Headphone Amps

audiobliss

I'd like you headphone gurus to share your thoughts on headphone amps. Later this year, after I get a pre and a CDP for my 2-channel rig, I'd like to start putting together a headphone rig.

I've been thinking about the ASL MG Head DT/OTL MKIII, as well as the Creek OBH-21/Creek OBH-21SE, and the Music Hall X-CAN V3. The Bellari VP129 also catches my attention.

If I were ready for a headphone amp now, I would definitely jump on the demo ASL AA has for sale at $270. But I'm sure that won't last 'til the end of the year!

What are your thoughts on the above headphone amps? I like the ASL, though I've read horrible things about their reliability. I also like the Creek amps, but I've read tons of negative comments on Creek's QC, CS, and sound over on head-fi.org. Does anybody think the diffeence between the OBH-21 and OBH-21SE justifies the price? Head-fi seems to recommend the X-CAN V3 pretty solidly, but is has a 'wall-wart' power supply and doesn't even have an on/off button? You just have to unplug it? The Bellari would be awesome because of it's price and the fact that it could double as a phono pre down the road when I add a TT. However, I don't know how well it fares as a headphone amp, and I don't know if you can use anything other than a TT as your source with the Bellari.

As far as I can tell from the specs, all the above seem to be able to drive all the Sennheisser and Grado headphones I've researched, which is good since I haven't listened to any and thus haven't decided which headphones it is I want.

Would it be advisable to decide on the headphones or the amp first?

Thanks!

scottyf

If you're interested, I can let you borrow my Headamp Gilmore V2. All I ask is that you pay for shipping and take good care of it....

mhardy6647

Build yourself one of these...



http://www.diyforums.org/millett.html
http://www.pmillett.com/hybrid_head.htm

RuSsMaN

The Bellari is a phono stage that happens to have a headphone output, it won't do you bit of good with a cd player.

Bag that ASL, and forget about your preamp for now. You are only using 1 source right now anyway (right), and that headamp has a line out to double as a linestage.

Shizelbs

Here are my thoughts;

Choose the headphone first. Its going to be the most influential on the overall sound and long term listenability. Its a word, look it up. Get your ears between as many different brands as you can. Sennheiser is my favorite to recommend, but check out Grado, Beyerdynamic, Audio Technica, Sony's TOL is supposedly good, but no Bose. Sennheisers are very comfortable. Grados sound very good too, but they are not worthy of long listening sessions due to the way they sit on the ear.

On to the amps;

You can forget about the Creek amps. Like you, I have never read anything good about them. Ever. Cross it off your list.

The MF XCan3, like you, I have read many good things about this can amp. You should be able to track down a MF resaler and they probably will have this tucked away somewhere that you can listen to it. This is on my short list of amps to upgrade to. I wouldn't worry about the wallwort. It does seem cheesy, but, it still gets good reviews.

If you need tubes, want an improvement in sound, and are budget minded, I am very happy with my amp. Its called the Little Dot 2. Pretty much the only way to get it is used on either fleabay or headfi. Its about $100 on the used circuit. There was some QC issues and it get hot. Its not one you want to leave on all day. And its got gobs of microphonics. Well, after all that bashing of it, I still like it for what it does do. It adds a ton of depth and character to the bass in my Sennheisers.

The next amp I will buy, and I highly recommend is the Meier Audio Corda HA-2 MkII. I have actually heard this amp, and have been wanting one ever since. It does everything well. Aside from a $1000 tube amp I heard that day at a headphone gathering, this was clearly the best. I will get this amp some day.

Don't worry about the specs. Your CDP can drive the headphones. Thats not the issue. A good amp will bring the best out of your cans. Its not a matter of whether or not they will produce sound.

And whatever brand you end up going with, buy the best they offer that you can afford. I regret going middle of the road. Go big or go home.

audiobliss

RuSsMaN wrote:

Bag that ASL, and forget about your preamp for now. You are only using 1 source right now anyway (right), and that headamp has a line out to double as a linestage.

I'm actually seriously considering taking this route. When you say it has a line out to double as a linestage, does that mean I would be able to control the volume with the ASL? If that'll work just fine...I'll have to start talking to the parents...

RuSsMaN

Yes.

audiobliss

Sweet. I'm sold. If I can sell the parents before someone else buys it, it's mine!

audiobliss

...uh...I don't literally mean 'sell the parents'...though, that could probably help me fund some of the expenditures....:D

audiobliss

Oh, and I can I pay AA with a check or MO? And if so, do I just call the number on their website to order?

Thanks!

madmax

Are you sure about that Russman? I'm thinking the link below shows the one you are speaking of.

http://www.divertech.com/aslmgheadotl32.html

madmax

audiobliss

Here's a pic of the back of it:


However, my question is will the volume knob actually change the attenuation of the signal that is leaving the amp and that will be going to my Wave 8's. It has an out, but I was under the impression that it was just like a pass-through to allow it to then be hooked up to a preamp.

