Headphone Amp Recomendations

eascarface · 13-July-06, 08:06 AM

I just picked up some Koss TD-85's (The most kickass headphones ever) but my onboard soundcard just can't supply near enough oomph or quality to these cards. Plus using them means running them through my speakers

Ive got no clue what Im supposed to be looking for in the way of a decent amp/soundcard so I figured Id ask around for help.

Here are my only requirements:
USB
6.3mm jack
seperate jacks for 5.1 speakers would be nice as well
good soundquality
decent price($100 max)

Thanks

Al

NoSlak · 13-July-06, 09:26 AM

How much were those headphones ? I just bought some sennhiesers 595's last night.
I use HD500's now and am wondering if my Creative soundcard had enough juice for the headphones.
No you have me worrying if I am getting the sound quality I deserve !!!!!!!!!Specially in BF2 !!!!!

eascarface · 13-July-06, 05:14 PM

$31 at Clubit and they sound 3 times better than anything Ive ever heard---including those Bose Triports.

The sounds is dead acurate but when I turn it up it starts to fizz a little which I think is more a problem with the lack of power than with the headphones themselves.

EvilClown · 13-July-06, 05:18 PM

Interesting, I have a 80 dollar Plantronics headset, and I get fuzziness also, I wonder if it has to do with lack of power from my crappy onboard sound. Now you got me wondering....

NoSlak · 13-July-06, 05:21 PM

Damn, I spent alot on my new headphones , however on the old ones (Senns' 500 HD's) they sounded fine all the time but I could never crank it up REALLY loud, it was loud enough mind you but not deafening.

vf1000ride · 13-July-06, 10:04 PM

These are probably a little pricey but if you want some good quality stuff you can give a look into some of these. http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.104/.f Headphone amps and pre-amps.

eascarface · 13-July-06, 10:08 PM

Yup.

Just barely too expensive. Nice link though

carbongraphite · 14-July-06, 12:08 AM

zalman makes a 5.1 headphone amp. it has inputs for all the surround channels and outs for surround headphones. you can also use it with stereo headphones and use your dsp card or software sound processor to down mix surround to "enhanced" stereo.
if you want just a stereo amp look into building your own since thet're really easy to build at alot less than half the cost of other op amp based head amps. or get a boostaroo for $30. since your listening to a digital source from a consumer PC (as in not a DAW or with a highend audio card) you wont hear the difference from a super expensive amp.

Wafflesomd · 14-July-06, 12:13 AM

Make your own, thats what I did, it powers my Sony MDR V6's.

Plenty a guides online, just google for them.

MLiV · 14-July-06, 01:27 AM

Found these on Ebay..

found this one on ebay.. Art is good and the price is not too bad.

and this one.. only $74

this guy makes'em!
$55

rackmount one alto
$69.99

another hand builtCOOL! it's in a altoids can! LOL
$39.99

eascarface · 14-July-06, 01:41 AM

Sweet Links Mlivy. I think Ill probably buy that altoids can.

+Rep to you (even though i detest your avatar

)

MLiV · 14-July-06, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eascarface


	Sweet Links Mlivy. I think Ill probably buy that altoids can. +Rep to you (even though i detest your avatar )

GO BOSTON!

Here's a few more....

$109 if you want something at the pro-level

best deal i think. very good name and only $40 with free shipping!

godfoot · 14-July-06, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSlak


	No you have me worrying if I am getting the sound quality I deserve !!!!!!!!!!!!

Well that depends..... have you been a good little boy this year?
Something tells me no, lol.

Edit: Suggestions so far are good for the price range you are limited by.

Edit 2: Go Sox!!! .....of the WHITE variety.

eascarface · 15-July-06, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godfoot


	Edit 2: Go Sox!!! .....of the WHITE variety.

Is it possible that someones slightly racist?

Anyways all sox suck.

Astros all the way baby!!

Wafflesomd · 15-July-06, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M*LiVVy


	Found these on Ebay.. another hand builtCOOL! it's in a altoids can! LOL $39.99

Yup, tahts the one I built, cept its in a Steven Segal mint box.

Also, taht guy fails at music, he owns grado's, but an ipod! shame on him.

Dreyco · 15-July-06, 01:55 AM

you could get a Numark USB mixer for $90 bucks and do a hellava lot with that if you are into audio stuff... It has a headphone amp built in.

Numark DM950 USB
is the model

I'm goin to get the DM01USB, Im so pumped!

Wafflesomd · 15-July-06, 01:58 AM

DM950, I think I might get that dreyco, I've been looking for a mixer.

Dreyco · 15-July-06, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wafflesomd


	DM950, I think I might get that dreyco, I've been looking for a mixer.

get the one with USB for sure, then you can mix in from your PC/mac

I'm getting the DM01USB cause you can record as well as output (will be nice for ripping my girlfriends old tapes to digital) You also get another input channel and a ton of extra tuning knobs. Oh yea... its all digital baby, just the f***ing way I like it....

