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.