Headphone amp in the mix

[stigpepper]

Hi,

Some of you may know from my previous posts or forum purchases that I am an audiophile newb putting together my first system.

My next purchase is to pickup a headphone amp but I am unsure of the best way to connect the headphone to my current set-up. I have described my set-up below and would appreciate any advice: -

Music server connected via digital coax to dac
PC connected via digital optical to dac
Dac connected to integrated amp

The dac has 2 outputs 1 rca which is going directly to the amp and 1 xlr which is not being used.

My amp does not have an xlr inputs (which means I have to use the dac rca output) but it does have tape and preamp outputs.

So the main options available are: -

dac xlr to headphone amp (unsure if many mid range headphone amps support xlr input)
amp tape output to headphone amp
amp preamp to headphone amp

What I am trying to determine is which is the best method of connecting the headphone amp then I can begin my search for the headphone amp.

If it would be beneficial to know my components please give me a shout and I will add them to this thread.

Cheers

[Fran]

You can use the tape outputs to feed the headphone amp. That is normally a pass.through signal, you can still select the various sources and there should be some way of muting the speaker outputs so they don't run when you're using the cans.


What amp & cans are you using/going for?


Fran

[stigpepper]

Hi Fran,

My headphones are Sennheiser HD595, not sure what headphone amp I will pickup but knowing that it will not require a xlr input will narrow down the search.

http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/home_en. ... nes_005343

I will keep my eye on the boards and try to pick something up under €200.

If you have any suggestions I would be happy to hear them

Cheers, Stephen

[Fran]

To be honest I'm out of the loop a bit wrt what is flavour of the month in the headphone world. I have a couple of amps here, but they're all DIY valve jobs. The last commercial amp I had was a little dot mk3 (or was it Mk4 - the cheaper of the 2 anyway) - they are still available I think. Very good sounding amp, and I think they're still available.


I think the website is www.little-tube.com but a search will throw it up no doubt - and there'll be loads of stuff on it at headfi as well.


Fran

[tony]

On ebay Mkiii available from uk. They sometimes come up secondhand. One of guys Frederyk here has one and it is a very good amp. Above Mkiv they get considerably more expensive. You could try getting it from china/hong kong but if you are caught for excise duties it will make it very expensive. I think the earlier models gave problems but anything from mkiii onwards should be ok.
Graham slee,meier models and project get good reviews and some of their models would be in your price range.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-Little-Dot-MK- ... 3a61367a73

[Fran]

If you're buying a little dot make sure you buy from one of the little dot approved sellers - davidzhezhe on eBay I think. One of the little dot models gave trouble -mk2 I think - but the others have been fine I think. The mk3 I had was good though.

Just don't know about solid state ones. Jan mieir has a good rep...


Fran

[frd1996]

Hi,

I do have the LDmkIII. For the money it costs it's excellent amp. Normally, I would not mind to lend it for audition but right how it is in pieces. Cap rolling :)

F

[stigpepper]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the advice, after reading a few reviews / forums it looks like I can't go wrong with the Little Dot MKIII. I am considering purchasing from the Little Dot forum website below and would like to know if you have any experience of purchasing from this site.

http://www.littledot.net/forum/viewtopi ... 052c5dfe89

Email response from little.tube@gmail.com: -
_____________________________________________
Hello Stephen,

Thank you for your interest in our Little Dot MK III and I'm more than happy to be of service!

The Little Dot MK III via direct order is 194 USD plus 51 shipping to Ireland. If you are decided and are a PayPal user, just let me know your PayPal email address along with a telephone number for shipping purposes, and I'll send you the appropriate PayPal invoice for your Little Dot MK III. If you have any other questions or requests, please let me know!

Best Regards,
David
______________________________________________

Thanks, Stephen

[Fran]

Yeah, I've bought from him twice (or was it 3?) and he's dead sound.


Fran

[stigpepper]

Hi Guys,

MKIII ordered and even better Misses Claus thought it would make a nice Christmas present. I am looking forward to rediscovering my collection in the New Year. No doubt Misses Claus and the neighbours will throw a party.

Thanks again, Stephen

Note: Hello Stephen,

As promised, here is an invoice for your Little Dot MK III Tube Headphone amplifier!

Please allow 3-6 business days for testing and a final QC check prior to shipment, and then 4-10 business days total transit time. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let me know!

Best Regards,
David