Wafflesomd · 15-July-06, 02:21 AM

Well, the DM01 isnt all that more, so I might go for it.

eascarface · 15-July-06, 02:32 AM

Meh Ill probably just go with the altoids can. I don't need all the extra stuff--just an amp that stays out of sight. Plus the extra money can go towards fun stuff like a nice cooler or conroe processor.

Thanks for the help guys

Please excuse this interuption. Waffles and Dreyco you may now go back to your discussion

13-July-06, 08:06 AM		#1 (permalink)
eascarface Apex Tech God	Headphone Amp Recomendations I just picked up some Koss TD-85's (The most kickass headphones ever) but my onboard soundcard just can't supply near enough oomph or quality to these cards. Plus using them means running them through my speakers Ive got no clue what Im supposed to be looking for in the way of a decent amp/soundcard so I figured Id ask around for help. Here are my only requirements: USB 6.3mm jack seperate jacks for 5.1 speakers would be nice as well good soundquality decent price($100 max) Thanks Al

13-July-06, 09:26 AM		#2 (permalink)
NoSlak Gridiron	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations How much were those headphones ? I just bought some sennhiesers 595's last night. I use HD500's now and am wondering if my Creative soundcard had enough juice for the headphones. No you have me worrying if I am getting the sound quality I deserve !!!!!!!!!Specially in BF2 !!!!!

13-July-06, 05:14 PM		#3 (permalink)
eascarface Apex Tech God	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations $31 at Clubit and they sound 3 times better than anything Ive ever heard---including those Bose Triports. The sounds is dead acurate but when I turn it up it starts to fizz a little which I think is more a problem with the lack of power than with the headphones themselves.

13-July-06, 05:18 PM		#4 (permalink)
EvilClown Evil 'Tweaking' Clown	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations Interesting, I have a 80 dollar Plantronics headset, and I get fuzziness also, I wonder if it has to do with lack of power from my crappy onboard sound. Now you got me wondering....

13-July-06, 05:21 PM		#5 (permalink)
NoSlak Gridiron	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations Damn, I spent alot on my new headphones , however on the old ones (Senns' 500 HD's) they sounded fine all the time but I could never crank it up REALLY loud, it was loud enough mind you but not deafening.

13-July-06, 10:04 PM		#6 (permalink)
vf1000ride Apex Elite Expert Tech	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations These are probably a little pricey but if you want some good quality stuff you can give a look into some of these. http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.104/.f Headphone amps and pre-amps.

13-July-06, 10:08 PM		#7 (permalink)
eascarface Apex Tech God	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations Yup. Just barely too expensive. Nice link though

14-July-06, 12:08 AM		#8 (permalink)
carbongraphite Pow - Hoe playa	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations zalman makes a 5.1 headphone amp. it has inputs for all the surround channels and outs for surround headphones. you can also use it with stereo headphones and use your dsp card or software sound processor to down mix surround to "enhanced" stereo. if you want just a stereo amp look into building your own since thet're really easy to build at alot less than half the cost of other op amp based head amps. or get a boostaroo for $30. since your listening to a digital source from a consumer PC (as in not a DAW or with a highend audio card) you wont hear the difference from a super expensive amp.

14-July-06, 12:13 AM		#9 (permalink)
Wafflesomd Banned	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations Make your own, thats what I did, it powers my Sony MDR V6's. Plenty a guides online, just google for them.

14-July-06, 01:27 AM		#10 (permalink)
MLiV You want news, you got news!	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations Found these on Ebay.. found this one on ebay.. Art is good and the price is not too bad. and this one.. only $74 this guy makes'em! $55 rackmount one alto $69.99 another hand builtCOOL! it's in a altoids can! LOL $39.99

14-July-06, 01:41 AM		#11 (permalink)
eascarface Apex Tech God	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations Sweet Links Mlivy. I think Ill probably buy that altoids can. +Rep to you (even though i detest your avatar )

15-July-06, 01:55 AM		#16 (permalink)
Dreyco PCApex's Mac Man	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations you could get a Numark USB mixer for $90 bucks and do a hellava lot with that if you are into audio stuff... It has a headphone amp built in. Numark DM950 USB is the model I'm goin to get the DM01USB, Im so pumped!

15-July-06, 01:58 AM		#17 (permalink)
Wafflesomd Banned	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations DM950, I think I might get that dreyco, I've been looking for a mixer.

15-July-06, 02:21 AM		#19 (permalink)
Wafflesomd Banned	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations Well, the DM01 isnt all that more, so I might go for it.

15-July-06, 02:32 AM		#20 (permalink)
eascarface Apex Tech God	Re: Headphone Amp Recomendations Meh Ill probably just go with the altoids can. I don't need all the extra stuff--just an amp that stays out of sight. Plus the extra money can go towards fun stuff like a nice cooler or conroe processor. Thanks for the help guys Please excuse this interuption. Waffles and Dreyco you may now go back to your discussion

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