm, been looking around I did find this one.  I have to admit, being able to get a tube amp hybrid has some appeal. 

 

[cel4145]

I just don't of good all in one units like you are looking for that would easily driver your headphones. For small foot print, there is the JDS Labs Element: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/151/the-element-by-jds-labs. It's a combo dac/headphone amp, and the RCAs on the back can be configured to be outputs that you could run to your TP30. The Element is small enough might even fit on top of your TP30.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

   
This is vital.  There are all in one devices that can easily power speakers and any headphone.  The first ones that come to mind are the Schiit Ragnarok ($1700), 4 channel Beta22 (similar price), Woo Audio WA5 ($5900 without upgrades, close to $10000 with the upgrades), and the Woo Audio WA-234 Mono ($17,750).  

 

Also the AudioGD Precision 1 ($600) and Precision 2 ($1,000).

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/amp/Precision2/Precision2EN.htm

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/amp/Precision2/Precision2EN.htm
 

Originally Posted by roncri /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
I like the DT990s but if I needed to switch I've got a pair of Senn HD580 and AKG K7XX Massdrop edition at home. 

 

If it was just for the 250ohm DT990 I would suggest a powerful OTL tube amp, but since you have the 62ohm AKG K7XX, they'd require amplifiers that deliver power differently. The AudioGD's I linked above are perfect for this as their "gain" switch doesn't just alter the gain, but the manner of power delivery - one setting delivers more power at high impedance and the other setting at lower impedance. 

 

If you won't be using any very difficult to drive speakers, or heck, no speakers at all, get the Precision 1 - it might be designed to perform primarily as a speaker amp while also being a powerful headphone amp, but what you're going to go for here is how it flips the power delivery profile. In any case even at the low gain setting chances are you're going to get more power at 250ohm in "low gain" mode than the TP30.

 

The downside is that this one doesn't have a DAC in it, so you're going to have to get one also. Still, given you can get a good USB DAC for as little as $100 like the Schiit Modi2, then the power delivery profiles on the Precision 1 remain an attractive feature even without a DAC built in.

 

[roncri]

I just don't of good all in one units like you are looking for that would easily driver your headphones. For small foot print, there is the JDS Labs Element: https://www.jdslabs.com/products/151/the-element-by-jds-labs. It's a combo dac/headphone amp, and the RCAs on the back can be configured to be outputs that you could run to your TP30. The Element is small enough might even fit on top of your TP30.

The element is interesting.  Still prefer a single unit but I may be able to fit two, especially if I can stack.​

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  The element is interesting.  Still prefer a single unit but I may be able to fit two, especially if I can stack.​

 
If you want a single unit there's the AudioGD NFB-15. With 300mW at 300ohms it should still be plenty of power for your DT990, and way more voltage and less distortion than the TP30.