Receiver as Amp?

[DaHoboFest]

I just got a new surround receiver because my old one was a combo, and i hooked up my headphones through them and cranked up the sound, i could actually feel the bass in the headphone it was so powerful, is this what its like to have an amp?

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoboFest I just got a new surround receiver because my old one was a combo, and i hooked up my headphones through them and cranked up the sound, i could actually feel the bass in the headphone it was so powerful, is this what its like to have an amp?

Generaly a stand alone headphone amp will sound better than the headphone jacks of newer recievers. Some vintage amps have very good headpone jacks though. Also shouldn't this be in the amp forum?

 

[number1sixerfan]

I'd take my heapphones to an audio shop and use the headphone jacks on the receivers. Only way to find out.

However, what PsychoZX said usually holds true.

 

[DaHoboFest]

no, i did do that, im wondering how does it compare to an amp?

 

[Helter Skelter]

It depends on the reciever and/or headphone amp in question. Some use quality amplification circuitry, some don't. YMMV. I have an old Technics reciever here that sounds pretty decent, if a bit bassy and lacking in detail.

 

[wallijonn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoboFest I'm wondering how does it compare to an amp?

Think of an amp as not something that makes it louder but rather something that makes it NOT sound distorted. With an amp you are not removing distortion, you are feeding the "speaker" driver with enough voltage and current, you are driving it optimally, whereby the driver is not going into distortion. What happens is that there is more bass, as opposed to bass distrotion because the driver can fully extend, and no distortion in the high end, so there is no hiss. When you get rid of the high and low distortions the mids sound cleaner. That is the function of an amp - not louder sound.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI: I use my Sony 500 watt stereo receiver headphone jack. I have had lots of amps up to the PPA and prefer my stereo receiver jack over all of them. The headphone jack is very strong on my receiver. The PPA did sound a little better but not over 400.00 better. LOL.

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTUCCI1924 HI: I use my Sony 500 watt stereo receiver headphone jack. I have had lots of amps up to the PPA and prefer my stereo receiver jack over all of them. The headphone jack is very strong on my receiver. The PPA did sound a little better but not over 400.00 better. LOL.

Hey Lou, what model is you 500 watt receiver?

 

[LTUCCI1924]

apnk
HI: How are you? Sony STR-DE835 Digital Cinema sound surround sound 100x5 watts. I use a fiber optic cable from my satellite box to my receiver and DiMarzio ICs from my Minidisc deck to my receiver and a fiber optic cable from my DVD/CD deck to my receiver.

 

[Necros]

Quote:

Originally Posted by apnk Hey Lou, what model is you 500 watt receiver?

I wouldn't trust Sony's ratings

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Holl...1/ratevsac.htm

Really more like 30-35W per channel for there budget amps.

 

[Joey_V]

The Harman Kardon AVR-330 has an awesome headphone out. VERY large difference from the straight audio out from my Audigy 2zs. I think that for what I paid for this receiver, it serves all my audio needs real well - from powering my Polk LSIs to my Senns. For me to get a better headphone out (amp), I think I would have to spend above the $200 mark.... which is not worth it to me and my current headphone state.

Regarding the Sony wattage ratings... I agree, they seem to be more inclined to bloat their ratings, as do many other companies. Harman Kardon is a lot more conservative with their ratings, yet, when tested the HK amps produce more watts than the manufacturer states.

No offense, but IMHO, I think the only good Sony receivers are the ES series.

 

[DaHoboFest]

while on the subject, do My senns need an amp to hear its voice?

how is this?\

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI: What? I drive 5 speakers at great volume with my 500 watt receiver. My front speakers are the Cerwin-Vega 10" 3 way over 4' high. My headphone jack is coupled to my front speakers sound and go way louder than I would go and sound great with any headphone I ever plug in to it. High or low ohmage.

 

[Necros]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTUCCI1924 HI: What? I drive 5 speakers at great volume with my 500 watt receiver. My front speakers are the Cerwin-Vega 10" 3 way over 4' high. My headphone jack is coupled to my front speakers sound and go way louder than I would go and sound great with any headphone I ever plug in to it. High or low ohmage.

CV are pretty easy to drive (I won't say anything about them) so they don't need much in the amp department- I hate to burst your bubble, but your Sony is most likely NOT true 100W x5 total output RMS 20hz-20khz all channels, <0.1%THD. You can still drive speakers loudly (and into distortion) with a low powered amp, but it'll sound bad...especially if you use 4ohm and insensitive speakers.

Most likely 100W, one channel driven, into 6ohm DIN, 1khz tone, THD in clipping area.

btw my amps are rated at 100W, but really give out more, as Joey also mentioned with HK amps.
http://www.iaguk.com/tma/100p_specs.htm

DaHoboFest- don't really understand your question...

usually a headphone amp will be better than the ones in budget av amps.

 

[DaHoboFest]

yeah, i know, but i would be willing to spend some money on a real amp, would it be worth getting something like the one i showed for my SEnn?