Headphone AMP

[admin_exported]

Hey all,

I'm looking to buy an Headphone amp for my Grado SR80i nothing AMAZING or expensive but still quite good. Looking for something small but can give quite a good volume and quality boost. I have USB DAC soundcard for my laptop which I am currently running them from but i know i can get more out of them.

Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Sizzers]

I don't understand why you don't want something that sounds amazing (thought we all did!), but the Pro-Ject Head Box II works excellently with my 80's at around £90.

Was also going to suggest a look at the Creek OBH-11 but just noticed it's gone up by £55 @ Superfi!!! The in-house specialist Idc will be along to give you some serious advice later (Suggestion: WHF should employ him as their chief reviewer/tester for all headphone related products).

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks a bunch Sizzers its not that i dont want anything amazing its just at the moment my budget cant stretch for what I would love.

 

[idc]

I am not the expert Sizzers makes out, auditioning headphone amps is even harder than headphones, but thanks for the complement. Suggestions are various portable amps, some of which include DACs as well. Portable just means small, many use them as desk top as well. Then there is the Cmoy, which is a kit that people make up and sell and the Bravo valve amp off ebay. Have a look and all are under £100.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Valve-Class-A-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-preamp-audio-amp_W0QQitemZ260567302350QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3cab0580ce

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=cmoy+headphone+amp

http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/headroom-total-airhead.php

http://www.firestone-audio.eu/shop/products/allproductslisted/fireye2.php

http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=46

Finally, have a look for Musical Fidelity X-CANs off ebay, second hand. Some do go under £100, if you are lucky. Then you will have a cracking valve hybrid amp that will drive any headphone.

 

[Anonymous]

I have owned sr60 , sr225 , and currently RS1 Grado's. In my experience all of these sound incredible without the need for a headphone amp - even straight out of my iPod. The single biggest improvement in my sonic experience has been through upgrading my headphones - no question. If you are interested in the amplification route I have owned the Pro-ject Headbox II as previously mentioned but felt the urge one day to splash out on a Grado RA1 I spotted on ebay. What you get with the Pro-ject is a very solid little box which for the money is a great option - it will give you far greater volume then an iPod and also better control over the volume. I used to leave mine on permanently so it was warmed up and ready to go as I use my 'phones every evening. My RA1 is the battery powered version which gives me the added portability option so I'm not limited to where I use it in the house. This amp is often slated on the net as a cheapo amp dressed up in a nice wooden case , although I find it to match beautifully with the Grado's. It gives a perfect warm sound and I find myself listening for hours just enjoying the music ( as it should be ). I would recommend going for a cheap option to begin with (such as the Pro-ject) so you can judge for yourself the improvements and take it from there.

 

[idc]

The RA1 is very similar to the C-Moy amps you can find on ebay. They are similar in that both are simple designs along the same layout. The C-Moy is called after its inventor Chu Moy and he put his design on the net for all to use. Whether Grado used it or not is not known. (EDIT - just found that both are derivatives of an even earlier design by a Marantz engineer.) But, since RA1s are simple to make, they are simple to clone. If you get a genuine one, you can be assured of build quality, which may not be the case with some of the C-Moys made up and sold on ebay.

 

[Sizzers]

NickD2544:Thanks a bunch Sizzers its not that i dont want anything amazing its just at the moment my budget cant stretch for what I would love.

Apologies Nick, I didn't mean any offence but just picked up on "AMAZING" (as you put in caps) and was just wondering where you were coming from. I'd only just woke up and brain obviously not fully in gear!, so again, apologies.

And take no notice of Idc: whenever anyone has a headphone problem, they always seem to ask for him! lol. Anyway, good luck with your search (and good cans the 80i's)

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for your suggestions all, Really helped. I have seen a couple of MUSICAL FIDELITY X CANS on ebay any thoughts on these? If not im thinking about that Valve Amp you suggested idc.

 

[idc]

The X-CANs are hybrid and contain a valve as well as solid state amplification. The aim is go get the best of both worlds with a valves 'musicality' and solid state 'accuracy'. The result is IMO a very detailed, clear sound that concentrates on the midrange.

