rgoodnight
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2006
- Posts
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I've been experimenting with dedicated headphone amps for a while - even built a Bottlehead S.E.X. (Single-Ended eXperimenter) tube amp for my K1000.
But lately I bought a used McIntosh C34V pre-amplifier on craigslist ($900) and it has quickly become my favorite and primary headphone amp.
Why do I like it? Let me count the ways:
1 - In addition to being a pre-amp, it has a 20WPC monitor amp with speaker outputs so I can drive my K1000s
2 - Two headphone jacks in the front
3 - A five band equalizer. I know purists might not like it but I enjoy some recordings much better with some tweaking (a little bit more base here, a little less highs there).
4 - Variable loudness control. Again, something that purists might not like but I find it invaluable for low-level listening. I want to keep my hearing and with this amp I get a really "fat" and satisfying sound even at 60dbs
5 - A phone input. Yes, I listen to vinyl and it's great not to need a separate phono stage.
6 - A built in compressor/expander. I don't use it a lot but sometimes (e.g. listening to FM) a little expander makes up for the super-compressed sound. And, again, I find it very useful for low-level listening.
7 - Looks great. I know this is subjective but I love the McIntosh looks. It's also built like a tank and feels like it will last forever.
8 - Variable gain on the monitor amp - which means I have much more fine-tune control on the volume. With other amps I rarely got beyond the 8 or 9 o'clock position on the volume.
9 - Value. McIntosh equipment, especially if you buy it used, will keep - and even appreciate in value.
10 - Sound. Last but definitely not least. The McIntosh sound is so smooth I can listen to it without fatigue for hours and, unlike some other gear, it makes less than perfect recordings listenable and even enjoyable with a little tweaking of the tone controls.
I use this pre/amp with my K1000s (connected to the speaker outputs of the monitor amp) and with a pair of Senn HD580 connected to one of the front headphone outputs.
You can find these (and similar McIntosh pre-amps) for $500-1,000. Considering all their flexibility, sound, resale value, and headphone friendliness (remember 2 headphone outputs + a 20W amp for more demanding cans), I believe they are really worth considering if you do a lot of headphone listening.
Randy
But lately I bought a used McIntosh C34V pre-amplifier on craigslist ($900) and it has quickly become my favorite and primary headphone amp.
Why do I like it? Let me count the ways:
1 - In addition to being a pre-amp, it has a 20WPC monitor amp with speaker outputs so I can drive my K1000s
2 - Two headphone jacks in the front
3 - A five band equalizer. I know purists might not like it but I enjoy some recordings much better with some tweaking (a little bit more base here, a little less highs there).
4 - Variable loudness control. Again, something that purists might not like but I find it invaluable for low-level listening. I want to keep my hearing and with this amp I get a really "fat" and satisfying sound even at 60dbs
5 - A phone input. Yes, I listen to vinyl and it's great not to need a separate phono stage.
6 - A built in compressor/expander. I don't use it a lot but sometimes (e.g. listening to FM) a little expander makes up for the super-compressed sound. And, again, I find it very useful for low-level listening.
7 - Looks great. I know this is subjective but I love the McIntosh looks. It's also built like a tank and feels like it will last forever.
8 - Variable gain on the monitor amp - which means I have much more fine-tune control on the volume. With other amps I rarely got beyond the 8 or 9 o'clock position on the volume.
9 - Value. McIntosh equipment, especially if you buy it used, will keep - and even appreciate in value.
10 - Sound. Last but definitely not least. The McIntosh sound is so smooth I can listen to it without fatigue for hours and, unlike some other gear, it makes less than perfect recordings listenable and even enjoyable with a little tweaking of the tone controls.
I use this pre/amp with my K1000s (connected to the speaker outputs of the monitor amp) and with a pair of Senn HD580 connected to one of the front headphone outputs.
You can find these (and similar McIntosh pre-amps) for $500-1,000. Considering all their flexibility, sound, resale value, and headphone friendliness (remember 2 headphone outputs + a 20W amp for more demanding cans), I believe they are really worth considering if you do a lot of headphone listening.
Randy
