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Topic: Need Help Deciding Upon a Headphone Amplifier (Read 1435 times) previous topic - next topic
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Need Help Deciding Upon a Headphone Amplifier

I have a set of Sony MDR 7506 headphones, an HP 510 computer (Windows 10), and a Toshiba laptop (Windows 7). The audio output of both computers will drive the headphones when they are connected to the audio output on the computer's front panel. I would like to increase the audio level at the headphones. I am thinking about buying a headphone amplifier to connect the computer's front panel headphone jack to the Sony headphones but I am at a loss as to what I need.

I don't know what the audio output levels are on the desktop and the laptop, and at 80 years old,my hearing of high frequencies has dropped off significantly. I'm looking for something with a power connection, a stereo audio input connection, and a headphone connection. I see a lot of products that use USB but I don't know how to get my MP3s into a USB connection.

It would be nice if the amplifier had 12VDC capability but that is not an absolute requirement. My budget is something under $100.
Are there already any discussions on this forum I could read that might help me decide what to buy?

If anyone here could help me out I would really appreciate it.
* HP Pavilion Desktop 510-p114
* Windows 10 Home 22H2 19045.2965
* Firefox 113.0  Thunderbird 112.11.0

Re: Need Help Deciding Upon a Headphone Amplifier

Reply #2 –
Quote from: skeezix on
I see a lot of products that use USB but I don't know how to get my MP3s into a USB connection.
Very simple, the moment you plug a USB DAC into your PC, it will be recognized as an audio device.
You can choose it in your media player or set it as the default audio device in Win.

You might decide to get one powered by the USB, no hassle with a separate PSU.
Just an example: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/tempotec-sonata-bhd-pro-portable-dac-amp-review.47929/
TheWellTemperedComputer.com

Re: Need Help Deciding Upon a Headphone Amplifier

Reply #3 –
The Apple USB device got high marks at ASR and it's cheap-enough to give a try.

USB power is 5V and that does limit the voltage you can get out.   If it goes loud enough or not also depends on the sensitivity of your particular headphones.    The Apple device is USB C, so you'll need an adapter if your computer doesn't have USB C.

Or, almost any headphone amp should be OK.   I agree that 12V might be better.  You'll probably get more output.   And most headphone amps will have a volume control knob, if that's more convenient than using your computer's volume control.

Making a good amplifier is not rocket science these days.   You can get a 200W power amplifier for around $200 and it's easier to make a 1 or 2 Watt headphone amp.   The thing that can add to cost is that it's a specialty item...   

Quote
my hearing of high frequencies has dropped off significantly.
Since you're using a computer, most player software has an Equalizer so you can boost the highs.

Re: Need Help Deciding Upon a Headphone Amplifier

Reply #4 –
your sony headphone has this caracteristic:

Impedence    63 Ohms
Sensibility 106 dB/W/m
Power max  1 000 mW

if you want to be sure to drive it at the best, dongle is not ok.
get headphone amplifier, with at least 1000 mW of power and near 0 ohm of impedence output.

this can do the work.
Parameters:
Audio input: stereo L/R RCA
Audio output: 6.35mm headphone jack (with 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter)
Output power: ≥1300mW (32Ω)
Matched headphone impedance: 18-600Ω
Frequency response: 20-30KHz
Signal to noise ratio: ≥110DB
Max output amplitude voltage: 25V
Input voltage: DC 5-20V

32$
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005479915815.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.512b6c2f09YjMR&algo_pvid=d7c6c346-48f0-4bf0-bfc6-9ea3505e0dcd&algo_exp_id=d7c6c346-48f0-4bf0-bfc6-9ea3505e0dcd-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%2162.22%2129.25%21%21%21476.02%21%21%402103868a17047178374023135e06ba%2112000033740826700%21sea%21FR%211757239570%21&curPageLogUid=O5iOVuPDfdNi&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A
Music is my first love.

Re: Need Help Deciding Upon a Headphone Amplifier

Reply #5 –
Get the Apple 3.5mm USB-C dongle first, since its by far the best bang-for-the-buck combo DAC+HP unit.

At worst it wouldn't be loud enough and you are only out like $15.