What amp for Sony HDD?

[chrisco]

I am looking to use a headphone amp via the line-out of a Sony NW-HD1 witha set of Sen 595s..

I was looking at a little dot II+ but I feel I need something on the move.

What should I consider?

Is there anything that would greatly improve sound quality and volume to make better use of the Sens for around $200?

I have asked a lot of questions around these subjects to get where I am with the Sen 595s and the Sony NW-HD1.....I just need the help of you guys one more time to complete the picture.

 

[Spaceage]

If you have the 50 ohm version of the 595s, then an amp isn't going to do a whole lot. I have a Sony HD5, and I have run the 595s through a PA2v2 and a Total Bithead. The improvement in SQ was minimal.

Nothing is going to "greatly" improve the SQ, except for maybe new headphones.

 

[leng jai]

LDM+ works well

 

[chrisco]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceage If you have the 50 ohm version of the 595s, then an amp isn't going to do a whole lot. I have a Sony HD5, and I have run the 595s through a PA2v2 and a Total Bithead. The improvement in SQ was minimal. Nothing is going to "greatly" improve the SQ, except for maybe new headphones.

I find that VERY difficult to believe- do you have the 50 ohm 595s and this set-up?

I play my sen 595s directly from my Sony CD player and via a Kenwood amp (nothing special) and despite the low ohm rating they benefit enormously from greater amplification!!!!

The Sony NW-HD1 simply doesn’t power the sens anywhere near enough….hence the point of looking to line-out and a decent on the move amp.

I am only making honest comments, I apologise if they offend in any way. Maybe I am missing something- Thanks for the post

Quote:

Originally Posted by leng jai LDM+ works well

Hiya Leng,

I know that you have have the sen 595s and a Sony network walkman. Can you detail more about the amp you have mentioned;

How portable is it?

How much does it cost/where can it be bought?

How good is it/how well thought of is it?

Does it particularly match the Sony/Sen sound?

Is it a better amp for this equipement than the Little Dot II+?

What do you think to what Spaceage said above?

Is this my very best option at $200 for the equipment I have?



Cheers

 

[Spaceage]

Yes, I have the 50 ohm. Perhaps it's because the HD5 is such a great source, but running the lineout through an amp does not improve the SQ of the 50 ohm 595 by very much.

 

[chrisco]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceage Yes, I have the 50 ohm. Perhaps it's because the HD5 is such a great source, but running the lineout through an amp does not improve the SQ of the 50 ohm 595 by very much.

Perhaps the difference involved is the sound level required to amp the sens that found between the NWHD1 and the HD5 that you have?

Thanks for taking what I said in a balanced way and for posting again Space.


leng jai, i'd be very grateful if you could follow-up?

 

[leng jai]

Let me give you this link first

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=170530

Basically everything you need to know about the LDM+. In terms of design, looks and size it is pretty much perfect as a portable amp. It can be bought from David and his details can be found in that thread. He is a very nice guy to work with and service from the Little Dot team is second to none.

I think in general, amping does not make a massive difference like some people here make it out to be. But the nature of headphones is that differences in high end equipment are fairly small, and you pay a lot of money to get these small improvements. Furthermore the HD595s perform extremely well unamped so picking the difference can be hard if you're new. I don't really really use my HD595s with the NWHD5 much, mostly through my X-Fi. I can tell you that it gives slightly better clarity, wider soundstage and more bass extension. The HD595 can only get up to moderate volumes out of the NWHD5 so the amp helps a lot there.

BTW the LDM+ is only a 70 dollar amp shipped. The Little Dot II is a non-portable tube amp which costs 180 shipped so I expect that it is quite a bit better. The LDM+ has received quite a lot praise here, and some people have reported great synergy between it and the 595s (including myself).

 

[chrisco]

leng jai- Thanks.

The synergy between the two that you have stated is something I was looking for. As much as anything else I have been forced to amp my NW-HD1 because the volume is limited and it is not possible to fully remove the soundcap via the service menu as on other players.....so I have to go amped as the sens are currently seriously under amped due to too low a volume from the player.

Portability is fairly important but not everything.......how significant is the difference between the micro and the little dot II+?

Edit......I think I have made my mind up afterall thanks to the information given so far so the last question is redundant.

Thanks for helping me.