Decent Headphone Amplifier

[zlashed]

I recently purchased some Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones. The sound is very high quality but the only problem is the volume. Even on max it just doesn't seem to be loud enough for me. I'm looking for a decent headphone amplifier that can sufficiently raise the volume (I only need a little bit) without sacrificing any sound quality. My main computer is a desktop not a laptop so this amp does not need to be portable or small, as long as it raises the volume and sounds good everything is fine. If you have any suggestions for nice amps, please post. Thanks in advance.

[alexs2]

Hi...welcome to the forums.

There are headphone amps to suit pretty much every budget.

As a starter,I'd suggest you search here on "headphone amp" using the search facility on the page,to get an idea of what's available,and what might suit your budget.

You havent specified what you may be willing to spend,so it may be worth also placing an idea of budget in the thread.

[zlashed]

Thanks a lot for the speedy reply alexs2. I decided to leave budget out of the post because of how little I know about headphone amps. At this point the price isn't as important as the effectiveness of the product. No matter what the price I'd just like to know what amp would suit my needs. I hope for it to retain the sound quality, and to raise the volume slightly. Once again thanks for the reply and I'll be sure to do that search you mentioned.

[alexs2]

The DT880s are very decent closed back phones and should serve very well.

Amps can vary from as little as £50 for entry level or kit amps,through the chinese amps,both solid state and tubed from £100-200 and then upwards through the good ones.

The Slee is a favourite and offers excellent quality at around £350 up and can be upgraded with a proper PSU,and from there up you have things like the Sugden Headmaster,Naim Headline and quite a few others.

Since you are based in the USA,you might look at the Headroom amps as well as Ray Samuels and I would also suggest a trawl through the US based HeadFi forum,which is much more oriented towards what you would be able to buy.
If you want something truly good,the Grace amp is a combined DAC and headphone amp,as is the Benchmark DAC-1

[zlashed]

What is the difference between a high end amp and an entry level amp? As long as it sufficiently raises the volume what other factors for the quality of the amp are there?

[zlashed]

To add to my last post, the only features I require from this amp is increasing the volume of the music flowing from my motherboard to my headphones. I need no splitting, no distribution, no equalizers, nothing. The only thing I require is that it makes the music louder, and it doesn't make it sound worse in the process. Thanks for all previous responses and nobody should hesitate to respond.

[alexs2]

The main differences are as you'd expect in the clarity and quality of the sound,plus the ability to cope better when the level is higher etc etc.

Basically if you like,the same overall sound,but better quality and detail.

How far you want to go down that route,only you can decide.

In the US,you could do a lot worse than look at the Headroom amps which would cover pretty much all of your needs,and every conceivable budget level as well.

[LFC_SL]

My RSA Tomahawk portable headphone amp tightens the bass and gives it more impact, highs are tamed and there is greater instrument separation and clarity. Saying all of that though I do still think it is quite a neutral amp. I prefer my headphones to colour the sound

A decent amp can improve the sound as part of a whole setup. Indeed there are home and portable amps for all budgets. But you do not say what sound card you have on your PC and what you use as a source

Just about any amp would increase the volume. But if you are looking for more than members I am sure will be quick to offer suggestions

[zlashed]

Thanks for the info LFC_Sl. I do not have a sound card but I do have a high end motherboard with good on board audio. This my motherboard here -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188024

I don't necessarily need the amp to improve the sound quality as it is already very good. I just hope it can increase the volume without losing any sound quality in the process. I hope this new information will help me get some suggestions. Thanks a lot for the help so far.

[zlashed]

I've been thinking it over and I've decided that i may be misguided in my search. According to my needs, I believe that instead of an amp, I might want to go for a sound card or something like this -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102009

If I am wrong about this and I should probably go for an amp instead, feel free to correct me and recommend and amp. If you think I may be right about this, don't hesitate to confirm my thoughts. Thanks in advance.

[StevieDvd]

Perhaps what may suit is a usb headphone amp (or amp/dac).

By this I mean a unit which acts both as an external soundcard and as a good amplifier. As such you can get very good sound from your pc or laptop.

If you use a latop then you'll probably want something small'ish.

At the cheaper end I'd suggest an Ibasso unit.

On the other end either the Ray Samuels Predator or Headamp Pico.

Ibasso
Headamp
Ray Samuels


You may want to peruse the other products on the sites and visit head-fi.org for a mass of reviews of them.

Steve

[zlashed]

Thanks for the reply StevieDvd. I've been checking out other forums and have been given similar suggestions. I've decided upon two possible choices. A Zero Dac/Amp -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZERO-24BIT-192KH...2em118Q2el1247

Or a new sound card -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271003

However, I have a few questions about each. With the $35.00 for shipping, the Zero Dac/Amp will cost about the same as the sound card. It depends on which one will sound better. From what I am seeing the Zero looks like it would sound significantly better than the sound card. However I am not 100% sure and I don't know whether it would be as simple. If anyone has knowledge of both please don't hesitate to fill me in and suggest one or the other. I await your replies, thanks.

[BigTone]

Originally Posted by zlashed

Thanks for the reply StevieDvd. I've been checking out other forums and have been given similar suggestions. I've decided upon two possible choices. A Zero Dac/Amp -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZERO-24BIT-192KH...2em118Q2el1247

Or a new sound card -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829271003

However, I have a few questions about each. With the $35.00 for shipping, the Zero Dac/Amp will cost about the same as the sound card. It depends on which one will sound better. From what I am seeing the Zero looks like it would sound significantly better than the sound card. However I am not 100% sure and I don't know whether it would be as simple. If anyone has knowledge of both please don't hesitate to fill me in and suggest one or the other. I await your replies, thanks.

To get the best out of you cans you will be much better off with a dedicated DAC/AMP than an upgraded soundcard, especially an internal.
The Zero is a decent DAC/AMP and will drive your cans really well, and give you all the volume you're going to need.

If you want to go with an upgraded soundcard, I'd pick an external USB (you really need to get the SC away from all that noise in your PC) such as the EMU 0202 or 0404 - but this is more expensive than the Zero, as they are both I/O cards.

BT

[Reano]

Originally Posted by BigTone

To get the best out of you cans you will be much better off with a dedicated DAC/AMP than an upgraded soundcard, especially an internal.
The Zero is a decent DAC/AMP and will drive your cans really well, and give you all the volume you're going to need.

If you want to go with an upgraded soundcard, I'd pick an external USB (you really need to get the SC away from all that noise in your PC) such as the EMU 0202 or 0404 - but this is more expensive than the Zero, as they are both I/O cards.

BT

M-Audio, Terratec and EMU cards or the top of the range x-fi pro (both emu and x-fi are creative) cards are very good and should do all you require.

Some things to consider with PC sound are as follows:-

1) Enable specturm spread in bios (helps reduce noise). <-- usually in advanced mode.
2) Make sure you have a good power supply.
3) Try and get a card (hence the x-fi pro) with a good break out box so you can keep it away from unwanted electronic intereference
4) When you get the card do not enable any unboard processing (unless your playing games that need some 3d sound). Ensure that it's bit setting is 44.1khz (will be in the settings in manual).

These cards can normally drive most headphones to deafening levels.

[zlashed]

BigTone, is this the EMU you are talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/E-MU-Professio...0039768&sr=8-3

If so, the price looks good and I will definitely consider buying one. So you believe this will provide great sound quality and be able to drive my DT880s sufficiently?