Jazz for aficionados


Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10

Headphone amps connect to line out; they're for people who like headphones. I've got one that I've used very little in the last 20 years.
Now tell me what you know about headphone amps. Do I need one?

If you're happy with the way things sound now, you don't need one.

If you have a decent set of headphones and a good source and want to get the best sound quality, then yes, you need one. Most devices with headphone jacks have an OK or worse headphone amp. A good headphone amp will have more power and headroom and allow more detail to present itself. Just like with amps and speakers there are dramatically different levels of sound quality to be experienced. 

***** If you're happy with the way things sound now, you don't need one.*****

big_greg

Thanks for your input.  My thought process was this:

If you have a CD player with a headphone Jack, most often there will be a headphone volume control next to the jack.   This tells me that there is a headphone amp built in.  I can readily see how a more powerful external amp might improve things.

My receiver has a headphone jack that kills output to the speakers when a headphone plug is inserted.   There is no volume knob specifically  for the headphones.   The the receiver's volume knob, controls the volume of the headphones.   To me this means the receiver's power output or part of it is powering the headphone jack.   The receiver is rated at 120wpc into 8 ohms.  Would a headphone amp even be applicable or needed in this configuration?

I am not an audiophile so please overlook any ignorance in the question.

Thanks
Cheers
@rok2id You might consider starting a new thread about headphones so we don't derail this one. I dont know what receiver you have or how it's designed, but a headphone amp usually has only a few watts (like 1-5), so no, it's probably a different power supply. 
Emotiva still manufactures the XPA - 2 but it is called the gen - 3.

I would check as may reviews as you can on this amp before making a purchase. They are still number one in quality to price ratio. Here is the link to the XPA - 2 gen - 3. 

https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/xpa-2-gen3

For home theater applications they offer 7, 5, and 3 channel amps as well.

Emotiva also manufactures high end pre - amps as well. And they too are priced for the working man. Here is their flagship model:

https://emotiva.com/collections/pre-amps/products/xsp-1

Of course it is all solid state. My knowledge of tube amps is limited as I have never been interested in going down that road. I have only listened to a handful of "tube systems" in my life and none of them impressed me enough to make me switch from solid state.

What I do know is that a good tube system with power approaching that of a solid state system can get very pricey in a hurry. Those using inexpensive/budget tube systems cannot compete with solid state.