I think Synergy here dictate the road to takes... As an exemple i use a old vintage headphone AKG K340, to honor it, i order to replace my Sansui Alpha ( Vintage amp of 100 watts with headphone socket) a very new TOP headphone tube amp from a designer i admire and which is one of the best on the planet ( i will not name it to not disparage even slightly his amazing tube amp ).
To make a story short, i heard his magnificent tube headphone amp with his dedicated top non linear power supply and in 15 minutes i knew that it will not did any good for my headphone, even with a better clarity because of a way lower noise floor...
I send it back which cost me 200 bucks (insurance+normal fees) I return to the old Sansui Alpha socket which winned even with a bit less clarity but a stunning presence more 3D holographic and no thinness in the mids and bass to shake my body... Conclusion : synergy dictate everything first...
I never had never thought one second that my "upgrade" could fail with a tube dedicated for headphone TOP in the world... It is the same thing for dac source... Synergy dictated with which one of my 2 dacs i will use with the Sansui+headphone and for which one i will use the powered speakers...
This problem of gear synergy exist at all price level...But especially audible with low cost gear piece or past vintage very specifically asking products like my hybrid picky headphone.
Advice: if you are happy with your actual amp socket for this specific headphone, i advise you to not invest in an upgrade for this headphone... I would buy another headphone instead if you want an upgrade at all cost...
|
The headphone output of integrated amps and preamps vary a lot. Some very high end brands have terrible output. Your Rega is not one of them. It is known to have pretty good sounding output.
I have used headphone amps from a $100, and at least a dozen up to $8K. In general, you get what you pay for. $500 is unlikely to get you something better than you have.
If you want a great headphone system, it is exactly like putting together a great main system. Every component and aspect must be considered in great detail and with appropriate levels of investment.
I seriously and intently upgraded my headphone system over a ten year period and ended up with the system I have today. You can see it under my user ID in my virtual systems. It is so much better than anything I thought possible until I dropped in the Woo W5LE headphone amp with Takatsuki 300B tubes. I had six sets of the very best headphones available at the time (Sennheiser 800, Focal Utopia... etc.) and tried half a dozen outstanding headphone amps... then finally the Woo. It completely changed what I realized was possible. It is very nearly as compelling as my main system. So, there is virtually no limit to how good a headphone system can be.
|
|
A really good headphone amp that can drive most any phone is the Rupert Neve RNHP and it's a good value. I regret selling mine. Around $500
|
All really good insights and input provided to the topic at hand. It really does beg the question if the desire is sufficient enough to go down a second rabbit hole with a bespoke headphone system. Just like my reference audio setup, which took the better part of 3 years to complete. The trial and error, the mix and match, the contemplation & temptation of possibly better options and the wheeling and dealing in the audiophile marketplace would begin again. Not sure if the return on investment is worth it given the price cap imposed on such a project. Although I have no doubt the results might be impressive without the restrictions on cost. For now, the Rega Aethos headphone socket will suffice. With an eye on maybe some better headphones down the line.
|
You can purchase some very nice sounding dedicated headphone amplifiers for very little money, relatively speaking. You can compare one to your current setup to see if it’s better than the one you’re using now. Schiit audio offers a 15 day trial period so that you can return the component you purchase and get your money refunded; minus a 15% or 5% restocking fee, depending on the price of the audio component you purchase from them.
For a little over $100 you can purchase a Schiit Magni headphone amplifier to try in your system for 15 days. 👍
|
The lower the output impedance the better, as a rule of thumb. Your Aethos has 109 Ohms. For comparison, the Drop + THX AAA amp for $200.00 has .1 Ohm! And vanishingly low noise, distortion, etc.
My new Quad 33 headphone output impedance is 2.35 Ohms. It drives my Sennheiser HD660S as well as the dedicated headphone amp and LPS I had before getting it, which I have now sold off as superfluous.
|
How many layers do you need between source and you?
You immediately run into phone amp > phones considerations, pre > phones, anywhere else > phones issues...
Analogous to source > speaker matching, with whatwithall betwixt ....
|
@ghdprentice +1
i encourage you to consider your requirements. Also you may find a good demo or used item available
- Is this a stay at home system? My headphone and amp combination has a slightly different presentation that my main system.
