Currently I am using my NAD C 325BEE as my headphone amp and I have been very happy with its performance. My previous amp was a MiniMAX Hybrid which also sounded lovely but was limited in its functions. I wanted to see if most of you use separate amps for your headphones and speakers.
Why buy a dedicated headphone amp?
- Thread starter tdogzthmn
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FallenAngel
Headphoneus Supremus
The same reason people drive Ferraris and not Civics - performance, versatility, power output.
I'm really curious how the Millett MiniMax was "limited in functionality" - it's a headphone amp.
I'm really curious how the Millett MiniMax was "limited in functionality" - it's a headphone amp.
The same reason why having a pair of monoblock amplifiers is better than 1 stereo amplifier and the former better than an integrated amplifier.
They are design specifically to perform one function. They also have more output power that translated in voicecoil control which translates in better sound.
They are design specifically to perform one function. They also have more output power that translated in voicecoil control which translates in better sound.
Mink
Headphoneus Supremus
Quote:
I think he means the MiniMax lacks tone controls, which can be handy.
Why buy a dedicated headphones amp?
If you notice your headphones do not perform well with the headphones out of a integrated amp.
That's the reason I bought my X-Can.
It depends on the headphones of course, my A500's do not need a dedicated amp, they don't sound better (or worse) with the X-can.
My D5000's sound significantly better with the X-Can, connected on my Marantz integrated they sound a bit strained and hard.
| I'm really curious how the Millett MiniMax was "limited in functionality" - it's a headphone amp. |
I think he means the MiniMax lacks tone controls, which can be handy.
Why buy a dedicated headphones amp?
If you notice your headphones do not perform well with the headphones out of a integrated amp.
That's the reason I bought my X-Can.
It depends on the headphones of course, my A500's do not need a dedicated amp, they don't sound better (or worse) with the X-can.
My D5000's sound significantly better with the X-Can, connected on my Marantz integrated they sound a bit strained and hard.
Suprfly2k
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+1
(as I sit waiting for the wood-glue to dry on my 11 liquorice pizzas sitting on the floor...)
| Originally Posted by DarKu /img/forum/go_quote.gif because we are all Nuts ? 
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+1
(as I sit waiting for the wood-glue to dry on my 11 liquorice pizzas sitting on the floor...)
berlinguyinca
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a month ago I was happy with a pair of ear buds now i have oopen orders for way to much headphone related stuff...
I hope this all goes by and my wallet recovers. I knew I get addicted to this hifi stuff again...
a month ago I was happy with a pair of ear buds now i have oopen orders for way to much headphone related stuff...
I hope this all goes by and my wallet recovers. I knew I get addicted to this hifi stuff again...
ting.mike
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Cause all the Head-Fi gods say you need a dedicated headphone amp?
I have tried a lot of headphone amps in the lower price bracket ($300 below), and I don't find them any better than the headphone out on my Adcom preamp.
I am using my NAD C 325BEE as my headphone amp and I have been very happy with its performance
If you're happy with it, then I wouldn't bother getting a separate amp for headphones.
I have tried a lot of headphone amps in the lower price bracket ($300 below), and I don't find them any better than the headphone out on my Adcom preamp.
I am using my NAD C 325BEE as my headphone amp and I have been very happy with its performance
If you're happy with it, then I wouldn't bother getting a separate amp for headphones.
pp312
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Quote:
Actually he hasn't noticed that, since he just stated: "Currently I am using my NAD C 325BEE as my headphone amp and I have been very happy with its performance."
And I totally see where he's coming from. I've questioned the need for a dedicated HP amp many times in this forum and I still question it, especially with a high impedance phone like the OP is using. I've used quality integrateds (including the NAD mentioned) for years with great success with my HD650, and I've listened to many HP amps and heard little improvement. No, I haven't heard any super-duper HP amps, but I think the OP is enquiring about dedicated amps around the price range of his NAD. Incidentally, I'm not saying no one should buy a dedicated amp, or that they cannot effect improvements in many cases; simply that they're by no means essential for satisfying results. In fact I get very hot under the collar when I keep reading posts saying don't buy such-and-such a phone unless you're prepared to shell out for a dedicated amp; it just won't work. It probably will work and work very well; it just may not work to the optimum that a dedicated $1000 amp may do. And I emphasis "may".
