Time to add headphones to the 2 channel rig
muncybob
Posts: 3,227
in Headphones
My preamp has no headphone jack, looking for suggestions for a decent amp to pair with my old Sennheiser HD 590 cans. I realize they are not high end so budget won't be high either.
Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
Comments
-
I guess I should have mentioned, will need RCA jacks for input and a remote for volume would be nice but not a deal breaker.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
There are lots of options from Schiit, Topping, SMSL, Geshelli, WiiM, iFi, and probably a dozen more Chinese brands. Used is obviously a better deal for your wallet. Headphone amps fall into two main categories: portable and desktop. The portable ones are usually designed to work with phones and won't have RCA inputs. Some come with built in DAC, some don't.
There is a pretty active Marketplace over at head-fi.org, but you have to pay attention to the seller's location since there is a large percentage that will only sell to EU locations.
If new is preferable, check out Drop.com (formerly Massdrop) and look in the Audiophile section. They have many Drop specific models that are usually made by one of the brands above and sold without middleman. Most of the time, there are limited numbers available. You will see many marked as "sold through" which means they are out of stock. If there is enough interest, they will run more production, but that may take months before it is available.
This is an example of one of the current Drop amps: https://drop.com/buy/drop-smsl-ho150x
You can search with hifishark for used as well.
EDIT: Years ago, I had a Little Dot Mk V solid state dual mono amp driving my Senn HD580. It was overkill for my usage. Eventually, I was satisfied using my Teac UD-301 to power them occasionally, but that is out of the system now and I am currently also without any way to play my cans on my main 2-ch rig. My preamp doesn't have any line outs for a can-amp and my Denafrips DAC doesn't recommend using the balanced and unbalanced at the same time (I'm using balanced to the pre), so I'm not sure how I can even run a can-amp off the setup unless I use a separate DAC/AMP setup and run a separate USB to it.
decisions...
Post edited by billbillw on -
I had not given any thought to how the amp would connect to my pre. Owner manual states both the tape output and EQ Processor jacks are line level outputs. Other than know they are line level outs do I need to be concerned about anything there?Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
You should be fine with either unless the EQ jacks require a loop back to send sound to the outputs. Do the EQ jacks have jumpers on them now?
-
No jumpers, since i bought it used and it's fairly old I can't say it never had jumpers but the manual doesn't refer to any. That Drop amp looks interesting, never hear of them.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
Drop (previously Massdrop) was a sorta crowd sourcing/group buy website idea that took off about 13 years ago. Originally, a company would post an item and you had to commit to buying it and then they would only produce it if there was a certain number of commitments. It has been sold and changed slightly, but the concept is still the same.
-
I'm intrigued by the Schiit Vali 3 amp. Seems to have great reviews for a modest price....thoughts?Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
Pulled the trigger on the Val3 with the 5670 tube, my early Christmas present to myself.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
-
Hard to wrong with Schiit. Known quality as opposed to all the Chinese stuff."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
-
Yep, American made and all the positive reviews is what convinced me. Now hopefully my old Sennheiser HD 650 cans will finish the equation.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
I really miss my old Koss PRO4AA....
-
Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I'd ask about it here.
Anyone tried or heard these yet? Custom tunable, wired or Bluetooth, high-bias Class A/B dual-mono amplification, noise cancellation and the thing that perks my curiosity is a triode tube pre.
https://ecouteaudio.com/products/th1-vacuum-tube-audio-headphones-satin-aluminum?variant=49517132906664&country=US¤cy=USD&srsltid=AfmBOop86iA-pgeFkI8-hHKTr8gXflVtCNtALkC9LyG1prxfPT_Brgb68D0
Tom
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Pre built into the headset...interesting. Unless I missed it...No mention of how much thy weigh though.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
424 grams or .935 pounds.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
Tom, I'd say those are what I like to call a "lifestyle product" for trendy youth/influencers to peddle. I don't think the guys over at Head-Fi are flocking to it. A few reviews are mixed. The tube will ring if you are walking with them. They only fit "LARGE" heads, and the sound is flat, like its tuned for studio reference work.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/écoute-the-worlds-only-vacuum-tube-headphones.969766/
I'm sure you could put together a very nice IEM rig with a portable battery powered DAC/AMP for significantly less money (if you wanted a portable setup) that would sound as good. For a desktop rig, there are substantially better options for less money.
-
Yep, American made and all the positive reviews is what convinced me. Now hopefully my old Sennheiser HD 650 cans will finish the equation.
Hd650's should sound pretty good. I have both hd58x and hd650. Stumbled on the like new hd650
at an estate sale. The differences between the two are pretty small. If anyone
Is watching their budget, you can find the hd58x pretty cheap. I'm using a Music Fidelity xcan v3.
The newer hd650 seem less dark than the older ones. Had one for years then sold them in 2016.
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
Got to listen just a bit today. Decided to listen to an album that I spun last weekend and really almost forgot I had it. Debut album of Days Of The New. Hearing this cranked up a bit through the speakers gave me goose bumps, can't say the same for the 650s. there was great clarity but bass was weak.
I don't expect headphones of this caliber to compete with the L600s, but I was hoping for better. Maybe I'll try some other cans on Amazon since they have a liberal return policy.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
Be sure to give the Schiit time to settle in.
I don't think anyone heaphone sounds like speakers. it's a different experience.
The Senns all have a particular sound signature. Low end bass impact is a common
Complaint. Lots of mid-bass though. I've got that album playing right now.
Trouble is, another headphone might have good drum impact, but lack something else.
Even spending $$$ it's hard to find a headphone that does it all well. That's how I ended
Up with seven sets of headphones.........."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
I never expected the visceral experience that I get from the speakers, but the lack of bass really surprised me. Even after a break in period i doubt the Schitt will get the 650s to the bass level I want.
Just ordered 2 sets of headphones from Amazon, an inexpensive set of Phillips with 50mm drivers and a set of Audio Technica ATH M50x. Returns accepted until Jan 31! Tuesday night will be audition time for me. Until then I'll run the amp as much as I can.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
Are you near a guitar center? They used to have a lot of mid-range headphones in stock.
You might get a better idea of what's out there."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
No centers within 1.5 hours but never would have thought of that.
I've been running the Schitt amp constantly for almost 48 hours.
The headphones arrived this morning and after allowing time to warm up I played the same music again. The Phillips 9000 series had slightly louder bass but not sure that was an improvement. They did not match the Sennheiser in clarity or mid range. I wasn't expecting much for $65 and that's what I got.
Now the audio-technica ATH-M50x was a different story. Good highs and mid range and the bass was much improved. The gain on these was much higher than the Phillips and even the Sennheiser, caught me by surprise. They were not as comfortable as the Sennheiser but probably would suffice for the amount of time I would be using them(probably no more than 2 albums at a time).
I wish the Senns had better bass as they were w/o a doubt the most comfortable of the 3.
So now I of course have the itch to see if it can get any better to my ears with the comfort to match, although I'm a bit hesitant to push Amazon too many times on returns.Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub. -
I 've tried a lot of headphones. There's at least one thing wrong with all of them.
I have listened to a couple of top end models at headphone meets, not the best
environment for critical listening. I went back to the Senns due to comfort
and overall sound. I do have Stax. Great sound but the world's clunkiest design.
And it makes my ears sweat.
You could return the Amazon order and go hit up guitar center online.
You might like Beyerdynamic dt770 or dt880, but it's going to cost you
more. It's tough to pick out something you've never seen before.
And tossing money at it doesn't help.
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
