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A question about headphones

I've decided I would like to give the headphone experience a try because I am an early morning person and I would like my wife to enjoy her sleep.  She is definitely not an early bird.

I have a McIntosh C48 preamp and it has a headphone jack on front.  I have plugged my BT transmitter into this and paired with my Bose noise -cancelling headphones but can't say its anything to write home about.  Do I need a headphone amplifier and where do I connect the amplifier to my rig?

I like headphones that fully encapsulate my ear.  I can't see that open-back headphones appeal to me.  I am about 20' away from my rig and although I would consider a cable, what's the consensus on BT headphones or a combo BT / cabled?

I live in Canada and I was thinking to make a start, I would not want to sink more that $500 into headphones until I am convinced this is the route to go.  I still don't know about the headphone amp and its cost - if I need it.

I don't post much here but I follow this forum daily ad appreciate all opinions and feedback.  Thanks in advance everyone.

128x128r042wal
david_ten
5,480 posts
 

@r042wal   Congratulations. Great to hear you "couldn't be happier.' 

 

I purchased a 'new to me' Shitt LYR 2 headphone amp and a pair of Hifiman HE-R9 cans.  To sum it up, I couldn't be happier for a first time setup

soix
8,671 posts
 

Heh heh. Damn those pesky unknown unknowns. I prefer to think of it as ignorance is bliss. Much easier that way.  Of course in this day and age you could always just make up your own alternative facts to explain/rationalize anything and just keep repeating them until they become known knowns.  Ugh. 

ghdprentice
6,371 posts
 

OP, thanks on your comment or direct headphone output. I was just keeping an informal tally.

vinylzone
288 posts
 

Your bluetooth dongle should probably be plugged into a line out on your preamp.  I've had very poor results plugging transmitters into headphone jacks.

marco1's avatar
marco1
496 posts
 

Hate to already be recommending other headphones but if you like bass and early rock and roll pair up some Audeze lcd2 classic's with your Lyr2.  I can tell you from personal experience you'll be very, very happy.  Also go to headfi for a wealth of information regarding Lyr tube rolling.  You'll be amazed how different tubes can greatly impact the SQ of that amp.  Like speaker systems everything can affect what you hear but don't discount the impact an upgraded HP cable will also have, even on headphones in the price range you're currently in.  So many (new) different rabbit holes you can go down now with you new addition :-)  Have fun.

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