Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 27
  1. #1
    AR Member JeffKnob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    WI
    Posts
    265

    Headphone amp and Shure e2c

    I have a 2nd Gen Ipod Nano with Shure e2c headphones. I have noticed some headphone amps on ebay like this one:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Micro-Cmoy-headp...QQcmdZViewItem

    Would something like this improve or change my sound in anyway? I realize it would enable the sound to be louder but that isn't necessary for me. I would just like to know if it would improve what my e2c's can do.

    Thanks!
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    Onkyo TX-SR606
    PS3 Bluray
    Denon DVD-1920
    Panasonic TH-50PZ80U Plasma
    HR21 HD DVR
    Paradigm Esprit (front), Focus (rear), CC270 (center)

    2 - 15" Dayton HF subwoofers
    Two Soundstream M1 monoblock amps for the subwoofer

  2. #2
    Forum Regular Jack in Wilmington's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    1,483
    Hey Jeff,
    I didn't notice a big difference when I plugged my e2c's into my headphone amp. I bought the Musical Fidelity XCan headphone amp to drive my Sennheiser HD600. Plus my XCan is wired into my CD player and the short cord on the e2c's doesn't make for a comfortable sitting situation.

  3. #3
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    Yes, the Shure's definitely benefit from quality amplification (I know because I have a pair). I would skip the "mint", though, and go straight to something better like one of Headroom's amps. Although I found a bigger benefit by putting mine in a drawer and buying a pair of Etymotics (ER-6i's, in my case). Then I didn't even need an amplifier.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  4. #4
    AR Member JeffKnob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    WI
    Posts
    265
    Quote Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk
    Yes, the Shure's definitely benefit from quality amplification (I know because I have a pair). I would skip the "mint", though, and go straight to something better like one of Headroom's amps. Although I found a bigger benefit by putting mine in a drawer and buying a pair of Etymotics (ER-6i's, in my case). Then I didn't even need an amplifier.
    There are always better things but would the "mint" even improve my sound?

  5. #5
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    Quote Originally Posted by JeffKnob
    There are always better things but would the "mint" even improve my sound?
    I had a mint, and before it started shorting out, it did sound a little better (than straight out of the headphone jack of my Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox 3), but I'm just glad I got mine for free.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  6. #6
    Santa Claus
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    North Pole
    Posts
    263
    Quote Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk
    I had a mint, and before it started shorting out, it did sound a little better (than straight out of the headphone jack of my Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox 3), but I'm just glad I got mine for free.
    Hey Dusty,Whats your take on the Shure E4c in ear headphones.I got a pair for my sister for Christmas.

  7. #7
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that one -- only the E2c's.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  8. #8
    Santa Claus
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    North Pole
    Posts
    263
    Quote Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk
    I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that one -- only the E2c's.
    I was going to get those in the first place but chose the more expensive ones.She's going to be using them with an I-pod.Are the e2c's good with I-pods as I'm not an in ear headphone guy.Thanks

  9. #9
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    I didn't like them without an amp. Be prepared to get her an amp for her birthday or next Christmas.

    That said, they sounded fine to me until I heard them with an amp. Just a little rolled off in the frequency extremes. I listen to music, not my equipment. Until something (a fault) sticks out, then I have to fix it.

    I should also mention that my MP3 player was not an iPod -- but I really don't think that matters, as the iPod is not any better in the headphone amp than any other MP3 player, but in the interest of full disclosure...
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  10. #10
    Santa Claus
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    North Pole
    Posts
    263
    Quote Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk
    I didn't like them without an amp. Be prepared to get her an amp for her birthday or next Christmas.

    That said, they sounded fine to me until I heard them with an amp. Just a little rolled off in the frequency extremes. I listen to music, not my equipment. Until something (a fault) sticks out, then I have to fix it.

