any recommendations for headphone amp?

[kensuguro]

I've been wanting a proper amp for headphones but haven't been able to identify what it is I want. I'm not really looking for a audiophile thingy, but just something useful while I track and inevitably mix on my cans. I used to use focusrite's VRM box since all I needed to do was plug it into USB. Something convenient like that. Otherwise I just plug straight into the laptop headphone jacks... so obviously I'm not shooting for the stars here, just something better than a laptop jack. I currently use AKG K240, which works pretty well on any regular phone jack. I'm going to get a K702 which seems to need more juice.

[dante]

Something like Behringer Micromon MA400 ?

Behringer Headphone Amp.

behringer.jpg (9.99 KiB) Viewed 2524 times

[auntybiotic]

+1 on the behringer - i use the 4 channel for live band stuff all of the time and it works a treat

[braincell]

The M903 is only $1,600.

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m903/m903.htm


http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search. ... &Go=Search

[w_ellis]

I also have the HA400 (not the MA400): http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/HA400.aspx

Works a treat and great value at under £20 in the UK.

[kensuguro]

My K702 came in mail today, and I tested it on my focusrite saffire 6's jack, and it worked just fine. I guess a better quality amp won't help but seems to work good enough for me. The laptop jack was a total bust tho, couldn't get enough volume even when maxed out, but it is just a laptop jack after all. You might stone me for blasphemy, but my iPhone drove it just fine too. Had a good load of the The Who.

Compared to k240, k702 has much better attack. A notch more treble and weaker (but more defined) low end. I switched because for whatever reason, my right ear hits the inner pad on the k240, and starts to hurt after an hour or so. Strange how it wasn't a problem in the 10 years I've stuck with k240.. But k702 has ample space so the main problem is solved.

[petal]

A bit off topic, but I had a similar experience as Ken.
I used to use my AKG K-271 for years and although I liked the sound in them the fit was terrible. They pressed my ears into my skull and wasn't really comfortable to wear for many hours.
Now I use a pair of Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro which are in the same price range, has a better sound and they are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn.
As headphone amp I use the mackie mixer I have here in my home studio, which connects all my computers and other stuff I need to connect to my headphones at the same time

[kensuguro]

I think my right ear grew a bit in the past 10 years.

[petal]

I think I've always had big ears.

[Immanuel]

Worst headphones ever must be the t.bone HD990D from Thomann. They have hard flat "membranes" (there is likely a tactile transducer on the other side of the hard board). And these are only recessed 9 mm from the outer edge of the plastic/foam rings ... and those 9 mm gets even smaller, when the headphones squize in a bit at the head. Now WHO has ears which only protrudes less than 9 mm from the head???

A friend of mine had a Behringer headphone amp. His assessment was, that it was good for adding noise.

[quantum]

you can get a benchmark dac1 (not hdr or usb) or mytek dac96 for less than $600 and be done with it.

[hubird]

I'm using a AKG270 with closed cans without ear problems.
Only the useless finishing aluminium ring on both cans is stupid, as it always gets loose, on both ones I bought.
I remember Ken once reported the same issue on his type.

[kensuguro]

hey quantum, what's the deal with benchmark dac1s coming with sennheizer hd650? Are they specifically designed for hd650? Very extravagant solution tho.. $1k for just the unit..

[Eanna]

I use this:

http://www.presonus.com/products/hp4

Very decent and a good price...

[quantum]

hey quantum, what's the deal with benchmark dac1s coming with sennheizer hd650? Are they specifically designed for hd650? Very extravagant solution tho.. $1k for just the unit..

No they're not, it's just like a little gift that goes well in terms of ohms. You should go with the old DAC1 and if you don't like it sell it. The new ones are not very different, they just have different features. Sometimes more features means lower quality. I own a Lavry DA10 (second edition) and in terms of heaphone amp it's very neutral and very detailed, sometimes too sharp with poorly mixed songs that have no bass. The DAC1 can be used with any headphone, and I highly recommend Beyerdynamic DT770 80ohm or soundMAGIC HP100 for very flat sound with a little 3-5khz sharpness. I could never buy a heaphone if it had less bass, smoothness, and soundstage than the two I mentioned. Any DAC $500-1000 is all you will ever need in terms of listening. It's just up to you to choose the specific sound you like.

[kensuguro]

gotcha, thanks. I've heard of them before, just good to have a direct vouch.