Headphone Amp Question

[Phrazemaster]

Hey all,

I've got a nice external sound module, an Apogee Quartet, driving Sennheiser HD6xx headphones.

On another forum people are clamoring that you need a dedicated headphone amp for best quality sound, which seems reasonable. They suggested a Schiit Heresy as a cheap decent amp.

My question is, the Apogee Quartet has only a headphone out, and speaker outs.

What foolishness would I create to go from the Apogee headphone out to the Schiit headphone amp in? Would this create terrible distortion? Is there another way to do this correctly?

In this case, if it worked, I'd have 2 volume controls: one from the Apogee and one from the Schiit.

This Schiit is confusing to me!

Thanks,

Mike

 

[scott2000]

My question is, the Apogee Quartet has only a headphone out, and speaker outs.

You mean line outs??

Would you not use these???

 

[Phrazemaster]

You mean line outs??

Would you not use these???

They are labeled "speaker outs" but since you mentioned it I looked in the manual and they are to be connected to powered drivers.

So that would be line outs then?

I'm sorry if it's stupid, but would this be correct to plug the headphone amp into? Even though intended for speakers?

I'd still have two sets of volume knobs...strange.

EDIT: yes these are line outs, and I can configure them as +4 or -10. Which would be better for standard headphone amp? Thx!

 

[scott2000]

I'm guessing the headphone amp is unbalanced ?(rca) which is usually -10? that schiit looks like it has a level switch too....??Maybe powering from lower output device you'd need it?...idk ... like Ipod to rca...or phone 1/8" to rca???

Never used a headphone amp.....lol

I'm guessing the Apogee lets you use  TS in the outputs since it gives you the level option so it should be a simple hook up...

Yeah 2 knobs....... Neat

"Why buy one when you can have 2 for twice the price"

Was that Contact? ;D

 

[Phrazemaster]

I'm guessing the headphone amp is unbalanced ?(rca) which is usually -10? that schiit looks like it has a level switch too....??Maybe powering from lower output device you'd need it?...idk ... like Ipod to rca...or phone 1/8" to rca???

Never used a headphone amp.....lol

I'm guessing the Apogee lets you use  TS in the outputs since it gives you the level option so it should be a simple hook up...

Yeah 2 knobs....... Neat

"Why buy one when you can have 2 for twice the price"

Was that Contact? ;D

Thank-you Scott. You are our official kindness welcomer in this forum. I can always count on you to chime in! Bless you.

The headphone itself has 1/4" TRS connector, as you'd expect, and for some reason bizarre to me the headphone amp has RCAs. I thought those died out in the 80's?

And given there are 2 volume control knobs, what would be the best strategy - keep the Quartet at full volume and then adjust the headphone amp to taste? What would give the best sonics and least distortion?

Thx

Mike

 

[pucho812]

We had the Schiit stuff as headphone amps at our NAMM booth many times. They were great, price was reasonable and they did perform well so I think you will like it very much.  I would go on about how to connect but looks like that got covered already. 

 

[Phrazemaster]

We had the Schiit stuff as headphone amps at our NAMM booth many times. They were great, price was reasonable and they did perform well so I think you will like it very much.  I would go on about how to connect but looks like that got covered already. 

Awesome! Great endorsement Pucho!

 

[pucho812]

Awesome! Great endorsement Pucho!

plus the obvious, have you seen my Schiit headphone amp? it's a joke that goes a long way

 

[scott2000]

They have a good reputation in the Hi Fi world...

One review starts...

" and so and so checks out another piece of Schiit audio gear"...lol

Curious to hear your impressions... Never put much thought into a dedicated headphone amp although I use my headphones often....

 

[abbey road d enfer]

On another forum people are clamoring that you need a dedicated headphone amp for best quality sound, which seems reasonable.

And how right they are! Apogee are known for making equipment that fails to operate conveniently, and sure they don't know how to make a decent hedphone amp. 

"They have a good reputation in the Hi Fi world..."
That is enough to make me suspicious.

Seriously, I would suggest you try one You can probably order one on-line with 7-day return. What are the odds you keep it?

 

[Phrazemaster]

And how right they are! Apogee are known for making equipment that fails to operate conveniently, and sure they don't know how to make a decent hedphone amp. 

"They have a good reputation in the Hi Fi world..."
That is enough to make me suspicious.

Seriously, I would suggest you try one You can probably order one on-line with 7-day return. What are the odds you keep it?

Thank you Abbey. Maybe I’ll try one of those Schiity ones  ;D

 

[scott2000]

I heard they're the Schiit

 

[CJ]

if this is for musicians then two tin cans and a string is all you need.

guitar players?  one tin can and no string is all that is needed.

 

[Phrazemaster]

if this is for musicians then two tin cans and a string is all you need.

guitar players?  one tin can and no string is all that is needed.

Why a can at all? For beer?