I currently use an iPod as my source with a Pro-ject Headbox II for amplification connected with QED J2P cables. This sounds great with my Grado RS1 phones but I'm curious if I can get better results with a higher end amp. I realise an iPod is not the best source but it's my best option for now. Any thoughts or experiences are welcome - thanks.
HEADPHONE AMP FOR GRADO RS1
- Thread starter admin_exported
- Start date
I would expect so but beware of diminishing returns. Why not try a better quality interconnect first? It might save you a few bucks?
Or a friendly dealer to lend you a few sets?
Or a friendly dealer to lend you a few sets?
idc
Well-known member
- Jan 2, 2008
- 1,142
- 117
- 19,370
Had a chance to look at the Project Headbox, which is fine, but you can do better and there is a good selection of reviews here;
http://whathifi.com/Search/headphone+amps/
with Graham Slee and Lehmann doing well in recent reviews. To get the best out of the headphones you do want to go with something like the Musical Fidelity V8P or the Lehmann Rhinelander. If you use an ipod, you use itunes and you have a PC. A number of headphone amps, such as the V8P, the iBasso and the Firestone Audio Fubar now have USB DACs in them. So you could look at one of them and it means you can listen to itunes, Spotify, Lost FM etc off the PC via USB to your headphones. A really simple and effective PC based set up.
http://whathifi.com/Search/headphone+amps/
with Graham Slee and Lehmann doing well in recent reviews. To get the best out of the headphones you do want to go with something like the Musical Fidelity V8P or the Lehmann Rhinelander. If you use an ipod, you use itunes and you have a PC. A number of headphone amps, such as the V8P, the iBasso and the Firestone Audio Fubar now have USB DACs in them. So you could look at one of them and it means you can listen to itunes, Spotify, Lost FM etc off the PC via USB to your headphones. A really simple and effective PC based set up.
idc - I've checked out the Russ Andrews GQ-24 you suggested. On their site it offers nickel phonos or ultra plate connector. Which one do I need and is this the only place to buy it from? Thanks again. Nick
idc
Well-known member
- Jan 2, 2008
- 1,142
- 117
- 19,370
The GQ-24 is unique to Russ Andrews though you could look on ebay. RA has a sale on at the moment, so there is a small discount. I would go for (and have) the nickel phonos, purely because whilst I rate their stuff, the differences between which connector used are not huge.
Just ordered GQ-24 interconnect. Thanks for your help idc - I'll post back my impressions when it arrives - could be up to a week or so. Nick
Hi Nick I use a project Head amp2 also butonly with sr60's the GQ-24 works really well and improves the sound over using the headphone out socket.
Using the dock connector bypasses the iPod amplifier, with my iBasso dock connector and cute as a button iBasso link cable it makes a huge difference to audio quality even when connecting it to the Pure radio in the kitchen.
Line out docks are well worth the money, might even get a Gq-24 at some point, planning on reusing the iBasso dock with a car radio adaptor, so that I can avoid the FM broadcast faffing for my car.
Line out docks are well worth the money, might even get a Gq-24 at some point, planning on reusing the iBasso dock with a car radio adaptor, so that I can avoid the FM broadcast faffing for my car.
@idc that is my understanding of how it works.
Using the headphone socket you get file -> dac -> amplifier
using the line out from the dock you get file -> dac -> line out (ie not amplified)
Using a Wadia i170 you get file -> (ie the undecoded digital information, well as USB digital out)
So with the lineout dock it is the same as the DacMagic would offer, a line out source
Using the headphone socket you get file -> dac -> amplifier
using the line out from the dock you get file -> dac -> line out (ie not amplified)
Using a Wadia i170 you get file -> (ie the undecoded digital information, well as USB digital out)
So with the lineout dock it is the same as the DacMagic would offer, a line out source
idc
Well-known member
- Jan 2, 2008
- 1,142
- 117
- 19,370
zzgavin:
....using the line out from the dock you get file -> dac -> line out (ie not amplified)
Thanks. They way RA had it, it sounded like they had a dock connector which was specifically designed to bypass the volume. So a nice little project will be to find similar cables to the GQ-24 which connect to the ipod dock and see if they also bypass the amp/volume.
....using the line out from the dock you get file -> dac -> line out (ie not amplified)
Thanks. They way RA had it, it sounded like they had a dock connector which was specifically designed to bypass the volume. So a nice little project will be to find similar cables to the GQ-24 which connect to the ipod dock and see if they also bypass the amp/volume.
The iBasso line out dock does that and offers a 3.5mm jack socket. A hunt for ipod line out dock will show a good few docks and cables, mainly american in origin.
AFAIK it is to do with the exact pinout wiring of the 30 pin connector, hence when Apple changed the pinout configuration with the iPhone 3G and newer iPod Touch, then everyone had to change their cables and docks.
AFAIK it is to do with the exact pinout wiring of the 30 pin connector, hence when Apple changed the pinout configuration with the iPhone 3G and newer iPod Touch, then everyone had to change their cables and docks.
idc
Well-known member
- Jan 2, 2008
- 1,142
- 117
- 19,370
not sure, I know that when I plug my iBasso one in the volume is set to max and the normal volume on the iPod is disabled.
On my cambridge audio d10 (?) the iPod volume still works
On my cambridge audio d10 (?) the iPod volume still works
Similar threads
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram