How much benefit will a headphone amp bring

[DCarmi]

I sometimes listen to to my second system Marantz CR612 later in the evening through headphones. Would I seem much improvement from something like the Project Headbox E, connected via the CR612 Amp output RCA connection. i.e. RCA to RCA.

System: CR612 .
Headphones: Usually Sennheiser HD659, closed back. I do have open backed headphones but these are not used when others are around, for obvious reasons.

I find the CR612 sounds a little lightweight compared to my PM6006 amp using the same headphones. I am unwilling to spend more than £150, if there would be benefit. My usage case would not warrant the expenditure.

 

[oldie]

System: CR612 .
Headphones: Usually Sennheiser HD659, closed back. I do have open backed headphones but these are not used when others are around, for obvious reasons.

Think you mean Sennheiser HD569 👍

 

[DCarmi]

Think you mean Sennheiser HD569 👍

Errrm! Yes, sorry.

 

[Gray]

I find the CR612 sounds a little lightweight compared to my PM6006 amp using the same headphones.

Without knowing for sure, I'd say that you'd achieve at least as much improvement, again, over your PM-6006.

I'm not sure about the Pro-ject, but certainly with the Topping A50S of mine, not least with its ability to be used balanced with your 569 (if they've got the same headphone-end 4-pole plug as my similar 560S).

I've got a (hopefully) better Topping being delivered to me soon - which means that my, mint condition, silver, boxed complete A50S will be available for well below your budget.
No sales allowed on here, but If you were interested and anywhere near southeast Essex - where there's a will, there's always a way 😉.

 

[DCarmi]

Thanks Gray. Sadly, I am a the other side of the country from you.
I did take a look at the Topping A50 111 which I assume to be the upgraded model of your current one.

The 569 are 4 pole, so balanced would be possible.

I'll mull over a bit longer. Fear being I might need a second one for downstairs!! 🙂

 

[Revolutions]

I have a Douk U3 & it’s pretty cool for not much money. Just bought a Schiit Magni Unity - happy to report back here when I’ve compared the two if there’s any improvement with the latter.

Douk Audio U3 Mini Class A Headphone Amplifier HiFi Desktop Stereo Amp

Warm tips: Not inlcude power adapter, recommend to use original high-quality power adapter above 5W. For example: the current should be above 1A if use DC 5V while need above 0.5A if use DC 12V power adapter. Features Adopting innovative circuit design, DC 5-20V wide input working voltage, the...

doukaudio.com

 

[Shrek]

I recently invested in my first headphone Amp ifi zen can 3 via my Marantz 70s and im very pleased at the improvement have a look at the Fiio range very good value for money.Fiio k11 £119.00

 

[Revolutions]

I have a Douk U3 & it’s pretty cool for not much money. Just bought a Schiit Magni Unity - happy to report back here when I’ve compared the two if there’s any improvement with the latter.

Douk Audio U3 Mini Class A Headphone Amplifier HiFi Desktop Stereo Amp

Warm tips: Not inlcude power adapter, recommend to use original high-quality power adapter above 5W. For example: the current should be above 1A if use DC 5V while need above 0.5A if use DC 12V power adapter. Features Adopting innovative circuit design, DC 5-20V wide input working voltage, the...

doukaudio.com

Ok, I did some quick listening this evening - the Douk is weird in that it seems to be parity volume when the dial is half-way. I hadn't noticed this before.

At a similarly matched volume with the Schiit the sound is pretty similar, although the latter appeared slightly more delicate if that's possible. Might just be a bit quieter. Really not much in it from a clarity/sound perspective even though the Schiit is more than 2x the price.

What is night & day: Sennheiser hd580 vs hifiman edition xs. Wow, planar headphones really are excellent. Hifiman are stupidly oversized & I feel silly wearing them. I love the sound though. The Sennheiser still sound great... until I listen to the planars, and there's all this space. Wonderful stuff.

 

[Jasonovich]

Ok, I did some quick listening this evening - the Douk is weird in that it seems to be parity volume when the dial is half-way. I hadn't noticed this before.

At a similarly matched volume with the Schiit the sound is pretty similar, although the latter appeared slightly more delicate if that's possible. Might just be a bit quieter. Really not much in it from a clarity/sound perspective even though the Schiit is more than 2x the price.

What is night & day: Sennheiser hd580 vs hifiman edition xs. Wow, planar headphones really are excellent. Hifiman are stupidly oversized & I feel silly wearing them. I love the sound though. The Sennheiser still sound great... until I listen to the planars, and there's all this space. Wonderful stuff.

Welcome to the club! ☺️

I keep telling everyone, once you listen to planars, there's no going back to dynamics,
I loved my Edition XS, and I have been mulling over the Hexi's (He1000 Stealths V2) but no way was I going to spend over a grand for a pair of headphones.

It seems Hifimans have a policy of discounting every eighteen months.
The original price for the Edition XS were in excess of £500, now, you can buy for around £200.
When I saw they'd reduced the Stealths to £850.
I couldn't resist, oh my oh my, what an amazing headphone.
True Edition XS has space, the Stealths go where no headphones have gone before.


I was thinking of Picard, when I said that. 😎

 

[Revolutions]

Welcome to the club! ☺️

I keep telling everyone, once you listen to planars, there's no going back to dynamics,
I loved my Edition XS, and I have been mulling over the Hexi's (He1000 Stealths V2) but no way was I going to spend over a grand for a pair of headphones.

It seems Hifimans have a policy of discounting every eighteen months.
The original price for the Edition XS were in excess of £500, now, you can buy for around £200.
When I saw they'd reduced the Stealths to £850.
I couldn't resist, oh my oh my, what an amazing headphone.
True Edition XS has space, the Stealths go where no headphones have gone before.

View attachment 10799
I was thinking of Picard, when I said that. 😎

Is that a replica of how big the hifiman cups are? 😁

Luckily I'm a very occasional headphone listener so I'm unlikely to get dragged into that game. But yes, if the edition xs are only early in the range it does make me somewhat curious about how good the higher end models might sound. Hope you continue to enjoy your stealths!

 

[DougK1]

Stop it Jason. I was quite happy and content until you and Rev started talking about planars 🙂

I see the HE1000V2 Stealths are going for £839

 

[RTHerringbone]

To be fair, he was very right about planars. I've got two sets now 😍