Topic: If you dont have a headphone amp..

[nickgregory]

get one...I got the standard airhead amp from my folks for my birthday and that paired with my Grado SR-80s is incredible....I am hearing a level of detail that I had not heard before on these tapes!

[George]

Cool, have fun with it.  

[nickgregory]

Nick,
Is tht the unit that has the "matrixing" feature, that somehow provides for a more airy feeling in listening?
(like a 15% right to left, left to right crossover effect or some such....)

+T for new toyz!

yup, this is that unit.  Neat little function...I have not played with it enough to for much of an opinion other than "it is neat"  

[nickgregory]

interesting.....I will post as I get some time to play with it this weekend as to thoughts on the function.

[Chuck]

I've heard Doug Oade rave about the Grace 901, but I don't have that much to spend. What are the affordable options for headphone amps?

[Tim]

headphone.com

great place!

[Nick Culbreth]

i'm very happy w/ my x-can v2 which can be found for around $200.

[nickgregory]

I cant recommend the Headphone airhead enough...at $150...this thing is a steal..

[Chuck]

I cant recommend the Headphone airhead enough...at $150...this thing is a steal..

Would you call it audiophile equipment? What headphones do you use?
How do you run it? Just line in from the source?

[Nick Culbreth]

chuck - what kind of headphones are you using?

[nickgregory]

I cant recommend the Headphone airhead enough...at $150...this thing is a steal..

Would you call it audiophile equipment? What headphones do you use?
How do you run it? Just line in from the source?

So I dont claim to have audiophile ears ( not yet at least...need more funds!).  That being said, the amp coupled with my Grado SR-80s is as detailed as anything I have ever heard.  Maybe someone can chime in as to differences between the airhead and other ones.  And yes, I run it line out of the source into the amp.

[Chuck]

I've got the Sony MDR-600's or MVR-600's? Something like that. They fold up really nice for bringing to shows, but I think they are highly coloured. I'm thinking about the AKG K240's or on of the new AKG's K171's. I want a set-up that allows me to evaluate the recordings I make.

[nickgregory]

I've got the Sony MDR-600's or MVR-600's? Something like that. They fold up really nice for bringing to shows, but I think they are highly coloured. I'm thinking about the AKG K240's or on of the new AKG's K171's. I want a set-up that allows me to evaluate the recordings I make.

I actually have a set of those Sonys...they were the ones I got before the Grado's and colored is absolutely correct.  Upon getting the Grados, I found the Sonys to not be very detailed in the mid range and slopply on the low end.

[Nick Culbreth]

I've got the Sony MDR-600's or MVR-600's? Something like that. They fold up really nice for bringing to shows, but I think they are highly coloured. I'm thinking about the AKG K240's or on of the new AKG's K171's. I want a set-up that allows me to evaluate the recordings I make.

you might want to check out head-fi.org i'm sure you'd be able to find some suggestions on amps that pair well with your headphones.  i've been very happy with my x-can v2, i'm still trying to find the right tubes but overall the hd580 > x-can v2 combination is very impressive.  it certainly isn't portable but it is perfect for my listening needs.

[Chuck]

I've heard people call those Sony's DJ cans.
I bought them when I did sound reinforcement. They were good for soloing channels because they provided good isolation and were comfortable to wear. I could flip one of the cans out and listen through it while leaving the other ear open to the ambient sound.