Do I Need a Headphone Amp?

[bore_u2_death]

I just got me some 'phones!!!

I got the AudioTechnica ATH-AD500 headphones today, and am listening to it on my iPod Classic 6G. It sounds great but the 'phones have 66 Ohms impedance, and I have to put the volume in the 90% range to create an enveloping soundscape.

Am I a good candidate for a headphone amp? I predict a yes. If so, please recommend me an entry-level headphone amp. I've seen the Fiio E5 on Amazon, something like that would be awesome.

Thank you.

 

[spaceman]

The 500s are pretty easy to drive. If you are using 90% then you may want a portable amp.

FiiO E1 Portable Headphone Amplifier for iPhone iPod

Google that. They are on ebay for around $28 and improve the sound quality b/c they use the LOD output not the headphone out of the ipod.

 

[bore_u2_death]

The 500s are pretty easy to drive. If you are using 90% then you may want a portable amp.

FiiO E1 Portable Headphone Amplifier for iPhone iPod

Google that. They are on ebay for around $28 and improve the sound quality b/c they use the LOD output not the headphone out of the ipod.

No way I didn't know the E5 uses the line output. That's perfect. Thank you.

I heard that the line output on the iPod is not digital, it's analog. Is that true? I saw someone on Head-Fi post it.

 

[nalc]

You want an analog line out.

If you took digitial, you'd also need a portable DAC, which would drive up costs significantly.

Using the analog line-out from the LOD allows the amp to completely bypass the iPod's internal amplifier, and use just the headamp's. Much better SQ.

 

[bore_u2_death]

You want an analog line out.

If you took digitial, you'd also need a portable DAC, which would drive up costs significantly.

Using the analog line-out from the LOD allows the amp to completely bypass the iPod's internal amplifier, and use just the headamp's. Much better SQ.

Would the Classic's DAC hold me back? If it's worth it I don't mind spending more. I've read that the Classic's DAC is not very good compared to the Wolfson DAC in all the other ones.

 

[spaceman]

Would the Classic's DAC hold me back? If it's worth it I don't mind spending more. I've read that the Classic's DAC is not very good compared to the Wolfson DAC in all the other ones.

lol stay away from head fi son. you are getting the bug. there are several choices but I would go with the entry level for now and see how you like it. should be a pretty good bump up from what you have now.

I once had a $2500 PORTABLE rig....Good times.

 

[DeathFromBelow]

If you don't need something portable I'd suggesting looking at the popular hybrid tube amps:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Valve-Class-Tub...301?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb2c3488d

There are a couple different versions with different tube sockets. The 6922 version I linked to comes with a good Electro Harmonix tube, the 12AU7 ones I've seen come with cheap Chinese tubes. I'm really enjoying mine with my AD700s. It's hard to explain why, but I definitely prefer the sound over the sound from the integrated headphone amp on my X-Fi Forte.

 

[bore_u2_death]

I think when the time comes I'll go with the E5. It's a safe entry level choice, and I'm not willing to spend much right now. Thank you for all of your suggestions, that tube amp looks really sweet.

 

[spaceman]

I think when the time comes I'll go with the E5. It's a safe entry level choice, and I'm not willing to spend much right now. Thank you for all of your suggestions, that tube amp looks really sweet.

Wise choice. Return to hi fi only when you have LOT'S of spare change. Really fun but at least a couple hundred bucks to start.