Headphone Recommendations for a Home Stereo

[Ardsley]

The HD6xx IMO is one of the best bang for the buck bargains in this hobby,assuming you enjoy a warmish sound signature. The next step up would be the LCD-2 pf and then the ZMF Aeolus for similar sound signature.
LCD-2pf when new was $1000.00.
ZMF Aeolus-$1200.00

Thanks...I'm going to head over to the guy's place today for a listen.

 

[Ardsley]

I just heard back from Cambridge Audio. They are kind of "old school", and this is what they wrote:

"The AM10 does not use an op-amp for the headphone output, it actually uses a resistor pad that is tapped off from the power amp section of the AM10. It is also worth noting that the AM10s headphone output is designed for compatibility with headphones with an impedance between 32-600 ohms."​

Of course, they didn't recommend if I should go towards the 32 or 600 ohm side. Any suggestions? Thanks!

​

 

[PurpleAngel]

Have you ever wondered why CD players that do not have an amp has a HP jack? Its an op-amp. They use the same design in modern AVRs.
Are there some modern high end AVRs that still use the resistor method? Perhaps. I haven't read every single manual.
Perhaps you may want to read this thread.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/calling-all-vintage-integrated-receiver-owners.537704/page-1221
All the members posting there arent just a bunch of old codgers reliving the 70s. Theres a massive difference in SQ between resistor based HP jacks employed in the 1970s vs. modern gear.
My Sansui 881 from 1974 that I purchased for $75.00 literally destroys my modern NAD AVR that cost me $999.99 when driving headphones.

Page 1221 of that thread does not seem to talk about headphone jacks and their output impedance, on "vintage" equipment?

 

[Monsterzero]

Interesting.

I'd still opt for the 6xx. Try to take your AM10 with you. If thats not possible,I'd buy it,take it home and if the AM10 isnt up to the task,you can sell the 6xx for pretty much what you bought it for.

 

[Monsterzero]

Page 1221 of that thread does not seem to talk about headphone jacks and their output impedance, on "vintage" equipment?

yeah,I wasnt suggesting that page 1221 specifically does. Its a long thread,its mentioned several times,just need to read.

 

[SpeakerBox]

Have you ever wondered why CD players that do not have an amp has a HP jack? Its an op-amp. They use the same design in modern AVRs.

Are there some modern high end AVRs that still use the resistor method? Perhaps. I havent read every single manual.

Perhaps you may want to read this thread.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/calling-all-vintage-integrated-receiver-owners.537704/page-1221

All the members posting there arent just a bunch of old codgers reliving the 70s. Theres a massive difference in SQ between resistor based HP jacks employed in the 1970s vs. modern gear.
My Sansui 881 from 1974 that I purchased for $75.00 literally destroys my modern NAD AVR that cost me $999.99 when driving headphones.

+1 on that!

 

[PurpleAngel]

yeah,I wasnt suggesting that page 1221 specifically does. Its a long thread,its mentioned several times,just need to read.

Any other place to read about receiver's headphone jacks besides the vintage thread?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Have you ever wondered why CD players that do not have an amp has a HP jack? Its an op-amp. They use the same design in modern AVRs.

CD players have no need for a speaker amplifier, so no, i do not expect a CD player to have a speaker amplifier.
Op-amp is short for "operation amplifier", so technically would not an op-amp be considered a amplifier (of some type)?

 

[Monsterzero]

Any other place to read about receiver's headphone jacks besides the vintage thread?

Try AudioKarma

CD players have no need for a speaker amplifier, so no, i do not expect a CD player to have a speaker amplifier.
Op-amp is short for "operation amplifier", so technically would not an op-amp be considered a amplifier (of some type)?

Sure an op-amp is an amp,a very small,and often under powered one,which goes back to the OPs original question of which HP to get:

just heard back from Cambridge Audio. They are kind of "old school", and this is what they wrote:

"The AM10 does not use an op-amp for the headphone output, it actually uses a resistor pad that is tapped off from the power amp section of the AM10. It is also worth noting that the AM10s headphone output is designed for compatibility with headphones with an impedance between 32-600 ohms."

So I used to have CA Blu Ray player,forget the model number,but it didnt drive headphones well at all. So in trying to help the OP,its prudent to find out the specs prior. If OP had a Schiit Magni 3 for example,things would be much simpler.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Try AudioKarma
Sure an op-amp is an amp,a very small,and often under powered one,which goes back to the OPs original question of which HP to get:
So I used to have CA Blu Ray player,forget the model number,but it didn't drive headphones well at all. So in trying to help the OP,its prudent to find out the specs prior. If OP had a Schiit Magni 3 for example,things would be much simpler.

Thanks, I'll check out AudioKarma

 

[Ardsley]

Thank you, everyone! I found a pristine Grado PS500 for sale at $200 so I bought that. I have a feeling this is not the last purchase. So does my wife, unfortunately. That's just a part of the adventure! I have a feeling I'll be looking for more advice real soon! Thanks again!

 

[SpeakerBox]

Thank you, everyone! I found a pristine Grado PS500 for sale at $200 so I bought that. I have a feeling this is not the last purchase. So does my wife, unfortunately. That's just a part of the adventure! I have a feeling I'll be looking for more advice real soon! Thanks again!

My long suffering wife gave up on the dream of a "last purchase" long ago.

 

[HBen]

My long suffering wife gave up on the dream of a "last purchase" long ago.

At the point where you have so much gear that she completely lost oversight and doesn't realize once you show up with a new toy it will eventually get better ^^

I changed from collecting speakers to headphones ... I guess that helped too

 

[SpeakerBox]

At the point where you have so much gear that she completely lost oversight and doesn't realize once you show up with a new toy it will eventually get better ^^

I changed from collecting speakers to headphones ... I guess that helped too

She has lost track now as it has been 36 years. However, I do sometimes sell something to pay for something else.