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Which headphone amp is technically superior? Help

I don't have the electronics accumen to figure out which of these two amps has better specifications. My headphones are Sennheiser HD600s.

The reason is that there are two amps at the same price with two different specs and I am trying to figure out which amp is objectively superior. I understand there are other factors such as component quality at work that determine which sounds better, but right now I need someone to explain the difference in the technical specs. Thanks!

AMP ONE

Power output 150mW/600ohms
Headphone connection>32 ohms
Output impedance 20ohms
Signal to noise 94dB ref. full output
Frequency response 20Hz - 20kHz/0,2dB (10Hz - 120kHz/-1dB)
THD 0,005%
Headphone jack 3-pole ¼" (6,3mm Ø ) phono socket
Power supply type Mains-fed outboard power supply
Output voltage 16V/500mA AC
Power consumption 16V/120mA AC
Dimension W x H x D 130 x 79 x 133mm
Weight 1.000g without power supply

AMP TWO

Power output 700mW/30ohms, 110mW/300ohms
Headphone connection > 30 ohms
Signal to noise 110dB (115dB - A weighted) at full output
Frequency response 20Hz – 20kHz/-0,03dB
THD (IMD) 0,003%/30ohms, 0,007%/300ohms
Gain 12dB
Headphone jacks 3-pole ¼" (6,3mm Ø) phono socket
Power supply type Mains-fed outboard power supply
Output voltage 16V/1.000mA AC
Power consumption 16V/230mA AC
Dimension W x H x D 103 x 72 x 151mm
Weight 1.080g without power supply
blackstonejd

Showing 2 responses by dcstep

dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Styling is mostly it. Pro-ject changed the look of most of their electronics over the last year. There were small technical changes at the same time, but no big substantive change.

Dave
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
The Senns are pretty efficient so you probably don't really need the extra power of Amp Two; however, it might later be useful if you bought some less efficient cans like the AKG 701s.

With cans you hear every bit of noise, so if I had to make a choice I'd go with the high signal to noise ration of Two. That said, if you can listen with your own cans, do that a buy based on the best subjective sound.

Like loudspeakers, but maybe more so, cans have incredibly distorted frequency response curves and actual perceived response will vary widely from user to user, thanks to different ears shapes, etc. So, worrying about the last iota of amp frequency response is a futile diversion. With cans and there amps you really need to listen.

Break-in/burn-in is very critical with cans. The close proximity of the drivers to your ears will really highlight any hardness that new equipment tends to show.

Dave
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