Headphone Heights

Would this headphone amp improve my sound if I ...

24.215.163.44

randyflycaster

Here's my system: A Music Hall 5.1 SE turntable, a Graham Slee Special Edition Amp 2 phono pre-amp, a Harmon Kardon 3380 receiver, and Sennheiser HD 650 headphones.

If I were to buy a headphone amp, let's say an Asgard 2 - recommendations welcome - and if I then bypassed my HK receiver and went from my Graham Slee directly to my headphone amp, will I improve my sound?

Thanks,
Randy

Follow Ups:

RE: Would this headphone amp improve my sound if I ... - pbarach 08:02:58 01/04/15 (0)
I had HD650s and now have HD600s. I don't know your HK receiver, but both of these phones sounded thin and muddy with my AVR, but full and rich with each of the headphone amps I've owned (Headroom MicroAmp, traded for a Burson HA-160).
RE: Would this headphone amp improve my sound if I ... - jedrider 09:54:50 12/30/14 (1)
I am quite certain you will hear a BIG improvement with an Asguard -- I recall about $300, all solid state ?? I've never heard an HK, nor the Asguard, but I have enough experience to know so.

If you buy from Schitt with their money back and you are NOT just bowled over, then by all means send it back and find another headphone amp.

Considering your system, it is probably the best move you can make for the least money as well.
- RE: Would this headphone amp improve my sound if I ... - randyflycaster 11:25:01 12/30/14 (0)
  Thanks so much for the info. Very helpful,
  Randy
I have the Asgard 2 and it's a great amp - Tubo 08:02:33 12/29/14 (0)
Very detailed and musical. But whether it would be an improvement over the HK I cannot say since I don't own the HK. As others have pointed out you can find out for yourself since Schiitt has a 15-day return policy. If you need more than 15 days, buy it from Amazon. You will have a much longer time to return it if you don't like it.
Maybe, maybe not - Frihed89 00:09:12 12/29/14 (1)
My experience with headphones and headphone amps is that hearing what you buy, before you buy it, 1.) is even more important than with speaker systems and that 2.) reviews by both amateurs and professionals in the head-fi press are a very poor substitute for a personal listening experience.

You have a good set of headphones. I assume you like them. When you change headphones, you can radically alter what you hear and not always for the better. So, whatever you do I suggest you stick with them when you audition whatever it is you want to buy.

It's a minefield out there. However, that conclusion is only based on my personal experience.
Observe, before you think. Think before you open your yap. Act on the basis of experience.
- completely agree... - PAR 01:32:58 12/29/14 (0)
  However arranging auditions of headphone equipment can be difficult to arrange or virtually impossible for in ear devices for hygiene reasons. Fortunately Schitt audio offer a 15 day trial period which the OP should take advantage of.
  
  There is also no guarantee that a standalone headphone amp will sound better than one built in to an integrated amp or other device. I have a great headphone amp but the headphone socket on my digital radio tuner equals it in many ways. Its main limitation being that it only lets me listen to digital radio ;-)

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.