WANTED Headphone Amp

[Mr Pig]

Just when I see them mentioned on another thread,

I'm looking for a cheap headphone amp. Something like the QED one that was out years ago, they come up on eBay but I just thought I'd ask in case anyone has one kicking around.

Thank you :0)

[Rare Bird]

Hi Colin
I find headphone amps such an hard thing to buy.. I was looking at a Rega Ear nice ally facia but have no idea what it sounds like.

[Mr Pig]

I'm just looking for a cheap used one. I don't need great sound quality, just not junk.

You can buy cheap ones from China on eBay but I'd rather get something a few years old and a bit more solid.

[StanleyB]

What's an acceptable price for a headphone amp? I hope to have my own design ready in the 2nd quarter of 2011, but don't want it to cost even a penny above £99.99 delivered within the EU.
However, price snobbery dictates that if I charge £299.99 instead, the product won't be looked down upon as a level entry headphone amp.
So do I overcharge in order to get street cred, or something else...?

[Mr Pig]

What's an acceptable price for a headphone amp?

Well in my case about thirty quid! The only reason I need one is that the Firestone DAC doesn't have a headphone socket, and my son needs one to use headphones whilst playing the drums.

The annoying thing is that we bought the Firestone because it was on offer during December and looks like a good DAC. Had I checked your web site I would've seen that the 7520 was also on offer and would actually have been cheaper!

He got a Tascam Portastudio for Christmas that has a headphone socket but he wants a simpler plug-and-go solution.

[StanleyB]

The annoying thing is that we bought the Firestone because it was on offer during December and looks like a good DAC. Had I checked your web site I would've seen that the 7520 was also on offer and would actually have been cheaper!

It won't do you much good now, but many headphone users have bought one of my DACs purely to use as a headphone amp after they tried out far more expensive stand alone versions.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Colin what about one of these things

http://www.rock-grotto.co.uk/B-tech.htm

They are pretty cheap...

Or you could make a cmoy ... I have some bits to make one ... When I can find a bit of time ... They look simple enough even for me to make ...

Or one of these ... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Valve-Class-A-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-preamp-audio-US1_W0QQitemZ250751431646QQcategoryZ12050QQvarZQQc mdZViewItem

A couple of people round here have had one and I think they said they were fairly ok for the money with the right headphones ..

[Mr Pig]

Many headphone users have bought one of my DACs purely to use as a headphone amp

That's one of the great things about your DACs, the flexibility. I can't think of any other DAC which has the same range of inputs, outputs and features. Certainly nothing at the price.


Colin what about one of these things

They both look promising, thank you. I've seen lots of cheap Chinese headphone amps obviously but you don't know which ones are good and which just rubbish.

To be honest, the quality is not very important. All he uses phones for is drumming. Drums are properly loud. The only way he can play along with music is to use closed-back headphones which cut some of the drum noise out. in fact he's talking about getting pro ones as the domestic headphones he's using don't curtail the volume enough.

So it's just to hear the track enough to be able to play along with it, it's not critical listening. That B-tech one looks like it might be just the job :0)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Colin ... If you can stretch to one of these ...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Indeed-Headphone-Tube-Pre-Amplifier-6N23P-G2-Class-AUK_W0QQitemZ250749065454QQcategoryZ3280QQvarZQQcm dZViewItem

I'm told they are better than the bravo one ...

But it looks like the btech is the answer anyway ...
They actually have them on eBay for less than £30 :)

[StanleyB]

They both look promising, thank you. I've seen lots of cheap Chinese headphone amps obviously but you don't know which ones are good and which just rubbish.
I have tried quite a few of the Chinese ones, and none of them have been worth listening to for more than 5 minutes.



To be honest, the quality is not very important. All he uses phones for is drumming. Drums are properly loud. The only way he can play along with music is to use closed-back headphones which cut some of the drum noise out. in fact he's talking about getting pro ones as the domestic headphones he's using don't curtail the volume enough.
The only good sealed headphones I know of are the Pioneer, Denon, and Technics DJ headphones. They fall in the £80 to £150 price range on eBay.



That B-tech one looks like it might be just the job.
In standard form it is terrible. In modded form it can sound extremely good. I have one that I modded many years ago. If you get the B-Tech one and he wants it upgraded to a better performer, get in touch and I'll quote you on the parts and return postage plus a few beers.

[Mr Pig]

If you get the B-Tech one and he wants it upgraded to a better performer, get in touch and I'll quote you on the parts and return postage plus a few beers.

Sounds like it covers all bases, I'll run that past him. Although to be honest, as long as he can hear the track I think he'll be happy! Thanks for the advice on the phones too. The main criteria with those is the noise blocking. Again, sound quality is secondary.


Colin ... If you can stretch to one of these ...

Looks quite mad but I'll run it past him ;0)

[Pete The Cat]

What's an acceptable price for a headphone amp? I hope to have my own design ready in the 2nd quarter of 2011, but don't want it to cost even a penny above £99.99 delivered within the EU.
However, price snobbery dictates that if I charge £299.99 instead, the product won't be looked down upon as a level entry headphone amp.
So do I overcharge in order to get street cred, or something else...?

When I originally researched cans I felt that the most credible entry level amp unit was the Creek OBH11. Lots of kudos from Head-Fi members (my main reason for buying) and a brand associated with quality. Took a punt and didn't look back, and it's a bit over £100 new.

Pete

[ReggieB]

When I originally researched cans I felt that the most credible entry level amp unit was the Creek OBH11. Lots of kudos from Head-Fi members (my main reason for buying) and a brand associated with quality. Took a punt and didn't look back, and it's a bit over £100 new.

I picked up an OBH11 on ebay over Christmas, and I'm very pleased with it. A significant upgrade to the cheap Bravo valve head amp it has replaced. More detail, but also I'm finding it easier to listen for long periods. I use mine at work, and therefore often listen all day.

[Mr Pig]

He's seen a Beringer one for £20 !! I think it looks junk, a lot of Beringer stuff is, and it's only ten pounds cheaper than the b-tech. He's quite tight ;0)