[Jasper994]

So here's another NOOB question. If a headphone amp simply gives you a clean boosted signal from a line out rather than trying to use the crappy headphone jack on a portable or receiver, what's the difference between the headphone amps that they sell at Guitar Center (sorry don't know which brands but they sell for the 50-300 range, and the stuff you'd get at say Headroom? Just better components?

I'm currently interested in driving HD590's, HD 280 Pro's, PX 100's and MX 500's. All of which sound good off of my AudioTrak Opto play, but need something for when I don't want the computer/laptop on. Also, if the sound quality is really much better it'd be nice if the amp would take toslink as well as analog input so I could connect my computer/laptop to it.

Also does anyone know where they sell headphone amps retail? I live in the Southbay area of Southern California and the only place that has any headphone amps at all is Guitar Center and I'm not sure those are the right kind (the one the guy showed me had 4 outputs and the ones I've seen here and at Headroom only have one).

I know I sound like the total noob here, but everybody has to start somewhere

 

[usc goose]

the difference is component mix, design, and audiophile voodoo. i've never noticed headphone amps at guitar center. you mean like on those monitor boards?

oh and what's toslink?

 

[usc goose]

well now that you've made your edit, yeah, i know the headphone amps you're talking about. never tried em but i think you'd probably be better served with something designed for audiophile listening rather than just monitoring.

 

[Jasper994]

Uh well they had what seemed like a dedicated headphone amp (little box 6"x6"x2" w/only headphone jacks as well as some rack mountalbe stuff that were labled headphone amps)

Toslink is optical.

 

[usc goose]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jasper994 Uh well they had what seemed like a dedicated headphone amp (little box 6"x6"x2" w/only headphone jacks as well as some rack mountalbe stuff that were labled headphone amps) Toslink is optical.

yeah, they're dedicated headphone amps but i think they're made so you and your band members can hear the track being laid down not for audiophiles at home.

the only headphone amp i know with toslink then is the amp for the orpheus. and those are kind of pricey.

 

[Jasper994]

LOL yeah just a little...

so what would you recommend for around $100-200?

BTW I'm not the most trusting of online purchases, so do you know of anything local?

 

[usc goose]

i don't know anywhere around los angeles that sells headphone amps. and if they did they probably wouldn't be in your price range. headroom is awesome and has the airhead and total airhead for sale i think. that or you can get someone to build you a diy amp or look on the for sale forum but i don't think you're going to get anything from a brick and mortar shop. almost everything headphone related all of us bye online.

 

[Jasper994]

Hey thanks for the help. Have you heard the Airhead or Total Airhead? It doesn't seem like a lot of people like them. Plus I'm not too sure I want an amp that is battery dependant... I hate batteries!

Oops sorry, but I just went back to the site and noticed that the Total Airhead will take AC...

But does it really sound that great?

 

[usc goose]

i had an airhead for my first amp and used a radioshack ac adaptor with it. it started me on the road. but yeah, they aren't that well regarded here. i thought it sounded great at the time i had i've discovered more since. in your price range a meta42 seems to be the thing to get. PM JMT or go to tigger's site in mall-fi seem to be the most popular ways to get them.

 

[Wilson M.]

It's the commercial versus diy debate.

HeadRoom is a full company with lots of different costs in their operation so an amp that they sell for $100-200 will only have a certain percentage of it going towards the actual materials.

A DIY guy can build a superior amp for the same money because most of that money goes into the materials for the amp and a bit for labour.

Both the Grace 901 and Benchmark DAC-1 support Toslink but they are still expensive ($1500 and $850). At least it's better than the Orpheus.

A DIY amp is your best bet to get good bang for the buck.

 

[Jasper994]

Who would be good to talk to for a DIY that's got a good reputation?

What DIY amps would you recommend?

Does anyone have an opinion on the Porta Corda?


Wilson - How's the weather? I'm home sick, I hate southern cal! it's too freaking hot... I used to live in Maple Valley and then in Des Moines (Washington). My friends and I used to hang out at the Shark Club in Kirkland... I miss the rain... I really miss the cold... okay I better stop... before I start getting really homesick...

 

[Wilson M.]

I haven't heard enough DIY amps to make a credible suggestion. But there are plenty of people who have. goose's suggestion of looking at the Mall-Fi forum is good. There are a couple of guys who build DIY amps and as far as I know, the ones there are dependable. JMT from all accounts is awesome. Good quality and prompt service.

Should be able to do a search on the Porta Corda. Plenty of user experience here on that amp.

The weather has been pretty nice for the past few months. I think it's only rained a couple of times during that time. It's gotten to about 85 degrees on some days but most days have been 70-80 so pretty tame.

Maple Valley is nice. PPL and binary_digit live out there right now. I'm not so sure about Des Moines though.

The Shark Club is decent but I'm too old for that kind of stuff.