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Dedicated headphone amp vs Headphone socket on amp

As I am fairly new to the whole headphones world. What is the general consensus in regards to superior sq for headphones,  running from an external dac (aavik d-180) to a dedicated headphone amp (no dac) or the headphone socket on a fairly decent int amp (Rega Aethos). I have tried the headphones (sony mdr-f1) from the dac to a small ifi zen can in comparison to directly into the headphone socket of the Aethos and it is a total mismatch. With the latter beating the pulp out of the former. Now, what would happen in a similar matchup with a more expensive headphone amp with a price capped at $400-$500?...In general, is it even worth considering a headphone amp at this price level with the already proficient quality of the headphone socket in the Rega Aethos keenly in mind? . 

sagur80

Showing 1 response by dbphd

dbphd
1,633 posts
 

I’m new to headphones, but will be moving to a life-care community next month where I will need to play my audio at moderate levels even though the units are said to be well sound proofed with cement walls.  I was impressed with my cousin’s McIntosh headphone amp driving Sennheiser 800S for loud large orchestrations.  I will be using the headphone output of my Ayre QX-5 Twenty Roon-ready DAC to drive 800S, and I don’t know what to expect.  Roon iis my primary source,  I hope I don't have to buy a separate headphone amp.

(The QX-5/20 will be used with an Ayre AX-5/20 integrated to drive KEF Reference 1s as an alternate to my KEF LS60 setup.)

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