Question Total novice to Headphone Amps HELP🎧

[Shrek]

I find my self listening to my headphones a lot more in the late evening so i dont disturb others. I've noticed i have the volume over half way i do like my music loud.
first question is do i need a headphone Amp will it improve the sound? i have never owned one or heard one ,the only experience i have is a old DAC magic from years ago and still have it, used it on my MacBook .

Budget depends on how much difference the budget will make to the sound but not OTT.

connection/output what's the best way to connect one to my Amp Marantz 70s ive noticed they have RCA optical and HDMI will this be a game changer?

thanks in advance . Sorry just realised in the wrong section i thought i had clicked headphones section !

 

[Rodolfo]

The only discrete DACs I've owned are in portable digital audio players. There are broad ranges of brands, power, price, and features available in a now-quite-mature and growing audio segment. I have two HiBy players that I use in the house, mostly in the evening. and for travel in the same discreet-listening ways. I connect wired and wireless/LDAC-enabled ear- and headphones. If this is of interest, I can elaborate or answer questions. Enjoy your quest, in any event!

(I would have copied and pasted and deleted this, but maybe another well-known or hero member can do some editing.)

 

[Gray]

first question is do i need a headphone Amp

No

will it improve the sound?

I think you'll find it does.
I've still got a DACMagic XS...not over impressed (hardly used it).
Bought a Topping A50S....was somewhat impressed
Borrowed a Topping A90D....was very impressed - can't imagine anyone needing much better.

A pure headphone amp requires a fixed analogue line level output from your Marantz.
If your headphones have the ability to be used 'balanced', then you could make use of the appropriate output on any amp you buy (4.4mm socket or 4-pole XLR).

Just as with speakers, the right music can't be loud enough, I know.
But you need to be more careful not to damage your hearing with headphones.

 

[Shrek]

Thanks Gary why dont i need one ?
you say it will sound better then this is a good reason to get one.
its not the loudness that is priority its the quality if i can get a better sound at a lower volume then i think i take a punt.
Thank you for explaing the balanced output .
ive been looking at the Cambridge DacMagic 200m i have 2 different Headphones i will use and this fits them both on recommended impedance what do you think ?

Appreciate your help

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

The Cambridge should be a good fit for your headphones, just make sure you can send it back if it’s not right for you. If it doesn’t suit you, it may well be worth giving the Topping, Gray tried, a try.

 

[Gray]

Thanks Gary why dont i need one ?
you say it will sound better then this is a good reason to get one.

Yes, that did sound like a bit of a contradiction.
I only meant you don't need one because you've got a headphone output on your Marantz.
Depends how good that is as to whether the separate amp will be worthwhile.
An easy return option would allow you to compare them 👍

I think that 200M was recently discounted - maybe why you're interested.
Note though that it is a DAC and headphone amp. It requires a digital input.
It will not take an analogue signal from your Marantz amp.
Also, it has balanced line outputs (on 3-pin XLR) but not an output for 'balanced' headphones - though that's no great loss - and, depending on the model(s), your headphones may not even be able to be used with a balanced connection anyway.

 

[Shrek]

Yes, that did sound like a bit of a contradiction.
I only meant you don't need one because you've got a headphone output on your Marantz.
Depends how good that is as to whether the separate amp will be worthwhile.
An easy return option would allow you to compare them 👍

I think that 200M was recently discounted - maybe why you're interested.
Note though that it is a DAC and headphone amp. It requires a digital input.
It will not take an analogue signal from your Marantz amp.
Also, it has balanced line outputs (on 3-pin XLR) but not an output for 'balanced' headphones - though that's no great loss - and, depending on the model(s), your headphones may not even be able to be used with a balanced connection anyway.

Thanks Grey thats made the picture much clearer that was what was confusing me the inputs and outputs i might look at the Zencan that has analogue outputs .

thanks again.

