[Jasper994]

I'm just curious to know what people that have the M-Audio Audiophilie USB think of the headphone amp. Is this sufficient to drive 120 ohm and below headphones well? How does it compare to running a spearate headphone amp such as a Meta42 off of the line out of the Audiophilie or the Revo? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[blessingx]

I have the Sony V6s (at 63 ohms) and temporarily the Senn 580s (at 300). I can do tests with my Grado 225s (32) when I get them back.

I used the almost acoustic album by Hem, "Rabbit Songs", and Radiohead's "Hail to the Thief" as tests. FLAC files were used.

Comparing the AP USB headphone output (with dedicated volume level) versus line out to a HeadSave Ultra, the Ultra wins pretty easily, though the headphone jack does a decent job powering even the 580s.

Replace the AP USB stock power supply with a Stancor and the competition gets surprisingly close (I realize the PS switch will impact the amp's sound also). They are not equal though. The Ultra still fills in both ends of the spectrum a bit and the overall soundstage feels more atmospheric (especially with Thief and the 580s). But the AP USB isn't far behind with Rabbit with either phones and not much more with Thief and the V6's. I had to switch back and forth three times to verify there was indeed a difference with Hem on either cans and that's pretty close. Radiohead though was more noticeable.

The Ultra also allows me to connect a X-Feed MKIII crossfeed in between, which I consider a must. The X-Feed wasn't used for these tests though.

Take whatever you can from these very minor tests. I have to say the headphone jack performed much better than I expected, even with the power hungry 580's.

 

[Jasper994]

wow switching power supplies made that big of a diff... huh... I'll have to keep that in mind. Sorry... I'm kind of a newb at all this.

 

[blessingx]

I'm as surprised as you.

Slowly, kicking and dragging my feet, to some of the normal opinions around here. Thought the whole interconnect discussions were a little rediculous until I upgraded my Radio Shack golds to the barely more expensive MagWire Nakeds. And as big as that difference was (even with my lower end setup) this power supply switch was greater.

 

[Jasper994]

argh! I'm starting to feel the reality of the old "sorry about your wallet" welcome!

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally posted by blessingx I'm as surprised as you. Slowly, kicking and dragging my feet, to some of the normal opinions around here. Thought the whole interconnect discussions were a little rediculous until I upgraded my Radio Shack golds to the barely more expensive MagWire Nakeds. And as big as that difference was (even with my lower end setup) this power supply switch was greater.

Ahh... another example of clean, regulated power coming to the rescue. The more examples of this I read, the more certain it becomes -- clean power to an amp is one of the most important things, if not the most important thing -- particularly on the lower end where there may be little or no regulation built into the basic circuitry of the unit. Glad I invested $60 today in two Elpac linear regulated wall zits....

P.S. haven't I seen you post in HA every once in awhile, blessingx? Careful what you say over there about cables and interconnects...

 

[blessingx]

Will do. Sometimes I crack up when people over there talk about their expensive audiophile Senn 212s & Soundblaster setup and transparency at 192 kbps. Then again on this side there's the all computer audio is evil comments. Outsiders again.

 

[Jasper994]

who the bloody hell said the 212's were audiophile cans?

 

[superjohnny]

I was talking to the salesman at Fry's and pointed to a pair of Sony V6's and asked if they were any good. He said, "Are you kidding, these are studio headphones. They are some of the best headphones you can buy."

Ask a stupid question...

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally posted by superjohnny I was talking to the salesman at Fry's and pointed to a pair of Sony V6's and asked if they were any good. He said, "Are you kidding, these are studio headphones. They are some of the best headphones you can buy." Ask a stupid question...

At the very least, they are easily the best phones Fry's sells. Glad the salesperson didn't push the Triports, as I overheard them do once.

 

[raif]

Quote:

Originally posted by superjohnny I was talking to the salesman at Fry's and pointed to a pair of Sony V6's and asked if they were any good. He said, "Are you kidding, these are studio headphones. They are some of the best headphones you can buy." Ask a stupid question...

if i worked at frys and only listened to the headphones they sold I would nut my pants over the v6s too

 

[Jasper994]

Quote:

Originally posted by raif if i worked at frys and only listened to the headphones they sold I would nut my pants over the v6s too

Yeah and you'd have the BOSE rep trying to convince you that the Triports were better

I was at a Fry's once when the Bose rep was there (when the Triports first came out) and he tried to convince me that the Triports would compete with $300 from headphones from Sennheiser (not sure which ones he was trying to refer to since it was before my headphone "awakening.")

One thing is for sure, my 590's and 280's spank the crap out of the Triports.