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musicroom
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2017/06/29 15:19:23 (permalink)

Headphone Amp

Looking for suggestions for a good headphone amp. I'd like to keep the cost in the $100 - $150 range or under. Currently using the rme multiface II headphone output. That one gets distorted pretty quickly. On that note - if you've ever listened to the Tascam UH7000's lush headphone amp, you're spoiled for life. My story. :) Anyway, appreciate some suggestions.



Thanks,

 
Dave
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    Sanderxpander
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/29 15:51:46 (permalink)
    Single or multi out? That budget is pretty restrictive.
    #2
    JonD
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/29 16:10:27 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/06/30 03:08:13
    There are plenty of options at that price range.  But if you only need the one jack for yourself, a solid choice is the Mackie 402vlz4 mixer ($100):
     
    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/402VLZ4
     
    It may seem odd buying a mixer just for the headphone amp, but that's the point:  You get a solid headphone amp along with a quiet little mixer -- not to mention two Onyx mic pres -- added to your toolbox.
     
    For more than one amp, I recommend the AKG HP4E ($99):
     
    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HP4E
     
    Yes, there are cheaper options from "second tier" makers that run in the $25-75 range, and they do the job, but unless you're on tight budget, I'd go for something else with a better quality build.

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    #3
    batsbrew
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/29 17:16:00 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/06/30 03:08:09
    what i use:
     
    http://www.musiciansfrien...p;kwid=productads-adid^156403583515-device^c-plaid^143951190522-sku^J28272000000000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA
     
    works like a charm.
     
    $49.

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    Sanderxpander
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/29 23:07:11 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/06/30 03:08:05
    Obviously there are options in that budget. I'm just wondering if they'd be a significant improvement over the RME, my UCX drives my 250Ohms DT990 louder than I'd ever enjoy without distorting.
    #5
    Jesse G
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/29 23:27:35 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/06/30 03:07:56
    Are
    musicroom
    Looking for suggestions for a good headphone amp. I'd like to keep the cost in the $100 - $150 range or under. Currently using the rme multiface II headphone output. That one gets distorted pretty quickly. On that note - if you've ever listened to the Tascam UH7000's lush headphone amp, you're spoiled for life. My story. :) Anyway, appreciate some suggestions.



    Thanks,



     
    Try either the Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL HA4700  if you have a rack to place the Head Phone amp in a rack space.
    Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL HA4700 - Video
     
    or the
     
    Presonus HP 4 if you just want to place it on a desk, (However, it can go on a half rack shelf.
    Presonus - HP4  Video
     
    Both between $100.00 - $150.00

    Peace,
    Jesse G. A fisher of men  <><
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    Kev999
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 01:25:41 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/06/30 03:07:51
    JonD
    ...if you only need the one jack for yourself, a solid choice is the Mackie 402vlz4 mixer ($100):
     
    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/402VLZ4
     
    It may seem odd buying a mixer just for the headphone amp, but that's the point:  You get a solid headphone amp along with a quiet little mixer -- not to mention two Onyx mic pres -- added to your toolbox...

     
    It can also double up as a DI box and as a signal splitter. It's a useful device to have around.

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    #7
    musicroom
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 03:03:32 (permalink)
    Sanderxpander
    Single or multi out? That budget is pretty restrictive.


    Single will be fine - multi would be a plus.

    Thanks,

     
    Dave
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    #8
    musicroom
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 03:06:03 (permalink)
    Sanderxpander
    Obviously there are options in that budget. I'm just wondering if they'd be a significant improvement over the RME, my UCX drives my 250Ohms DT990 louder than I'd ever enjoy without distorting.


    I'm sure the UCX has a really good headphone out. That's one of the weaknesses of the Multiface II - maybe the only weakness. I also have a babyface which has a far surperior headphone amp.

     
    Dave
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    #9
    musicroom
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 03:07:43 (permalink)
    Thanks to all for the tips and suggestions. If there are others, I will be watching the thread.

    I'm going to take a close look at the Mackie mixer. Any thoughts on how a small Yamaha mixer would measure up with the Mackie?

     
    Dave
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    JonD
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 03:13:14 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:22:02
    Sanderxpander
    Obviously there are options in that budget. I'm just wondering if they'd be a significant improvement over the RME, my UCX drives my 250Ohms DT990 louder than I'd ever enjoy without distorting.



    OP said his RME (multiface II) headphone "gets distorted pretty quickly".
     
    So it obviously performs at a lesser level than your newer UCX.... 
    post edited by JonD - 2017/06/30 03:52:22

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    #11
    JonD
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 03:44:21 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:21:57
    musicroom
    ... Any thoughts on how a small Yamaha mixer would measure up with the Mackie?



    Generally speaking, I'd say about the same (and that goes for any of the other well-known mixer makes as well).
     
    Of course, that doesn't mean that all mixer headphone amps are made equal.  Since that's the function you're primarily interested in, I'd search for reviews/posts re: small mixers and look for specific mention of headphone volume (or lack thereof).
     

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    Kev999
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 09:40:26 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:21:47
    musicroom
    ...Any thoughts on how a small Yamaha mixer would measure up with the Mackie?

     
    I prefer the Mackie over the Yamaha. Smoother sound. However I have never tried the headphone out on either of these mixers.

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    Eddie TX
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 16:23:11 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:21:43
    Here's a headphone amp/DAC from Monoprice with good reviews: 
     
    Monoprice Desktop Headphone Amplifier
     
    On sale right now for $79.99. 
     
    I've had good luck with Monoprice products in the past. Don't let the low prices scare you away. 
     
    Cheers,
    Eddie
     

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    musicroom
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 18:44:49 (permalink)
    JonD
    musicroom
    ... Any thoughts on how a small Yamaha mixer would measure up with the Mackie?