However, if it will actually introduce gain into the signal so as to function like a preamp, I'm all for it!

madmax

Rut Ro... I think the deal is gone now. In any case I'll check mine tonite and see if the output is variable.
madmax

audiobliss

I think it's still available, 'cause I can still find it in the clearance list.

I would really appreciate it if you could check yours out!

Thanks!

RuSsMaN

Pretty sure it's a variable output, you tell us Chuck.

madmax

No problem, I'll give it a try tonite.
madmax

dorokusai

I've had all of those, except of course the Bellari, with the Music Fidelity still being used. I've also had a Consonance Cyber 20, Headroom Little and the Grado. The Consonance was my favorite.

audiobliss

doro - I would love to hear your thoughts on the Creeks and the ASL.

dorokusai

F Creek. The ASL is a steal at that price.

sucks2beme

Go to the Head Fi site and do your homework. Shizelbs' advice on picking the headphone before the amp is dead on. Some headphones , like speakers, match well with some amps. Some sound better with sand than glass!
Look for a head fi meet in your area to go sample what amp and cans sound good with your music. Or go hang with someone thats a headphone geek for a day. Many of us sick **** own more than one. (maybe one of each brand? )
Grado and Sennheiser are just 2 of many choices. AKG k701 is the new kid on the block, and is getting good reviews. The Beyerdynamic dt880 is another.
Either way, good luck. a great headphone setup is a lot cheaper than an ok 2 channel rig.

lanion

I have a Headroom micro amp, I like it a lot -- good, smooth sound. No tubes or anything fancy like that, but it is certainly a solid amp. The fact it go on 2 9 volts or be plugged in is what made the sale for me.

audiobliss

Well, I just passed the idea by Dad! :D Now I'm just waiting for word about its capability to be used as a preamp.

Back to my questions about AudioAdvisor...Can you pay by check or money order? And if so, do you just call them to place the order?

Thanks!

madmax

Checked out the ASL tonite. Mine doesn't have the outputs so I can't be 100% certain but I'm pretty sure those outputs are to pass the original signal on to an amplifier. Probably wired in parallel with the inputs. Otherwise, they would give a line voltage like their other headphone/line preamps. (Like 2V line or whatever). I'm pretty sure the ASL is not a line preamp capable of acting as a preamp otherwise they would advertise that aspect. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
madmax

audiobliss

That's perfectly fine. In view of how much more practical it would be for me to listen to headphones most of the time right now, I think I'm still going to go ahead with it.

Oh, and madmax! Answer that last PM I sent you!!

Oh2...and my questions!
Back to my questions about AudioAdvisor...Can you pay by check or money order? And if so, do you just call them to place the order?

madmax

pm sent.
madmax

madmax

Yea, Audioavisor will take your money any way they can get it, just give them a call.
madmax

audiobliss

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, folks. Quite a few of you put some thought into your replies and really gave me good advice. I really appreciate it. I think I have something lined up that'll take care of my headphone rig. I'll let y'all know whenever it materializes and what I think of it.

scottyf - After I get settled in with whatever it is I end up getting, I may be interested in trying yours out for a few days just for comparison's sake. I appreciate the offer!

Thanks!
audiobliss

steveinaz

STOP:

I would seriously consider a Benchmark DAC1, why?

1. Outstanding headphone section, 2 outputs for headphones
2. Doubles as a 3-input (simultaneously) DAC (AES/EBU; Toslink; RCA)(Dozens of rave reviews)
3. TRIPLES as a preamp.
4. Ruler flat Freq Res to 45kHz, 120dB S/N ratio, .0005%THD
5. Internal strapping to customize input/output & levels

I run 3 inputs into mine; Polk Tuner via coax, CDP via AES/EBU, DVDP via toslink. All switchable from the front.

Think about it.....For $975 bucks you'll have a dual headphone/DAC/pre that will run with anything.

30 day return policy, or sell it used for about 90% of what you put into it. It's a win-win scenario.

audiobliss

Wow. That's a phenomenal piece. An awesome DAC, preamp, and headphone amp! :eek: That's pretty sweet. But $975 is just a *little* over the budget.

I can't even imagine Dad's reaction if were to just mention buying a $975 piece of audio equipment. I'd have to run and fetch a pail of water to douse him to revive him!

steveinaz

I know it seems steep, but this is a component you will be able to use for YEARS to come, in a number of different configurations; standalone DAC; Preamp/DAC; standalone Headphone amp, etc, etc.

Beg, plead, mow the lawn, take out the trash, clean the basement, tell dad he can plug into the other headphone output for "man time" together. Suffer through his Barry Manilow CD, Git'r done. Ask him if you can make payments to him....it's worth it.

dorokusai

In classic Polk Forum tradition, someone drops in from the sky, canopy flared and suggests something way over the budget of the individuals query.

Hey Audiobliss, EAR makes sub $2-4K headphone amps....you should just save up.