- Will you travel or take it to work? Chord Mojo2 is an excellent unit and used ones are available or you can consider something like the Focal Bathy (includes its own amp and DAC to pair with your phone
|
Ultimately, I am now going in the direction of choosing a new set of headphones. Given the strong performance level of the existing headphone socket in the Rega Aethos. A sensible option would be to build upon it. My overall preference is for open back type headphones providing the trademark open and wide soundstage in my current Sony MDR-F1. Now, as good as these headphones have been over the years, some areas of concern can not be overlooked. Becoming more apparent when comparing sound on my reference system with headphones and without. This is where the gulf in quality and of course price is crystal clear. The headphones just lack the warmth, resolution , depth in soundstage, timbre and separation of the reference system.
All things considered above, what might be some options to explore in a new set of headphones with a budget of $400 - $1000 ?.....Are there any standout performers / perennial favorites among seasoned headphones enthusiasts coming with strong recommendation.
|
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.
|
|
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
|
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 ?
|
@mahgister "...The most difficult factor to get from an headphone is a natural timbre..." I agree.
For me the thing that completely changed the game actually moved all the headphones way closer to natural timbre and power was the headphone amp. Suddenly the Focal Utopia, Sennheiser 800 and others sounded much more alike than different. And so much like my main system in overall presentation, tonal balance, power, and satisfaction. Obviously there remained specific sonic location differences, but they just don’t seem important anymore.
|
Hi @mahgister .... I'm enjoying my aids, having spent some time 'dialing' them in. As long as I don't ask them for heavy basslines, 👍😎.
...but that's what my real headphones are for...;)
|
Happy Easter dear friend!
I wish you chocolate with 75 % of cacao...
I am happy with my headphone and luckily suffer not from audible hearing loss at 75 ... probably the usual loss...
But we do not hear pure frequencies (save for ignorant objectivist ) but we hear first acoustics recognized meanings and i am sure you enjoy music in spite of everything...
Hi @mahgister .... I'm enjoying my aids, having spent some time 'dialing' them in. As long as I don't ask them for heavy basslines, 👍😎.
...but that's what my real headphones are for...;)
|
Happy Easter to ghdprentice too always a good adviser for all ....
@mahgister "...The most difficult factor to get from an headphone is a natural timbre..." I agree.
For me the thing that completely changed the game actually moved all the headphones way closer to natural timbre and power was the headphone amp. Suddenly the Focal Utopia, Sennheiser 800 and others sounded much more alike than different. And so much like my main system in overall presentation, tonal balance, power, and satisfaction. Obviously there remained specific sonic location differences, but they just don’t seem important anymore.
|
Happy Easter to all!
Christ resurrection is a thing we must meditate...
I wish you all if you are not diabetic a chocolate rabbitt ( a small one for the grown children for sure )
|
|
In my opinion after having and using both stand alone headphone amps that are tube based and solid state based, there is more bang for the buck in doing so vs. using the headphone jack on audio equipment. You get more air, dynamics, detail, separation, etc. I am using all types of headphones, dynamic, planar, electrostatic, etc.
|
In my opinion after having and using both stand alone headphone amps that are tube based and solid state based, there is more bang for the buck in doing so vs. using the headphone jack on audio equipment. You get more air, dynamics, detail, separation, etc. I am using all types of headphones, dynamic, planar, electrostatic, etc.
I confirm this and more...
As i said i bought one of the best tube headphone ever designed to replace my Sansui Alpha Headphone out (one of the best Sansui design) as in a so called "upgrade" 1 year ago...
With the top non linear supply which go with this tube headphone amp the noise level was lower with this upgrade (no need to say the name here)
but it takes 15 minutes (he was used and sold as break in already by the designer) for me to decide i must sent it back...
No comparison even with a way better lower noise floor... ( i lost naturalness of timbre,and holography and out of the head impression )
Yes my AKG K340 is picky...
But a top S.S. amplifier from the golden era, especially a Sansui alpha, with a good headphone out is hard to upgrade in most case...
|
I think it really depends, but generally speaking the headpohone jacks don't get as much love (i.e. $$$) in the engineering budget as a standalone or DAC.