    Generally speaking, I'd say about the same (and that goes for any of the other well-known mixer makes as well).
     
    Of course, that doesn't mean that all mixer headphone amps are made equal.  Since that's the function you're primarily interested in, I'd search for reviews/posts re: small mixers and look for specific mention of headphone volume (or lack thereof).
     


    Thanks Jon - I googled every phrase I can think of with zero info about headphone quality or volume from every small format mixer I know about. My only point of reference is from when I used to use a SC Notepad for a headphone out back in my delta1010 days and as I recall it was nothing special. Hoping to find a headphone out
    that is clean and uncolored. I'm starting to become more interested in the Presonus unit. I do a lot of mixing with the family nearby using SHR940's.

    Edit - I'm also looking very closely at the AKG unit. That might be the one to get.

     
    Dave
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    #15
    musicroom
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 18:46:47 (permalink)
    Eddie TX
    Here's a headphone amp/DAC from Monoprice with good reviews: 
     
    Monoprice Desktop Headphone Amplifier
     
    On sale right now for $79.99. 
     
    I've had good luck with Monoprice products in the past. Don't let the low prices scare you away. 
     
    Cheers,

    Eddie
     


    Thanks Eddie - I took a look. It's probably just as good or better than some I'm looking at. I'm too cautious to trust monoprice for this one though. :)

     
    Dave
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    #16
    musicroom
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 18:48:50 (permalink)
    Kev999
    musicroom
    ...Any thoughts on how a small Yamaha mixer would measure up with the Mackie?

     
    I prefer the Mackie over the Yamaha. Smoother sound. However I have never tried the headphone out on either of these mixers.


    From what I've read - the Mackie gets more love for the preamps and build quality. I keep hoping to read about headphone quality.

     
    Dave
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    batsbrew
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 18:52:17 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:21:33
    the one i posted is a good one...
    why did you ignore that one?
     

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    fwrend
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 21:03:26 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:21:29
    Jesse G
     
    Try either the Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL HA4700  if you have a rack to place the Head Phone amp in a rack space.
    Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL HA4700 - Video
     
     

     
    I've used this on for years without issue.  Plenty of gain, low noise, balanced ins & outs.
     
    Here are some others compared by SW:
     


    Wren 

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    abacab
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/06/30 22:13:21 (permalink)
    Dang, I wish they made stuff like this 20 years ago when I was looking.  I ended up running a series of Y-cables from my Mackie mixer headphone out ...
     
    When my buddies came over for a late night jam session, and we didn't want to disturb the neighbors, headphones and DI's were mandatory.
     
    That AKG HP4E and Behringer Powerplay look very useful.  Being able to send two different mixes into the AKG, and sending them to selected outputs, or having individual aux ins for each channel on the Behringer is very cool.
     
    If you are working solo, those features may not be as important, but sure would be nice to have!

    DAW: CbB; Sonar Platinum, and others ... 
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    tunedeaf
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/01 15:32:15 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:21:17
    I use a Symetrix 304. They are rare and the only reason I bring it up is there are a couple of new ones listed on eBay. A bit out of your price range but they are accepting offers. It's a quality piece of gear. I have the Multiface II as well though I've never used the headphone output.
     

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    musicroom
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/02 14:37:28 (permalink)
    batsbrew
    what i use:
     
    http://www.musiciansfrien...p;kwid=productads-adid^156403583515-device^c-plaid^143951190522-sku^J28272000000000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA
     
    works like a charm.
     
    $49.




     
    Hey Batsbrew,
     
    I'm searching for reviews. Visited their website and trying to learn more. Thanks for pointing them out!
     
    Q: Taking price out of the question - would you choose the Sterlings the over others mentioned here in the $100 - $150 range? 
     
    Trying to get all the information I can.
     
     
    Thanks,
    Dave
     
     
     

     
    Dave
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    #22
    glennstanton
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/02 15:16:17 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:21:11
    the Behringer HA400 (microamp) is inexpensive and does a decent job. 4 headphones. very portable.

    -- Glenn
     
     
     
     
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    jimfogle
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/02 15:52:53 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby musicroom 2017/07/02 19:22:26
    Since you like the sound of TASCAM amplifiers, check out these ones from Teac:  http://www.teac.com/products/headphone_amp/

    Jim F
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    http://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
     
     
    #24
    musicroom
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/02 19:23:16 (permalink)
    jimfogle
    Since you like the sound of TASCAM amplifiers, check out these ones from Teac:  http://www.teac.com/products/headphone_amp/


    Nice find - I'm off to read about them!
     
     

     
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    #25
    whattarush
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/06 15:13:35 (permalink)
    I use one of these:
     
    PreSonus HP4 4-Ch Headphone Amplifier. $129.95
    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HP4

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    Zargg
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/07 18:56:49 (permalink)
    Hi. I got one of these at a very good price, and I'm happy with it. Not sure if it's available everywhere, though..
    I'm by no means an expert on this, but it suited my needs, and could be bought then and there.
    All the best

    Ken Nilsen
    Zargg
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    #27
    interpolated
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/07 19:22:03 (permalink)
    I used a Samson C que 8 for a while now. Although if I had to shop around again I would try Presonus to keep it within a budget.
     

    I have computer stuff.
     
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    Eddie TX
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    Re: Headphone Amp 2017/07/11 18:26:20 (permalink)
    Here's a headphone amp / DAC that may be the most portable solution I've seen:
     
    NextDrive Spectra
     
    I got an email from Waves that offered a coupon for 25%off. Code is: nx+spectra
     
    With the code, price with shipping (to US) came out to $116.74.
     
    Cheers,
    Eddie
     

    Sonar X3 Producer / Win 10 
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