The owner of MF is a classically trained musician and if you use the orchestra analogy (again!) he wants a sound that picks out the detail of each instrument, make it as clear and musical as possible and has the power to do great dynamics. I think that MF kit does really well for classical and my music of choice, progressive rock. Prog is multi instrumental, often has dynamic shifts and emphsises musicianship. That is not to say MF cannot do dance or metal, but compared to other kit it will sound a bit bass light.

The X range is popular second hand due to the high build quality and the availability of modding where componenets can be replaced or upgraded. MF do such a service themselves called Fine Tuning and I have used a one man company called Rock Grotto. Upgrades can be from £20 for a new valve to £200 for the full treatment.

With the X range you will get an amp with the power to drive all headphones and something that, if cared for, will last a lifetime.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again idc the amps in question are:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300409081216&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

and

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290416098235&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

 

[idc]

Both of those X-CANS look fine and if the seller is true about condition and working order, then you will get an excellent amp. I would expect them to go for around £100+. You can see from the number of bids they are in demand. They were originally about £130 new. The photo with the box shows the correct box. I would email the sellers to confirm about the box and PSU.

Instructions are available as a download off the Musical Fidelity site. Not that there is much too them!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again idc!

Just placed a bid on one of them so lets hope for the best hey!

Cheers

Nick

PS would love to see some pics of your items =)

 

[idc]

Good luck and let us know the outcome. Pics below in my signature! My X-CANS has blown its valve. I have kept it because I want to start DIY and modifying kit. I am now on holiday and learning to solder and replacing the valve are my projects. I will post pictures.

 

[Anonymous]

Will do idc thanks again

 

[Anonymous]

Just spotted this one on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320506307146&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1182

Its a Mod one like yours idc any opinions?

 

[idc]

Ooooo, that looks very much like a Rock Grotto upgrade. The box it is sitting on is a Little Pinky PSU, which is apparently an upgrade from the PSU provided by MF. That PSU feels flimsy and gets very hot, but mine has always worked. The upgrade and PSU together costs between £150 to £175.

Since it has been modded should anything go wrong, MF will refuse to touch it. But its age means it is out of warranty and Rock Grotto will do any work required.

My modded XCANS has a similar performance to the V8P in terms of clarity, detail, dynamics with only sound stage a clear winner for the V8P.

 

[Anonymous]

Ooo well i think i know what i shall be bidding on then!

Lets hope i get out bided on the normal XCAN haha

 

[PJPro]

idc:Good luck and let us know the outcome. Pics below in my signature! My X-CANS has blown its valve. I have kept it because I want to start DIY and modifying kit. I am now on holiday and learning to solder and replacing the valve are my projects. I will post pictures.
Ooooh. That sounds interesing. Remember that most valve amps tend to run at very high voltages. But I don't know your particular amp.

Oh, and often the values are simply pushed into a valve seat rather than soldered in place. Have you taken a look?

 

[idc]

Hi PJ. The changing of the valve, if that is the issue is a separate project from my aim at World Domination by learning to solder. I have my first DIY thread in accessories and I think it is going rather well

 

[Anonymous]

Not hard to solder idc one tip for you though, have a wet sponge at hand and plenty of plasters for them burt fingers !

 

[PJPro]

NickD2544:Not hard to solder idc one tip for you though, have a wet sponge at hand and plenty of plasters for them burt fingers !
Have yet to burn my finger....the sponge is good but needs a hole in the middle.

 

[Anonymous]

I was soldering an XLR cable in work the other week (mic end had come off) and wasn't really paying attention that was until i soldered it to my thumb... Paying for that mistake now haha

 

[idc]

My first serious project is to make an XLR for my AKGs.

Still watching the X-CANS and I see they are at £88.90 with hours to go, £120 with a day and a half to go, which seems the wrong way round and the modded one at £72 with 2 days to go.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah saw the random pricing there. Im going after the Modded one. How much would you think i should go up to?

 

[idc]

Based on what I said before, new they were about £130, which is what one of the un-modded ones is almost at. Then the PSU is £100 and the mods another £50ish. I have seen a modded V3 go for over £200 and I do not think that was with a PSU.