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    Recommendations for a headphone amp?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by yfzcentral, Oct 24, 2010.

  1. yfzcentral

    yfzcentral Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just got a new Sony Z and the sound quality is lacking compared to my old xps m1330.

    Which got me to thinking about amps - do you use one? Any recs?

    Thanks!
     
    yfzcentral, Oct 24, 2010
    #1
  2. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    By 'quality' you mean volume? The Z's output is not bad in terms of mobo audio, but it is mobo audio. I'd suggest a DAC/Amp which will replace the onboard sound if quality is important to you.

    I like the Headamp Pico ($500). HeadAmp - Audio Electronics (pico USB DAC/Amp)
    High quality output, decent DAC, good builder.

    If that's too rich for your blood, the new ~$80 Fiio E7 is getting decent reviews - I have no personal experience though.
     
    Vogelbung, Oct 24, 2010
    #2
  3. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    I never bothered using headphone amps with my laptop. It was just one extra piece of gear to carry.

    If you have a problem with the sound QUALITY coming out of your laptop, then you will need some kind of sound card or DAC. Getting a pure headphone amp won't help - it will just amplify the poor sound quality you get.

    If you have a problem with the sound VOLUME coming out of your laptop, then I would consider switching headphones and getting a set of lower impedance headphones.
     
    kent1146, Oct 24, 2010
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  4. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Take a look at HeadRoom amps. They are affordable and quite capable in delivering that extra "punch" to your headphones.

    HeadRoom Headphone Amplifiers

    Just keep in mind that it doesn't matter if you buy the best headphone amp on the market if you're only going to use it with a cheap pair of cans. The sound is only as good as the drivers used to push it. My advice? Invest in a pair of good headphones (or IEMs) first before throwing money at an amp.
     
    garetjax, Oct 25, 2010
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  5. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    I have to agree with garetjax regarding the headpones / IEM comment. A good pair of headphones will yield the greatest return on your money for improving audio quality.

    I would say that headphones are 90% of the difference, an amp is 9% of the difference, and high-end cables are less than 1%. Definitely get good headphones before an amp.
     
    kent1146, Oct 25, 2010
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  6. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Exactly as above... getting a good amp with crappy headphones, just makes the sound from crappy headphones even worse.
     
    sgogeta4, Oct 25, 2010
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  7. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Fixed.

    (10char)
     
    Amnesiac, Oct 26, 2010
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  8. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    Fixed again :p

    I did assume, if he was looking at an amp that the OP owned a decent set. Perhaps I assumed wrong...?
     
    Vogelbung, Oct 26, 2010
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