 

[RoA]

I hope I understood your question correctly. Even a humble FiiO K11 improved Headphone listening considerably for me over using either the HP out's on my amplifiers or the MacBook Pro M2 (which is said to have a decent HP amplifier). No contest. My Mojo2 also raises the quality significantly.

Using Roon and it's programmable EQ/DSP for different headphones arguably made another huge difference.

All the above made HP listening an incredible experience. I don't try to compare it to my speaker listening. It's simply another way to enjoy music and it doesn't cost a fortune either.

 

[Jasonovich]

I find my self listening to my headphones a lot more in the late evening so i dont disturb others. I've noticed i have the volume over half way i do like my music loud.
first question is do i need a headphone Amp will it improve the sound? i have never owned one or heard one ,the only experience i have is a old DAC magic from years ago and still have it, used it on my MacBook .

Budget depends on how much difference the budget will make to the sound but not OTT.

connection/output what's the best way to connect one to my Amp Marantz 70s ive noticed they have RCA optical and HDMI will this be a game changer?

thanks in advance . Sorry just realised in the wrong section i thought i had clicked headphones section !

Headphone amp is worth investing if you don't want to disrupt the household or neighbours. Headphones will nearly always improve the sound quality than the jack socket you're using on your DAC/AMP/CD Player etc. and there's really no need to spend a great deal of money on it.

If you're into the tube sound, I can recommend the XDUOO TA-66, these cost about £250. I've replaced the original tubes on mine with ones from other manufacturers and this has cleaned up the sound further but at an extra cost. The generic tubes are good enough and excellent sound quality can be had.

Topping, and SMSL also provide some excellent headphone amps without spending too much.
I'm also delighted with my SingXer SA-1 class A headphone amp, these provide RCA as well balanced XLR inputs and outputs. The SingXer also provides three types balanced inputs 6.3, 4.4 and XLR. The TA-66 has RCA inputs only. The SingXer I believe have now been discontinued and these can be had at a very reasonable price on eBay.

The Schiit Audio Jottunheim 2 for £399 has received favourable reviews, also worth looking into. YouTubers have also praised the the Aune S17 Pro EVO but pricey, not sure I would want to pay £749 for it. 🙂




AV has a wide selection of headamps from ifi Topping project etc. check link below

Headphone Amplifiers Page 2 | AV.com

Headphone Amplifiers Page 2 | AV.com

www.av.com

Also going cheap on eBay are the Hifiman EF400 and it comes with R2R DAC. Selling second hand for about £297, normally retails upwards of £500 new.

 

[Shrek]

Thanks all for your help ive just ordered iFi ZEN can 3 at a good price from SSV 30 day return policy if not happy.
Only snag they just rang me 1 to 3 weeks wait Grrr have to wait i guess .

 

[Gray]

ive just ordered iFi ZEN can 3

Should be good.
What headphones will you be using with it?

 

[jjbomber]

Should be good.
What headphones will you be using with it?

It's in his signature.

 

[Shrek]

Should be good.
What headphones will you be using with it?

I have 2 diffrent Sennheisers HDR 175 that are wireless with a transmitter and HD600
always liked the build quality and sound.Tried a few diffrent brands a few months back that WHF reccomend was not impressed sent them back.Hopefully wont have to wait to long for the Amp to arrive .

 

[Shrek]

Headphone amp is worth investing if you don't want to disrupt the household or neighbours. Headphones will nearly always improve the sound quality than the jack socket you're using on your DAC/AMP/CD Player etc. and there's really no need to spend a great deal of money on it.

If you're into the tube sound, I can recommend the XDUOO TA-66, these cost about £250. I've replaced the original tubes on mine with ones from other manufacturers and this has cleaned up the sound further but at an extra cost. The generic tubes are good enough and excellent sound quality can be had.

Topping, and SMSL also provide some excellent headphone amps without spending too much.
I'm also delighted with my SingXer SA-1 class A headphone amp, these provide RCA as well balanced XLR inputs and outputs. The SingXer also provides three types balanced inputs 6.3, 4.4 and XLR. The TA-66 has RCA inputs only. The SingXer I believe have now been discontinued and these can be had at a very reasonable price on eBay.