As for the remark about limited functions, possibly that's a reference to lack of switching facilities, lack of tone controls or just the fact that a HP amp can only be used for HPs; if you happen to also use speakers you still need an integrated. To my mind the greatest advantage of HP amps is that they use so little power; but again, that's only if you don't own speakers.
| Originally Posted by Mink /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why buy a dedicated headphones amp? If you notice your headphones do not perform well with the headphones out of a integrated amp. |
Actually he hasn't noticed that, since he just stated: "Currently I am using my NAD C 325BEE as my headphone amp and I have been very happy with its performance."
And I totally see where he's coming from. I've questioned the need for a dedicated HP amp many times in this forum and I still question it, especially with a high impedance phone like the OP is using. I've used quality integrateds (including the NAD mentioned) for years with great success with my HD650, and I've listened to many HP amps and heard little improvement. No, I haven't heard any super-duper HP amps, but I think the OP is enquiring about dedicated amps around the price range of his NAD. Incidentally, I'm not saying no one should buy a dedicated amp, or that they cannot effect improvements in many cases; simply that they're by no means essential for satisfying results. In fact I get very hot under the collar when I keep reading posts saying don't buy such-and-such a phone unless you're prepared to shell out for a dedicated amp; it just won't work. It probably will work and work very well; it just may not work to the optimum that a dedicated $1000 amp may do. And I emphasis "may".
As for the remark about limited functions, possibly that's a reference to lack of switching facilities, lack of tone controls or just the fact that a HP amp can only be used for HPs; if you happen to also use speakers you still need an integrated. To my mind the greatest advantage of HP amps is that they use so little power; but again, that's only if you don't own speakers.
Happy Camper
Headphoneus Supremus
Quote:
| Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif The same reason people drive Ferraris and not Civics - performance, versatility, power output. ......... |
I'm with ting.mike on this, if the HP out of your CD player or amp is good, a cheap amp wont help things. You'd need a better DAC and amp costing quite a bit more for a significant difference to be noticed.
El_Doug
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Quote:
By that same token, I've used the headphone-out of my $2000 marantz integrated, and found that it was far inferior to many mid-tier headphones amps.
i do not think cost alone can be used as a generalization, when determining when the need for a headamp arises
| Originally Posted by Currawong /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm with ting.mike on this, if the HP out of your CD player or amp is good, a cheap amp wont help things. You'd need a better DAC and amp costing quite a bit more for a significant difference to be noticed. |
By that same token, I've used the headphone-out of my $2000 marantz integrated, and found that it was far inferior to many mid-tier headphones amps.
i do not think cost alone can be used as a generalization, when determining when the need for a headamp arises
skyline889
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Quote:
Google Krell FBI.
This issue of separates being better has long been contested as you are in fact adding more interruptions in the signal path. If implemented properly, an integrated can sound just as good as separates, if not better. The problem is that many companies cut corners on certain areas (Usually in the pre-amp section) in order to decrease costs and size; this is not true for all integrated amps however. The same issue comes up when discussing the transport/DAC rage of the '90s compared to single box players.
| Originally Posted by musicman59 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The same reason why having a pair of monoblock amplifiers is better than 1 stereo amplifier and the former better than an integrated amplifier. They are design specifically to perform one function. They also have more output power that translated in voicecoil control which translates in better sound. |
Google Krell FBI.
This issue of separates being better has long been contested as you are in fact adding more interruptions in the signal path. If implemented properly, an integrated can sound just as good as separates, if not better. The problem is that many companies cut corners on certain areas (Usually in the pre-amp section) in order to decrease costs and size; this is not true for all integrated amps however. The same issue comes up when discussing the transport/DAC rage of the '90s compared to single box players.
I suppose I will have to save up and buy another dedicated HP amp to A/B against the NAD. I hope amp manufacturers pay more attention to the headphone out on the amp as to avoid the necessity of purchasing more components.
kboe
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I now prefer the simpler (KISS) systems, the holy triad if you will of 1-source, 2-amp, 3-headphone/speaker. So if I, like you, could be happy with the NAD->headphones, don't question it.
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