Recommendation for a headphone amp

[coldturkey691]

Hello, 

 

I recently got a new pair of headphones, some Onkyo A800 ( http://www.onkyo-headphones.com/en/headphones/headband/a800.html )

 

A  friend of mine mention I should get a headphone amp for them, but with the wide variety of tube or solid sate amps out there its very difficult to find the right one.

Me being a newbie to the audio world and what not, most of the specs mean nothing to me and I was wondering if any one had some suggestions.

 

My price range is in the +/- $200 CAD. If anymore info is required I'll be more than happy to supply what every I can.

 

Thanks for the help in advance.

[adithyay328]

Check out Schiit audio.

[Tz000]

3 hours ago, coldturkey691 said:

Hello, 

 

I recently got a new pair of headphones, some Onkyo A800 ( http://www.onkyo-headphones.com/en/headphones/headband/a800.html )

 

A  friend of mine mention I should get a headphone amp for them, but with the wide variety of tube or solid sate amps out there its very difficult to find the right one.

Me being a newbie to the audio world and what not, most of the specs mean nothing to me and I was wondering if any one had some suggestions.

 

My price range is in the +/- $200 CAD. If anymore info is required I'll be more than happy to supply what every I can.

 

Thanks for the help in advance.

I would highly recommend getting a DAC+AMP Combo unit,  anything on this list will power those headphones without an issue and having the DAC (Digital to Analog) converter will greatly increase the audio quality / clarity. 

 

 

[GamerDude]

Seriously? You can't link any better reviewer than Z? When I clicked on the review links (a few of them) and realized that they all led to Z YouTube reviews, I lost interest. 

[Dackzy]

2 hours ago, Tz000 said:

I would highly recommend getting a DAC+AMP Combo unit,  anything on this list will power those headphones without an issue and having the DAC (Digital to Analog) converter will greatly increase the audio quality / clarity. 

Why are you linking that? Like FFS he is deaf and really doesn't know anything about audio, all he does is ramble with no real info and he can't hear any dips in FR (audiofly af180) and just to drive the point home he called Shure 1540 "neutral" those are pretty bass heavy....

 

For OP with 100dB/mW sensitivity it is pretty easy to drive. Something like a Fulla 2 is going to have enough power and a low output impedance, which is good since the headphones has a low impedance.

[Tz000]

4 hours ago, Dackzy said:

Why are you linking that? Like FFS he is deaf and really doesn't know anything about audio, all he does is ramble with no real info and he can't hear any dips in FR (audiofly af180) and just to drive the point home he called Shure 1540 "neutral" those are pretty bass heavy....

 

For OP with 100dB/mW sensitivity it is pretty easy to drive. Something like a Fulla 2 is going to have enough power and a low output impedance, which is good since the headphones has a low impedance.

 

4 hours ago, GamerDude said:

Seriously? You can't link any better reviewer than Z? When I clicked on the review links (a few of them) and realized that they all led to Z YouTube reviews, I lost interest. 

Take it easy man just trying to help, everyone has an opinion on any product be that audio, vehicles  etc... yes I agree half his videos are useless banter and there is no real science to his reviews but I wasn't posting the list saying Z is the best etc etc..  Its a list of dacs/amps which for OP's purposes would do him just fine and show him that there are many options.

 

Especially as you go and suggest something right off his list? Thought all his options / choices were no good? 

 

 

[GamerDude]

4 hours ago, Tz000 said:

 

Take it easy man just trying to help, everyone has an opinion on any product be that audio, vehicles  etc... yes I agree half his videos are useless banter and there is no real science to his reviews but I wasn't posting the list saying Z is the best etc etc..  Its a list of dacs/amps which for OP's purposes would do him just fine and show him that there are many options.

 

Especially as you go and suggest something right off his list? Thought all his options / choices were no good? 

 

 

My post was more or less in jest, Z reviews suit some here as well.......but I simply don't like his excessive use of expletives, and his lack of knowledge. He bandies audio terms about and yet has no real idea what they mean (NOT saying I'm an expert or audiophile myself, though I am actually trying to learn).

 

Yes, in that list, there's the Schiit Fulla 2 which would drive the OP's easily enough, or OP can simply get a Magni 3 and use his mobo onboard audio as a dedicated DAC. Assuming OP intends to use the DAC combo/stack or amp with his computer that is.

[Dackzy]

8 hours ago, Tz000 said:

 

Take it easy man just trying to help, everyone has an opinion on any product be that audio, vehicles  etc... yes I agree half his videos are useless banter and there is no real science to his reviews but I wasn't posting the list saying Z is the best etc etc..  Its a list of dacs/amps which for OP's purposes would do him just fine and show him that there are many options.

 

Especially as you go and suggest something right off his list? Thought all his options / choices were no good? 

 

 

There is lots of gear in that list that is simply bad, but zeos can't hear that so you end up with a list with a few actually good things in the and then a ton of bad and mediocre gear. Like a lot of the Fiio gear or the O2 and ODAC or SMSL.