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Thread: Headphone amps, are they bollocks?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Aug 2012

    Location: North East

    Posts: 3,670
    I'm Steve.

    Default Headphone amps, are they bollocks?

    Well?
    It may be that my nearly 60 years old ears are passed their best but I have been listening to my headphones via numerous amplification devices lately and it has to be said that of the stand alone headphone amps I have listened to sound no better than on board headphone outputs. Starting to think there is a little snake oil in it all to be honest.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: Valley of the Hazels

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    I'm AMusicFanNotAnAudiophile.

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    The mists in my crystal ball are not clearing to show which devices you have been listening to.
    Pray do tell ....
    Chris



    Common sense isn't anymore!

  3. #3
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

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    I'm Grant.

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    and what cans? ive 2 head amps and both are excellent to my ears
    Regards,
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  4. #4
    Join Date: Aug 2012

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    I'm Steve.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stratmangler View Post
    The mists in my crystal ball are not clearing to show which devices you have been listening to.
    Pray do tell ....
    I listened to a Schiit valve headphone amp, a Slee Novo, a little bear valve hpa, my Audiolap 8000C pre amp a vintage Pioneer and Trio integrated amps and a NAD 3020.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: Valley of the Hazels

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    I've heard the headphone output from a NAD3020 and it was shite.
    My NAD C320BEE is a lot better than its elder stable mate, and both are shown a clean set of heels by my GSP Solo SRGII with PSU1.

    Which leads me to conclude that yer ears are fooked
    Chris



    Common sense isn't anymore!

  6. #6
    Join Date: Mar 2010

    Location: Sheffield

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    I'm Simon.

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    You're going deaf, or using very easily driven phones.
    Kuzma Stabi/S 12", (LP12-bastard) DC motor and optical tacho psu, Benz LP, Paradise (phonostage). MB-Pro, Brooklyn dac and psu, Bruno Putzeys balanced pre, mod86p dual mono amps, Yamaha NS1000m

  7. #7
    Join Date: Aug 2012

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    I'm Steve.

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    I use Sennheiser HD600 with stock cable. I agree about the 3020. My Audiolab pre amp is pretty good though as was the aged Trio amp borrowed from a pal. According to my most recent hearing test last December they are in pretty good shape. I also use Grado SR225 headphones which are a tad more open and exciting. I remain sceptical about stand alone headphone devices.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Mar 2010

    Location: Sheffield

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    I'm Simon.

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    Grado are an easy drive and the fr is awful. Try something neutral. Youll hear the difference
    Kuzma Stabi/S 12", (LP12-bastard) DC motor and optical tacho psu, Benz LP, Paradise (phonostage). MB-Pro, Brooklyn dac and psu, Bruno Putzeys balanced pre, mod86p dual mono amps, Yamaha NS1000m

  9. #9
    Join Date: Nov 2008

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    I've not heard the HD-600s.
    Are they anything like the HD-650s?
    If so, that could well be why you can't hear any real differences between amplifiers.

    I have heard HD-560s, and they're far more accurate than the HD-650s.
    Chris



    Common sense isn't anymore!

  10. #10
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: Near Oxford

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    I'm Bill.

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    I use HD600's and I think I may have come to the same conclusion.
    I have used the following with them-
    Heed Canamp
    Rega Ear
    Lehmann Linear
    Dragonfly Red
    Caiman SEG

    The Dragonfly and the SEG have sounded the best and are probably the weakest as far as HP amps go. I have come to the conclusion that the HP amp only offers a volume control to the 600's and doesn't seem to add much else.
    Chord Mojo / Sennheiser HD600

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