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Thread: Headphone amp

  1. #1
    Join Date: Nov 2011

    Location: Wakefield west yorkshire

    Posts: 1,930
    I'm James.

    Default Headphone amp

    Its probably been asked before but is a dedicated headphone amp worth it? I have a headphone out on my Arcam A39 and my server and both seem fine to me. I'm not all that keen on using headphones but seem to have to use them more these days so, any views? Jim
    novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

    Posts: 6,869
    I'm Lawrence.

    Default

    When I first got one I wondered why people bother. But over time as I've upgraded my headphones and spent more time listening with them, my answer is an emphatic yes, if you use them enough and care enough about SQ when using them.

    If you can never get used to the "in the head" sound, and only use them out of necessity, then I wouldn't bother (though a good amp could change your mind).

  3. #3
    Join Date: Nov 2011

    Location: Wakefield west yorkshire

    Posts: 1,930
    I'm James.

    Default

    Thank you
    novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player

  4. #4
    Join Date: Aug 2012

    Location: North East

    Posts: 3,670
    I'm Steve.

    Default

    If you go that root may i suggest you look no further than NJC.

  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Notts

    Posts: 2,743
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    I have an iFi Zen Dac which I use exclusively as a headphone amp. It is especially good when using the 4.4m balanced output. I bought a balanced cable for my Hifiman HE 400i headphones and it has transformed their performance.
    Last edited by Sherwood; 10-11-2022 at 10:05.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Nov 2011

    Location: Wakefield west yorkshire

    Posts: 1,930
    I'm James.

    Default

    Thanks for the replies
    novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2008

    Location: U.S.A. Neo-Socialist Kalifornski

    Posts: 3,262

    Default

    Yes, with out question.
    The better the headphones the more obvious it is.
    Dynamics , Detail, sound stage .
    For me tubes are a must for long sessions.
    Jeff :UBERTHREADKILLER

  8. #8
    Join Date: Dec 2018

    Location: London

    Posts: 182
    I'm Greg.

    Default

    Definitely worth it!

    I have 4 out of which I regularly use 2. Go for class A too. The heat is not a big issue with the power needed to run headphones.
    As for the "in the head sound" mentioned by Lawrence, see whether you like cross feed.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jun 2015

    Location: London/Durham

    Posts: 6,869
    I'm Lawrence.

    Default

    I've had a few Meier audio amps and liked the crossfeed function. I think you can do it with some music players on laptop/PC too.

  10. #10
    Join Date: Apr 2010

    Location: Bristol, since 1978. Current house since 1996!

    Posts: 909
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    For years I used my Wharfedale Isodynamic phones from the speaker outlet of a Hafler amp as the phones are rather inefficient,so I had the same thought.The only thought I had was that it might affect the frequency somehow.
    Even now,with my Ether 2 phones,I have an extension lead that runs from speaker output (though into a box with resistor which is probably to prevent overload?)
    Is there any 'electrical' reason for a dedicated amp, is perhaps the question.
    Chris.

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