AudioRoundTable.com: General

Home » Audio » General » headphone amp

Show: Today's Messages :: Navigator :: Polls
E-mail to friend

headphone amp [message #24958]

Thu, 18 October 2007 18:22

willyable
Messages: 76
Registered: May 2009

Viscount

A headphone amp is simply a miniaturized power amplifier specifically designed to drive the miniature speakers inside headphones. Because headphones are often used in portable applications, many headphone amps are conveniently battery-powered. Headphone amps can also be used in a workstation or desktop setting where they sometimes act as a switch between various sound sources or as a pre-amp for powered desktop speakers. Dedicated headphone amps may also include USB connections for use directly with a computer's USB audio-out and digital inputs (optical, co-axial) for compatibility with most digital-output audio sources.

Report message to a moderator

Re: headphone amp [message #24970 is a reply to message #24958]

Mon, 22 October 2007 23:19

Crystal
Messages: 110
Registered: May 2009

Viscount

Thanks for the information willyable. So the headphone amp basically makes the headphones louder. Makes sense.

Report message to a moderator

Re: headphone amp [message #24979 is a reply to message #24970]

Tue, 06 November 2007 20:25

Shane
Messages: 1117
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (3rd Degree)

They do more than just make them louder depending on your source. If your source has a line out, which is best, then you can tailor the design of the amp to achieve a certain type of sound your looking for (eg. quick/tight bass, sweet mids (think tubes), etc....)
And some headphones like Grados like a lot of current which many sources cannot supply in the amount that lets them work their best.

Check out HeadFi.com and Headwize.com for more than you ever wanted to know.

Here's a few of mine that I've built that I have on the web. Several more in the works.

headphone amps.

Report message to a moderator

Re: headphone amp [message #24981 is a reply to message #24979]

Wed, 07 November 2007 13:29

Crystal
Messages: 110
Registered: May 2009

Viscount

Those are gorgeous amps! Congratulations! Why did you use tubes instead of more modern parts?

Report message to a moderator

Re: headphone amp [message #24982 is a reply to message #24981]

Wed, 07 November 2007 17:45

Shane
Messages: 1117
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (3rd Degree)

I feel tubes give a more "musical" presentation than solid state. Tubes, especially in a single ended application, tend to give a very lush/sweet midrange and high end. SE amps can have less tight bass, that's where solid state excels. You can equal SS or get close with some push-pull tube designs. SS just always sounded somewhat lifeless and sterile to me. On that note I have a SS amp that I love. But when doing serious listening for pleasure the tubes get fired up. I suggest that if you ever get a chance to hear a good tube setup do it. If you're able to come to Dallas next year for the Lone Star Audio Fest you can hear some very nice setups, tube and SS.

Report message to a moderator

Re: headphone amp [message #24983 is a reply to message #24982]

Thu, 08 November 2007 09:42

Crystal
Messages: 110
Registered: May 2009

Viscount

I am defintely coming to LSAF next May. When I saw mention of last year's convention, I wanted to come but then realized I had missed it. I'll be there in 2008 for sure. I have never heard a tube amp yet.

Crystal

Report message to a moderator