Dedicated headphone amp vs Headphone socket on amp
As I am fairly new to the whole headphones world. What is the general consensus in regards to superior sq for headphones, running from an external dac (aavik d-180) to a dedicated headphone amp (no dac) or the headphone socket on a fairly decent int amp (Rega Aethos). I have tried the headphones (sony mdr-f1) from the dac to a small ifi zen can in comparison to directly into the headphone socket of the Aethos and it is a total mismatch. With the latter beating the pulp out of the former. Now, what would happen in a similar matchup with a more expensive headphone amp with a price capped at $400-$500?...In general, is it even worth considering a headphone amp at this price level with the already proficient quality of the headphone socket in the Rega Aethos keenly in mind? .
Good choice. Some to think about... Sennheiser, Focal, and Grado. There are lots more available that are great. I have a large selection... and only use the Sennheiser... my partner has used Sennheiser for decades at night when I am sleeping.. She keeps them on all night and is extremely picky about comfort and she is female so is also sensitive to bad sound. |
I shut off the power amp in my main system and switch on a Schiit Vali 3 with a Loki EQ (my Freya preamp has 3 outputs). Great sounding combo that just sings. Around 300 bucks for this rig including the little Schiit cables between the Vali and the Loki. The Vali 3 has lots of voltage and drives my phones with the Grado extension cable with ease. Grado SR325X phones. |
I’d highly recommend these Hifiman Arya Organics that can easily be returned through Amazon if they don’t work out. I own the Arya Stealths that are a model below these and am thrilled with them, and the Organics are supposed to be a significant improvement (see review below) but aren’t much more expensive and still within your budget. They are also relatively easy to drive so should work perfectly fine with your Aethos. The Stealths are very open sounding with an expansive soundstage and imaging that is very much of an “outside the head” type of presentation. They are neutral and very balanced with great detail and tone with very quick, tight, and tuneful bass and are very light and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They go quite low but don’t do boom boom kinda bass so if you listen to EDM, rap, etc. there are probably better choices, but if you want a well-balanced, audiophile experience these are excellent and very well worth a try. Just one idea FWIW, and best of luck. The review… https://soundnews.net/reviews/headphones/hifiman-arya-organic-review-comparison/ |
The most difficult factor to get from an headphone is a natural timbre... On par with it the spatial qualities of sound, and with many good public recording an "out of the head" holographical effect when you forgot that you listen headphone as if listening speakers.
None of my past 10 headphones ever did this two aspects right together... Add to this very deep bass with no booming effect and we lost most headphone at any price... The best headphone for timbre i owned, save my AKG K340, was the Stax SR-5 gold, but the soundfield was around my head never out of my head and no deep bass at all... I am not able to recommend any other headphone than my optimized K340 but it is old now... I would fear buying anything new because of costs and dissatisfaction
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The upcoming challenge will be to replicate as accurately as possible the reference system sound albeit at higher volume levels on headphones. Hardly possible to ensure 100% fidelity to the reference system sound. With that in mind, the headphones which get closest ,while still offering a personalized listening enjoyment/engagement will eventually be the keeper. The Hifiman Arya Stealth - Just saw them on amazon and are on the shortlist of candidates. Anyone have experience or opinions on the Aune SR5000/7000, the Focal Lensys, Beyerdynamic T1 or the Sennheiser 650 ? |
