Using full sized integrated amp

[keiron99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headdie /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd also be curious to know if someone has tried to drive headphones with the speaker out of a new T-AMP? This new generation of amplifiers seems to be very hot, but I can't find one with a headphone jack...

Many years ago, I drove a pair of AKG K240s (I think that's what they were called) from the speaker terminals of a Musical fidelity A1 (it didn't have a phone jack). In fact, I snipped the plug on the phones and soldered them directly to the pcb in the amp (I was a student and couldn't afford any plugs!). This was 20 years ago, but I recall the sound being excellent. I did however crap myself before switching on.

I am a total cynic when it comes to headphone amps - indeed, amps of any kind. Over 30 years, I've had a string of low/medium/"lower high end" amps in my system, and I subscribe to the prevailing view at uk.rec.audi0 - all half decently disigned amps (which includes most on the market) sound the same. So don't get me started on cables

 

[scompton]

Heretic

The only reason I'm thinking of replacing my NAD is I'd like the tone controls to work with the headphone out. Some of my vintage headphones are bass light and are supposed to take boosted bass very well.

 

[keiron99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton /img/forum/go_quote.gif Heretic The only reason I'm thinking of replacing my NAD is I'd like the tone controls to work with the headphone out. Some of my vintage headphones are bass light and are supposed to take boosted bass very well.

You want tone controls, and I'm the heretic!

I have no qualms about adjusting tone to suit my taste. I used to have a Musical Fidelity X-Tone which worked very well, but are like hens' teeth now.

 

[rocdoc]

My Marantz PM 7000 Integrated remains my reference for headphone listening, using the HP out. This remains true after trying out several well reviewed and highly popular dedicated HP amps.

 

[NiceCans]

I must say it is refreshing to hear another side of things as there is much "that headphone absolutely needs this $10,000 specialty amp or it sounds awful" stuff posted. (exaggeration)

While I am sure there is some benefit to many of those amps it is reassuring to hear that the average listener can enjoy good cans without.
I expect this will help many who are new to headphones decide to go ahead and purchase good quality phones even if they cannot afford the latest craze in amps.

 

[scompton]

Since I have electrets and stats that must be driven from speaker terminals, I'm just the same not have a dedicated headphone amp. It'd just be one more piece of equipment I don't really have room for.

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocdoc /img/forum/go_quote.gif My Marantz PM 7000 Integrated remains my reference for headphone listening, using the HP out. This remains true after trying out several well reviewed and highly popular dedicated HP amps.

Interesting...I owned the PM7000 a few years ago. I found the built-in headphone jack, while dynamic, to be too warm. Bass response was not particularly tight, nor extended. It also lacked the last bit of high-end detail. I'm guessing that the output impedance is a quite bit above zero. Not that bad sounding really, but just not getting the best from the Grado HP-2's I had at the time. I do prefer detail over euphony though.

Although your profile does not show the headphones you use, still it just goes to show how different we hear, and how these forums offer more subjective info than objective. Nothing wrong with that. It just it what it is.

Also, there is more to saying something is "good" than simply saying it is good. Such opinions should be qualified a bit, imo.

 

[Headdie]

I've finally bought a NAD C-720-BEE to drive my new Energy RC-30. I'll try the NAD headphone jack with my DT990 and D2000 before buying something else. I will also do an A/B test with my Yam HTR-5960 phone socket. I'll let you know... Thanks for all your comments. Head-fi is such a useful forum. If you know who's started it, then say thanks for me!

 

[Headdie]

I just got my NAD receiver. First thing I did was to power it on, plug my DT990 in the jack and tune a jazz FM station... Wow! I didn't thought that FM could be that good. My only other source (beside the tuner) will be a computer and I still have to buy a DAC. I guess I'm going to order a Blue Circle Thingee no later than tomorrow. Now, I have great expectations. If this Thingee is up to its reputation, the best is yet to come

 

[scompton]

Your computer probably has line out so if you get a mini to RCA cable, you can connect your computer to the NAD. An external DAC might sound better and will be more convenient, but in the mean time, you can listen to your computer.

 

[odigg]

Somebody sticky this thread of blasphemy

I just contacted Cambridge Audio about their Azur 340A integrated. The tech support got back to me in a few hours (very impressive) and stated that they use resistors off the main speaker out. This amp can be picked up for less then $350 new and so is comparable in price to many of the cheaper priced desktop amps out there.

I'm going to take a guess about something - your experience will vary. My theory is that many halfway-decent (translation, even the cheaper HK integrated) stereo receivers have a good headphone out. The reason for this comment is that there is no digital signal processing going on in these. I think DSP tends to monkey with the whole system design, and thus the headphone outs may not be as good. Of course this is just a theory. I'm not a hardware engineer. Your closest audio store (with many headphone amps) is a few miles away for you to test.

This may also be why the NAD integrated/tuner spoken about above has a good headphone out. No digital section = no dsp. NAD does make good stuff though. If you are looking for an amp with a "smooth, warm" sound to complement your cans, take a look at NAD.

--more information--

I ended up contacting Cambridge about some of their other integrated stereo amps receivers.

Question - "I'm also looking at some of your other hardware such as the 340R, 540A, 540R v2 and 540R v3. Do all of these use resistors off the main amp output?"

Answer - "The receivers are configured in a similar fashion although the more expensive stereo amps use an op amp system."

"Similar Fashion" meaning in relation to my original question about the 340A.

For $450 you can pick up a refurbished (full warranty) Cambridge receiver with a 24 bit DAC and enough power to blow apart your headphones, speakers, and ears simultaneously. Quite a bit cheaper than a "good" headphone desktop amp and a "good" separate DAC to go with it.

The answer also addresses a point already made in this thread by pp312. A recent conversation with an high end AV hardware engineer also supports what has been said. A resistor (or even 3) is much cheaper to put in than even a useless dedicated opamp based amp for the headphone jack. If companies really were trying to maximize profits they would just use a resistor.

 

[Navyblue]

Whenever this thread pops up it gives me some resolve to refine my speaker to headphone adapter out of my power amp instead of contemplating a home amp.

 

[peter.star]

Ehhehe
Me using an old Marantz 1050 as headphone amp to drive my HD-580.

It adds the missing warmth to the emu 0404 usb.

 

[odigg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navyblue /img/forum/go_quote.gif Whenever this thread pops up it gives me some resolve to refine my speaker to headphone adapter out of my power amp instead of contemplating a home amp.

Assuming you have 1% resistors that are running fairly cool, I don't think there is all that much you can do to refine it.

 

[Navyblue]

I am using a bunch of wirewound resistors right now, will probably swap them for 1% metal film resistors and better cable. I'm thinking of putting a passive preamp and have a nicer box too.