Haedphone Amp with Cambridge Audio A5

[jparamor]

I've recently installed a new set of separates (turntable, tape deck, DAB tuner, CD) driving speakers through a Cambridge Audio A5 amp. Of course, the A5 doesn't have a headphone socket, so I'm looking at getting something like a Pro-Ject Headbox II to drive my Sennheiser headphones. Is this the right approach? Assuming that it is, where do I place the Headbox in the circuit? I'm thinking that I'd place it in the loop between the A5 & the tape deck. If so, should it go on the output side of the tape deck?

All advice would be welcomed. Thanks.

[alexs2]

The Headbox is a pretty decent headphone amp,although you could also take a look at the Creek and Amber,and possibly used versions of the MF Xcans at least for comparisons.

As to where to place it....if your amp has a preamp out,that would be the ideal place,and failing that,as you've mentioned,using the tape out would work fine.

Ideally,you'd have it sited before the tape deck,but it may make your wiring etc a little complicated.

[pbirkett]

I've never heard one, however, the general consensus on the web seems to be that the Headbox is quite poor, so I'd at least recommend an audition before you commit to it, to see how you can live with it.

[alexs2]

Perhaps I should have qualified that comment of mine with..."decent for the price"!

[PaulBoy]

As the Headbox II sells for under £100 I presume that is your budget (?)
You might be lucky and find something 2nd hand like Paul suggested but having just been through a similar search (I was after a headphone amp for @ £200) I considered the Music Fidelity X-Can v3 ; ANT Amber ; Gilmore Lite before deciding to spend a bit more & go for a Meier Corda Aria -
At the risk of similar damage to your wallet take a trip to www.head-fi.org which is the best headphone / amp forum in the universe (plenty of threads there on the Headbox II & similar amps) ... Paul

[pbirkett]

^^ Ah its a pity you didnt go for the Amber very under appreciated amp IMHO

[StevieDvd]

The Ant was probably let down by the casing, looks do matter to some especially if the amp is on display.

Still it'll get a makeover soon and I may just keep it in my stable of amps.

Steve

[pbirkett]

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

The Ant was probably let down by the casing, looks do matter to some especially if the amp is on display.

So true, it is an ugly little ****er!

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

The Ant was probably let down by the casing, looks do matter to some especially if the amp is on display.
Still it'll get a makeover soon and I may just keep it in my stable of amps.
Steve

Yes the "look" of the ANT was a big deciding factor in the end although I also didnt think the sound was that great with my HD600's - I might feel the same way about the Aria but felt I could justify the extra expense to find out (Damn You Head-Fi ) - It certainly has the looks & the features (including an onboard DAC) - Keep em peeled here & at Head-Fi for the verdict
Paul

[pbirkett]

Seems to work best with Beyers. I didnt like it too much with the Senn HD650 as it did nothing to liven them up (which they need)... but with brighter headphones it seems to work better.

The Corda probably will work better - I had an HA-1 and it was a better match for the Senns than the ANT.