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Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - Printable Version +- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com) +-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1) +--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3) +--- Thread: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... (/showthread.php?tid=103986) Pages:
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Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - IronMac - 09-27-2010 Hi all, for the past three years I have been using a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 pros headphones based on recommendations from this forum. They have been fantastic and I take time out every once in a while to really look at them and appreciate them. Now, I am wondering if amps such as the ones from www.headphones.com will make any sort of difference to my listening experience from my MBP? Will I be able to pick out more detail/sound with an amp? Please note that I will only be using this with my MBP and mp3 files. Thanks! Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - IronMac - 09-27-2010 Ooo...nvm folks...looks like I will need to save up mucho bucks for this sort of stuff. Maybe next year... Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - karsen - 09-27-2010 Do some Googling for Altoids CMOY headphone amplifiers. There are many amps already made for around $30-50 that really improve the sound. If you're somewhat handy you can build your own. Glad you like your 280s. ![]() Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - IronMac - 09-27-2010 Thanks karsen!! ![]() Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - RAMd®d - 09-27-2010 First, whether or not you'll hear any improvement with a headphone amp depends on your audio acuity. Second, even if your ears are good enough, you're working with mp3 files. Any improvement in hardware may reveal the compression artifacts in those files, especially if there are any flaws aside from compression. Third, though Apple uses really good (read: not crappy) DACs, their headphone amps could probably stand some improvement, as could those of most audio devices, especially in portables. So you'll want to use Dock connector output to the amp. Fourth, as you've found, quality external headphone amps are pricey, especially the AC powered amps from headphones.com. Fifth, to get the most out of a quality headphone amp, I think you need to get better 'phones than the 280s. Not that they're bad, but improving any link in a performance chain often "weakens" one or more previously strong links. It's not always hype when sellers say "to get the most out of these headphones, you need a good hp amp". Great 'phones need a great source if you want great sound. There are real, audible gains to be made when going hi-fi. But some of us reach a point of diminishing returns sooner than others. If or when you get an amp, try to avoid the placebo effect. Many so-called "audiophiles" don't really know that they're talking about in terms of absolute performance. Their music sounds better because they paid big money for esoteric products. The Placebo Effect. If you can afford it, it doesn't hurt to by "more than you need" in audio gear. You know you have some headroom (npi) to grow into it. I do this a lot. Listen to your new iron exclusively for a protracted period of time, then go back to your old stuff and critique the sound. This will help you identify more subtle differences much more easily than flipping back and forth. Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - IronMac - 09-27-2010 Thanks RAM!!! My hearing is actually very good because I've never listened to loud music or done anything that would harm my ears. In fact, I don't even own an iPod or a stereo, the closest I have gotten before the MBP and the 280s for the last three years was a clock radio. You may be right about new cans but I love my 280s at the moment. Budget is not a big deal because I can write this all off. Doesn't mean I will be buying the Ultrasone Editions anytime soon, though. ![]() Doubt very much if I will be using any sort of iPod or even an expected iPhone 4 for music purposes so not sure if the Dock connector comment is relevant? Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - WHiiP - 09-27-2010 RAMd®d wrote::agree: Nice, concise post, RAMmie! ! ! ! ! Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - Anthony - 09-27-2010 Like Ram said, lots of factors. For serious listening, I've found a big improvement in a higher quality DAC. Using one made for recording and it really improves the clarity of sound. Connects to the MBP via firewire. Oh, and I have the 280 pros too. Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - IronMac - 09-28-2010 Thanks Anthony! If you're still looking at this, which DAC do you have? Re: Headphones & Amps Wonderings... - Anthony - 10-01-2010 I have a Presonus inspire I used for recording my last CD. It's a firewire recording interface so it uses outboard AD/ DA converters. It's built for recording but I've also enjoyed just using it for listening. |