Which headphone amp is technically superior?

B

Blackstone

Supreme [H]ardness
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I don't have the electronics accumen to figure out which of these two amps has better specifications. My headphones are Sennheiser HD600s.

The reason is that there are two amps at the same price with two different specs and I am trying to figure out which amp is objectively superior. I understand there are other factors such as component quality at work that determine which sounds better, but right now I need someone to explain the difference in the technical specs. Thanks!

AMP ONE

Power output 150mW/600ohms
Headphone connection>32 ohms
Output impedance 20ohms
Signal to noise 94dB ref. full output
Frequency response 20Hz - 20kHz/0,2dB (10Hz - 120kHz/-1dB)
THD 0,005%
Headphone jack 3-pole ¼" (6,3mm Ø ) phono socket
Power supply type Mains-fed outboard power supply
Output voltage 16V/500mA AC
Power consumption 16V/120mA AC
Dimension W x H x D 130 x 79 x 133mm
Weight 1.000g without power supply


AMP TWO

Power output 700mW/30ohms, 110mW/300ohms
Headphone connection > 30 ohms
Signal to noise 110dB (115dB - A weighted) at full output
Frequency response 20Hz – 20kHz/-0,03dB
THD (IMD) 0,003%/30ohms, 0,007%/300ohms
Gain 12dB
Headphone jacks 3-pole ¼" (6,3mm Ø) phono socket
Power supply type Mains-fed outboard power supply
Output voltage 16V/1.000mA AC
Power consumption 16V/230mA AC
Dimension W x H x D 103 x 72 x 151mm
Weight 1.080g without power supply
 
And I'll say all those specs are meaningless. First of all, not all the measurable specs match up, nor are there enough specifications and data points to tell anything at all.

The only thing I could tell you is that AMP 2 is weighted towards delivering more current at a lower impedance which suggests to me that AMP2 is more powerful.

Here's a primer on what all those numbers mean.
http://www.audioholics.com/education/amplifier-technology/basic-amplifier-measurement-techniques
 
cant tell, gotta listen to them. Is one solid state and one tube? whats the circuit topology look like? Need more info than just a spec sheet.
 
The noise floor on amp2 is lower, the frequency response if more flat, THD is lower, all the specs are better with amp2... However, do you really need two headphones output ?
 
noxlord said:
the frequency response if more flat
Click to expand...
If you plotted the frequency response of both amps, you'd have to use a microscopically-thin line to be able to actually differentiate between the two unless the scale is like -1 dB to +1 dB (a typical scale for a frequency response graphs is -10 dB to +10 dB). Realistically, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference assuming the trends don't change drastically below 20 Hz or above 20 kHz (and that those frequencies are actually audible to the listener).

noxlord said:
THD is lower
Click to expand...
.005% (no impedance listed, no load detailed) vs. .003%@30/.007%@300. Which is really better? Two identical amps differing only in actual total harmonic distortion in the range of ~.001% -- I guarantee nobody here could A/B them.

This kind of data is within the margins of variability for differing test equipment (assuming either manufacturer didn't just publish fabricated numbers) and also within the margins of inaudibility. Which amp is actually "better" is impossible to discern, or is at least the case given the specs we have. Rix got it right.
 
noxlord said:
The noise floor on amp2 is lower, the frequency response if more flat, THD is lower, all the specs are better with amp2... However, do you really need two headphones output ?
Click to expand...

Both models have two headphone outputs.

The first amp is the Pro-Ject Headbox SE. The second amp is the Pro-Ject Headbox SE2. I am trying to figure out the purpose of having these two different models in the lineup.

I have contacted the distributor.
 
noxlord said:
The noise floor on amp2 is lower, the frequency response if more flat, THD is lower, all the specs are better with amp2... However, do you really need two headphones output ?
Click to expand...

Both models have two headphone outputs. The difference is in the inputs. Apparently the older model has an input selector switch and the newer one does not. But the chasis and specs are also different.

The first amp is the Pro-Ject Headbox SE. The second amp is the Pro-Ject Headbox SE2. I am trying to figure out the purpose of having these two different models in the lineup.

I have contacted the distributor for clarification and I am going to audition both models before making a final decision.
 
The specs for amp 2 look better, but realistically there may not be much difference in the sound. You have to audition them to figure out which one you like better.

Perhaps they have both to hit certain price points? That's common in the audio world, and we both know that in the audiophile space something that costs more isn't always better. I have a reasonably high-end system myself.
 
This issue has been resolved. Amp 2 is a replacement for amp one and has a revised circuit board. The distributor claims it sounds better so I will try it.
 
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