Thanks @Roasty that sounds promising!
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Question for the headphone tinkerers in hereā¦
I have an opportunity to buy a nice little fleawatt tube amp that seems ideal for duty as a headphone amp to me.
So my question is could I wire direct to the speaker terminals on the back?
Lets say I use a headphone 1/4" extension cable and cut one end off to use the wires theirin.
Is there a standard colour code for the wiring inside?
Like for L+, L-, R+. R-?
Or would it be a case of trial and error?
Many thanks!
Or buy a cheapish adapter?
Valve amps can have freq response affected by impedence of speakers so would assume that with cans it could be even more so, as they vary so much depending on the particular model you have.
I donāt believe that output impedance of the amp would work well with input impedance of the headphones. Perhaps someone with more understanding of these electrical issues can better answer your question.
Here are the headphone output specifications for the Benchmark DAC3 HGC, which happens to be a fairly powerful headphone amp:
Output Power 1.25 W into 30 Ohms
Maximum Output Current 250 mA
Overload Protection (independent per channel) Current limited at 300 mA, Thermal
The output of even a āfleawattā tube amp would still be several orders of magnitude greater and would very likely damage the headphone drivers.
Usually coax style cables, center conductor hot, braid ground, typically red for right channel.
TRS stereo connector:
Tip = left channel
Ring = right channel
Sleeve = ground
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This particular fleawatt amp is supposed to be just 2wpc, I have seen some Schitt late models claim to give that out, one of the reasons I was even considering the experiment as this amp is a lot less money and I am always up for saving cashā¦
But it might also not be one of my brightest ideas which is why I turned to the good members of this forum before I smoke anything!
You might also asking your question over at Head-Fi where Iām sure you would get a very well informed answer.
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As one can easily see by reading though this thread headphones offer an easy and relatively low cost way to tinker and experiment. Want to experience the sound of tubes? Get an inexpensive tube headphone amp. Curious about the sonic differences between types of drivers? Get a pair of headphones of each driver type. Wondering about how to use DSP and what effect DSP will have on the sound? Again headphones provide a useful way to experiment without breaking the bank.
My latest bit of experimenting with headphones is comparing single ended (unbalanced) versus balanced. I have an Oppo HA-1 headphone amp which has both single ended and balanced outputs. I picked up balanced cables for my Sennheiser HD 800 and HD 820 headphones plus another balanced cable for my various Focal and Hifiman headphones. So far Iāve noticed a rather big difference when using the balanced cable with the Sennheisers but much less of difference when using the balanced cable on the Focal and Hifiman headphones. Like I said, itās easy to experiment and just as easy to undo any unsuccessful experiment.
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Iām really liking this Moon Black Dragon headphone cable. Iāve got a 1 foot adapter cable with 3.5mm jack arriving Monday to try it with my AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt DAC. Then, the only remaining question is do I want to order a 5 foot cable for my Drop + Dan Clark Audio AEON Open X headphones? IDK.
Received the 1 foot Black Dragon 3.5mm adapter cable. Sounds great with Focal Clear headphones playing through AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt DAC.
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Sure, why not. Letās keep the economy humming along.
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My headphone addiction continues with no sign of stopping. My latest āfixā:
Dan Clark Audio Aeon Flow 2 Closed Back shown on one of my oldest but most unique headphone stands (purchased back when headphone stands were not widely available) - PVC pipe with leather padding and a beautiful Zebra wood base. In the background is a Benchmark DAC3 HGC - clean, clear and well balanced - and a Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra (wired). My first set of closed back planar magnetic headphones and so far Iām very pleased with their sound.
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Hi. Iāve just taken a dive into the higher end of headphones with a pair of Grado GS1000eās. They were literally delivered about an hour ago.
My reason for buying them was to get closer to āhigh endā that Iām not really able to afford with a regular speaker set up, and the reviews were pretty glowing (and Iāve always fancied a pair of Grados)ā¦
Iām not sure what Iām expecting, but right now I feel like theyāre a bitā¦ mehā¦ and not hugely much better than my B&W P5s (although very different sounding, for sure)
To be fair, I know they benefit from being run in and that the source Iām using (Dragonfly Black 1.5) isnāt exactly worthy, but I was still expecting to be impressed even given that and, well, I wasnāt.
My choices are
- Waiting to see if they improve
- Throw more money at a decent DAC (I held off as it seems there might be a Chord Mojo 2 on the way)
- Return for my money back
Right now it kinda feels like my expectations are so far from what Iāve got that waiting to see what theyāre like after being broken in (potentially losing the opportunity to return them) and/or buying a better DAC arenāt the best use of my HiFi money, but Iām really interested to hear if others have been through a similar experience!
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the What HiFi review said they had to run them for a week solid until they improved !!
Leave Roon running stuff overnight at full volume ? Really upset the wife 
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Thanks very much for that. Iāve only been playing them a few hours but theyāve already noticeably improved so I expect I just need to be more patient! Or maybe itās my ears getting attuned 
? Either way, I think Iāll keep them 
Iāve got a pal with a Dragonfly Cobalt so might give them a listen with a better DAC too. It definitely feels like theyāve got more to give.
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I added a secoond hand Quad ERA-1 to my small collection of cans. Grabbed it in very good condition for a reasonable price. After the first few hours of listening I am quite impressed. There is so much more audible information available compared to my other (much cheaper) headphones. Really amazing.
They are sooo easy to drive compared to the Fostex T50RP MK3 I am usually listening with.
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I ended up returning the Grados, the sound was getting better but there were a few other niggles that I didnāt think Iād have at that price (build quality wasnāt great, cable was a bit plasticky).
Iāve ordered a set of Focal Clears (the originals) with a heavy markdown as theyāre discontinued. Iām really excited to try them out.
Next up, a better DAC! A salesperson confirmed a Chord Mojo 2 is on the way so think Iāll hang on for that.
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New headphone set up for those times when the house is noisy or needs to be quiet.
Focal Stellia with Moon Audio Silver Dragon cable
Schiit Audio Asgard 3 amp + Bifrost 2 Multibit DAC
ultraRendu streamer w/ sBooster LPS
iPad Pro 11 inch
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Sweet!
Very nice, enjoy!
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