My Luxman integrateds for instance don't have a headphone amp. They use a resistor in series with the main amplifiers. So.....
Plus side is you are hearing 100% of the luxman goodness, bad side is the impedance is fairly high and probably wont' sound as good with low impedance headphones.
|
@mahgister,
I use a Sanui Six receiver to power a pair of Stax SR-Lamdas (manufactured in 1978!) that have been my daily drivers for over four decades. They are easily the longest lasting gear in my system and I live in constant fear of them dying. I've tried a lot of headphones over the years but I have yet to find anything that gives me the same sense of space, detail and (realistic, not bombastic) bass response. I can appreciate your love of a quality vintage amp, even though I'm not using AKGs.
|
@mahgister,
I use a Sanui Six receiver to power a pair of Stax SR-Lamdas (manufactured in 1978!) that have been my daily drivers for over four decades. They are easily the longest lasting gear in my system and I live in constant fear of them dying. I’ve tried a lot of headphones over the years but I have yet to find anything that gives me the same sense of space, detail and (realistic, not bombastic) bass response. I can appreciate your love of a quality vintage amp, even though I’m not using AKGs.
The Sansui receiver are among the best. But My Sansui alpha is the top of the line of all Sansui and their swan song because most alpha models were sold only for the Japan market...
The AKG K340 was the best AKG ever designed as flagship. It is very picky and almost no headphone amplifier will do well. I tried 2 and one was a TOP one...
I kept the 100 watts alpha headphone out only for the K340...
I use self powered speakers....but i listen music seriously with the K340 which beat most desktop speakers especially in non dedicated room.. Their timbre is natural et deep bass marvellous and holographic imaging with an out of the head soundfield spectacular with some recording...
But caution: it took me 6 months to optimize the K340...Very hard to figure out...
It is an old headphone and i dont recommend it save if you dont begin in this hobby...
But at 100 bucks optimized i will be in fear to buy anything else at any price...
I know some many thousand bucks headphone with no deep bass etc...
I owned 10 headphones in the past of different type, none had timbre right save the Stax Sr5 gold... But this Stax gave as most headphone a sound impression in the head not out of the head as the k340...
I begun my audiophile journey with speakers once i was dissatisfied with all headphones...
Then i was dissatisfied with all the speakers i owned... Even the top Tannoy...
Then i learned acoustics for 2 years non stop...
Then i discovered why i loved speakers/room over any headphone...
But then suddenly i was in the obligation to sell the house with my big speakers...
In my new house no choice : i had the K340 no more satisfying speakers...
I used my knowledge of acoustics to understand how to optimize them...
I succeeded after 6 months...
Now i had music of audiophile quality again with the K340...
It is not equal to my past dedicated acoustic room for sure but it is the best any headphone can do and it beat any low cost speakers in a living room anyway easily... It is OK ...
|
|
I had always some minor niggling peeves towards the mid and lower bass sections of the Aune 7000 headphone running through the Aethos headphone socket. Then took a chance with and put my mind to rest with adding the Aune S17 pro headphone amp to the mix. After the second listening session, now happy to confirm the sound is as good as if listening through my reference system and even adds an additional layer or sometimes two to the presentation . Not revealed before. My headphone foray is now complete. A surprisingly good outcome and more quality sound on tap than ever thought possible.
|
FYI, I'm going through a similar process. I have an Aavik U-588, Borresen 01 SSE speakers all Ansuz cables, D3 power distributor, D3 power switch. I wanted to get some headphones. Bought some Focal Bathys and McIntosh MB25 bluetooth [BT) receiver and transmitter. Liked the sound somewhat but didn't like the MB25. To make a long story short. Bought Topping A50 III headphone amp and P50 linear power supply as a test. Very impressed with the Topping items, sound, build, etc. Hard to believe they we're so inexpensive. Using the Focal Bathys wired, sound pretty great for the price. Not sure where I go next. Have Art Audio building long custom cable for the Bathys. If I were to upgrade anything right now I think it would be the Bathys but I think I'd need to spend about $2000 to make much of a difference. Just my current story and info for you.
|