The Schiit Audio Jottunheim 2 for £399 has received favourable reviews, also worth looking into. YouTubers have also praised the the Aune S17 Pro EVO but pricey, not sure I would want to pay £749 for it. 🙂

View attachment 9699
View attachment 9700

AV has a wide selection of headamps from ifi Topping project etc. check link below

Headphone Amplifiers Page 2 | AV.com

Headphone Amplifiers Page 2 | AV.com

www.av.com

Also going cheap on eBay are the Hifiman EF400 and it comes with R2R DAC. Selling second hand for about £297, normally retails upwards of £500 new.

View attachment 9701

Jason lets start a new thread show off your headphones and headphone Amps like to see what others are using what brand wired or wireless 🧐

 

[Shrek]

Heres mine

 

[Gray]

It's in his signature.

I never look at signatures....maybe I should start 🤪

 

[Dave_]

I never look at signatures....maybe I should start 🤪

They're not displayed on a mobile device (unless you use desktop view/mode) which is the only way to view this forum in my view as it prevents a load of superfluous junk from cluttering the screen

 

[Shrek]

I never look at signatures....maybe I should start 🤪

Lazy lol i dont most of the time lol🙄

 

[Gray]

I have 2 diffrent Sennheisers HDR 175 that are wireless with a transmitter and HD600
always liked the build quality and sound.Tried a few diffrent brands a few months back that WHF reccomend was not impressed sent them back.Hopefully wont have to wait to long for the Amp to arrive .

If you haven't already got one, there's quite a choice of balanced cables available for the 600.
(Don't dismiss the cheaper ones).

Pardon our interruption...

Check the plugs.
There's a cable there described as balanced - but with a 3-pole jack plug - so it's definitely not a balanced cable.

 

[Shrek]

If you haven't already got one, there's quite a choice of balanced cables available for the 600.
(Don't dismiss the cheaper ones).

Pardon our interruption...

how does the balanced feature work exactly i have no knowledge of balanced headphones ?

 

[Gray]

how does the balanced feature work exactly i have no knowledge of balanced headphones ?

Standard cables have the 3.5 or 6.35mm 3-pole jack plugs at the amp end - a separate pole for left and right positives with both negatives sharing a pole.

The pentagon plug uses 4 of its five poles - so the negatives can be separated and have a pole (ring on the plug) each allowing for what they call 'balanced' connection*.
If you look at the ifi spec, you'll see that you get more power compared to that from the standard socket (sometimes described as 'SE / single ended').

*'Balanced' headphones connection - not to be confused with genuinely balanced line (or mic) level connections.

 

[Shrek]

Standard cables have the 3.5 or 6.35mm 3-pole jack plugs at the amp end - a separate pole for left and right positives with both negatives sharing a pole.

The pentagon plug uses 4 of its five poles - so the negatives can be separated and have a pole (ring on the plug) each allowing for what they call 'balanced' connection*.
If you look at the ifi spec, you'll see that you get more power compared to that from the standard socket (sometimes described as 'SE / single ended').

*'Balanced' headphones connection - not to be confused with genuinely balanced line (or mic) level connections.

Thanks Gray i have a look that makes sense

thanks for your all your help .

 

[RoA]

how does the balanced feature work exactly i have no knowledge of balanced headphones ?

As per Gray's explanation. I use balanced and unbalanced cables on my HP amplifier. One get's a little louder but SQ is not significantly different.

 

[Shrek]

Im still waiting for the Amp when i get it i will try the balanced method, on the posative side its back to full price , so i saved a few quid thats a bonus.

 

[Messiah]

They're not displayed on a mobile device (unless you use desktop view/mode) which is the only way to view this forum in my view as it prevents a load of superfluous junk from cluttering the screen

I have recently discovered that in portrait/vertical orientation (on mobile) signatures do not show but if I flip to landscape/horizontal, they do.

(Using a Huawei P30 Pro).