Headphone Amp For Computer Use?

msg

I'm looking for a headphone amp to use with my computer at the office. mostly just need something that will give me volume, bass and treble control. I've been using some speakers for years, but they're starting to give me some intermittent buzzing/clicking/popping. it's the speakers not the headphones, as I've check them plugged in directly to the computer headphone jack and they work okay.

AsSiMiLaTeD

It all depends on how much you want to spend, for starters check out the Fiio E09 over on Amazon

msg

hmm. I'm looking for something with bass/treble controls. I don't see them on that one?

Libertyc

Never tried one but check it out.

http://www.bravoaudio.com/bravo3.html

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm fairly certain the Fiio has an EQ so should have the controls you want

msg

Libertyc wrote: »

Never tried one but check it out.
http://www.bravoaudio.com/bravo3.html

hey, that looks pretty cool. a mini tube amp.
I've been poking around a bit. seems like there's a bunch of these sort of things out there?

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I'm fairly certain the Fiio has an EQ so should have the controls you want

man, I must be missing something. I'm just not seeing it.

WLDock

Parts express has a nice selection all in one place:

http://www.parts-express.com/cat/headphone-amplifiers/3445?N=11495%204294967118&Ne=10166&No=0&Nrpp=16&Nrs=collection()/record[endeca:matches(.,%22P_PortalID%22,%221%22)%20and%20endeca:matches(.,%22P_Searchable%22,%221%22)]&PortalID=1

sucks2beme

If you are using PC based playback, shouldn't EQ be available at that level????
I have the extended EQ running in Foobar and it works well.

cnh

sucks2beme wrote: »

If you are using PC based playback, shouldn't EQ be available at that level????
I have the extended EQ running in Foobar and it works well.

Good point! I have the higher model Bravo amp, it has NO equalization even though it is their TOTL. Still pretty cheap though. If I have to equalize anything I do use PC software to do that, but most of the time EQ is unnecessary.

Those Bravos are a lot of bang for the buck but they will get HOT and you have the option of changing out your tubes. They WILL power all but the MOST difficult loads fine and are pretty musical, tone down any digital brightness.

cnh

ViperZ

I am rolling this guy at work:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MUSE-TU-20-EH6922-smallest-Tube-Preamp-Headphone-Amplifier-Sliver-/120940967370

And most sound cards come with software, which has software equalizer.

eeagle

IMHO a DAC is the first requirement for improving PC sound. I would look for a DAC/AMP combo.

Checkout my favoirte DAC/Amp available again now on Massdrop.com the Aune T!

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/aune-t1-amp-dac-combo

msg

WLDock wrote: »

Parts express has a nice selection all in one place:
http://www.parts-express.com/cat/headphone-amplifiers/3445?N=11495%204294967118&Ne=10166&No=0&Nrpp=16&Nrs=collection()/record[endeca:matches(.,%22P_PortalID%22,%221%22)%20and%20endeca:matches(.,%22P_Searchable%22,%221%22)]&PortalID=1

yes, they do have a pretty wide selection!

sucks2beme wrote: »

If you are using PC based playback, shouldn't EQ be available at that level????
I have the extended EQ running in Foobar and it works well.

I only have the basic soundcard that came with the computer; it doesn't seem to have any controls. I remember way back when you had to buy sound cards separately, they usually came with some bells and whistles and some blocky looking front end gui, heheh
plus, I kinda like having knobs or sliders. was just curious.

cnh wrote: »

Good point! I have the higher model Bravo amp, it has NO equalization even though it is their TOTL. Still pretty cheap though. If I have to equalize anything I do use PC software to do that, but most of the time EQ is unnecessary.
Those Bravos are a lot of bang for the buck but they will get HOT and you have the option of changing out your tubes. They WILL power all but the MOST difficult loads fine and are pretty musical, tone down any digital brightness.
cnh

which amp is this? from Parts Express? this one? If so, NICE!
http://www.parts-express.com/bravo-audio-ocean-mini-valve-class-a-tube-headphone-amplifier--310-352

ViperZ wrote: »

I am rolling this guy at work:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MUSE-TU-20-EH6922-smallest-Tube-Preamp-Headphone-Amplifier-Sliver-/120940967370
And most sound cards come with software, which has software equalizer.

that is NICE!
I'll look again, I kinda just poked around quickly; it's an integrated sound card; nothing major. I've always just used the tone controls on my speakers with the headphone jack, but there's some weird intermittent buzzing/clicking/interference coming through now. not sure what's up with them.

eeagle wrote: »

IMHO a DAC is the first requirement for improving PC sound. I would look for a DAC/AMP combo.
Checkout my favoirte DAC/Amp available again now on Massdrop.com the Aune T!
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/aune-t1-amp-dac-combo

man, that's a cool one, too.


I think I have some old Creative Labs sound cards kicking around at the office. I remember some of them had 5.1 outputs, not that I'll need that for headphones. I'll have to see what they're all about. never paid much attention to them before.

j1mmy

The tube amps are very cool

AsSiMiLaTeD

Fiio e07k or e17