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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 erik_squires

erik_squires
16,648 posts
 

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.

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