Will this amp really make that much of a difference?

[Anti-Hero]

im looking to get this amp for a new pair of alessandro ms-1's i just bought. i heard that they're better with an amp but i dont wanna spend to much, and i'd want something battery powered so i can take it with me.

so, forgive my newbieness and tell me what you think of my plan.

 

[Punnisher]

I'd save your money. They will sound killer out of any mp3 player.

Low end Grados are great but you are better off either:

1. Saving the money for high(er) end headphones.
2. Saving the money for a desktop amp.
3. All of the above.

I suppose I'm a bit of a hypocrite since I use a portable amp often, but If I were on a tight budget I would leave a portable amp out of the equation and focus on getting a good mp3 player and good headphones. That, and investing in a home setup.

 

[olblueyez]

Should work fine. Only draw back with the Bithead is the lack of a recharging circuit so if using it with a computer then some re-chargeable batteries would be in order because it will run without batteries (Via USB) but not at full output power.

 

[inukage0029]

I agree with Punnisher. Save for a better amp to make the MS-1s truly sing. I am totally against the route of spending money on anything that doesnt make a significant difference, and i dont think the bithead will do enough to be worth the price tag, not with some of the really good amps out there in the slightly higher price range

 

[Anti-Hero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by inukage0029 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree with Punnisher. Save for a better amp to make the MS-1s truly sing. I am totally against the route of spending money on anything that doesnt make a significant difference, and i dont think the bithead will do enough to be worth the price tag, not with some of the really good amps out there in the slightly higher price range

Makes sense to me. But as you may have guessed im a total noob at this stuff. so what amp out there would you recommend? keeping in mind i definetly need portable, or else i may just skip it for a while.

 

[lucky]

You don't need an amp for those phones. Save the money for new phones and enjoy these in the meantime.

 

[.coco]

If you can still find one of the Creek OBH-11's for cheap, you should look into that. It is a pretty good cheaper amp.

 

[geremy]

In what way is the total bithead deficient? I was thinking about getting one too. I have heard it is very similar parts-wise to the RSA predator, which seems to be the current top rated portable amp/usb dac. It also has a cutoff light and can be powered via USB, which are big plusses for me.

 

[Infoseeker]

All the possible noise from your headphones should come out maximally with just your sources headphone jack.
At that point, an amp will just make the headphones sound different. (think the knob in your car that changes the sound's bass/treble/etc.)
First see if you like how they sound already, then see what you feel you want changed about it. And find an amp that has such attributes for itself.

 

[Rick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infoseeker /img/forum/go_quote.gif All the noise from your headphones should come out maximally with just your sources headphone jack. At that point, an amp will just make the headphones sound different. (think the knob in your car that changes the sound's bass/treble/etc.)

Are you kidding me? amps don't just make headphones louder........they make them sound as they're supposed to. an unamped headphone is like a car out of gas and running on fumes. *putt putt* *putt putt*

 

[Infoseeker]

Thanks for the catch. I mean to say for his situation; relative to his 32 Ohm headphones.

 

[mbd2884]

If you want to get a portable headphone amp but with the most bang for the buck.

Look at the iBasso D2, Skylab a reputable reviewer here has them ranked pretty decently against other portables.

What you get: A DAC, using the tried proven method, PCM2706 USB I2S to a Wolfson 8740 D/A. The amp will be plenty good to make your MS-1 sound awesome.

To what Erik pointed out, the D2 uses Li battery and is recharged when you connect via USB, which will also feed into your DAC at the same time.

Best of all its only $216, and has a clean, simple but attractive appearance. Its says out of stock on their website, but they have some resellers who sell at the same listed price.

iBasso

 

[scytheavatar]

Instead of spending on a better source I think you are better off spending on a better headphone first, i.e the SR225 or MS2. You'll get more bang/buck that way.

 

[inukage0029]

if you DO want a nice cheap amp, look into the Mini^3

great amp, unbeatable price

 

[plonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsma /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you kidding me? amps don't just make headphones louder........they make them sound as they're supposed to. an unamped headphone is like a car out of gas and running on fumes. *putt putt* *putt putt*

there is some headphones i think that don't benefit from amplification . it maybe will make a little change but don't worth the money.