    I should also mention that my MP3 player was not an iPod -- but I really don't think that matters, as the iPod is not any better in the headphone amp than any other MP3 player, but in the interest of full disclosure...
    The headphones don't come with an 1/4 terminal to plug into an amp.Do they make adapters?

  11. #11
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    Quote Originally Posted by Fergymunster
    The headphones don't come with an 1/4 terminal to plug into an amp.Do they make adapters?
    Yeah, but they also make portable amps, and most of them have 1/8" plugs. See, for example, the Headroom one (probably the current best entry level amp).
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  12. #12
    Santa Claus
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    North Pole
    Posts
    263
    Quote Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk
    Yeah, but they also make portable amps, and most of them have 1/8" plugs. See, for example, the Headroom one (probably the current best entry level amp).
    Thanks,I'm considering the Headroom Bithead or the Headroom Airhead.

  13. #13
    AR Newbie Registered Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    SYDNEY, NSW
    Posts
    3
    Does anyone have any experience with the headroom portable amps, will they improve my Etymotic ER4P from my portable cd player or ipod???

    I appreciate any feedback

  14. #14
    test the blind blindly emorphien's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Rochester, NY
    Posts
    919
    I can't imagine the E2cs really needing a headphone amp. One they're not the most refined headphone (but a bargain for what they give you and another they're quite easy to drive in my experience. I use my old MP3 player at about 1/3 power and my new one around 1/4 power and that's loud enough for my E2cs. I'm not sure they'd gain enough to warrant the extra bulk.

  15. #15
    nerd ericl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    908
    One thing you have to think about when adding a headphone amp to an MP3 player, is that it the signal is already passing through the MP3 player's headphone circuitry. In my experience, "interference" from this circuitry can negate any improvement of an external headphone amp.

    To really hear a benefit you need to use a line-level output, undisturbed by the MP3P's headphone circuitry. For that you need to use the docking port and another adapter. With the Shure e2c's (i have them too). I would just stick with the iPod and the e2c, it's a nice elegant combo.

  16. #16
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    I completely disagree. I have a pair of Shure e2c's, and they definitely improved with an amp -- a measly homemade "mint".

    I've also heard several of the Headroom line, albeit not their most entry level amps (bithead, airhead, &c. -- I think what I heard was the Micro?), and yes, they are certainly up to the task.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  17. #17
    nerd ericl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    908
    Quote Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk
    I completely disagree. I have a pair of Shure e2c's, and they definitely improved with an amp -- a measly homemade "mint".

    I've also heard several of the Headroom line, albeit not their most entry level amps (bithead, airhead, &c. -- I think what I heard was the Micro?), and yes, they are certainly up to the task.
    what are you plugging the amp into? an iPod's headphone output? done this way, i am just not impressed. doesn't seem to be worth it to me. through the ipod's line out, it's a different story for me.

  18. #18
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    Quote Originally Posted by ericl
    what are you plugging the amp into? an iPod's headphone output? done this way, i am just not impressed. doesn't seem to be worth it to me. through the ipod's line out, it's a different story for me.
    I mixed up two different experiences -- listening to the Shure e2c's, and listening to Headroom's amps, so my answer differs, based on which one you were asking about. When I listened to my Shure e2c's with an amp vs. without an amp, I was listening (a) to a Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox 3, and (b) using a measly "mint" amp. I tried straight out of the headphone jack, and with the amp both out of the headphone jack (only briefly) and out of the line out. The improvement was addicting. Once I heard it properly amped, I did not want to go back. I did, and it sucked. I really can't stress enough how badly the Shure e2c sounded unamped (straight out of the headphone jack).

    When we were listening to Headroom amps, I was immediately sold -- I will eventually get one. I think we were listening to an iPod, but we could have been listening to a much nicer source, I don't remember (I've heard many Headroom products over the years, in a variety of circumstances, and they just keep getting better and better). And I think we were listening to Grados, not Shures, since we were passing them around. We were comparing different amps, and I remember being pretty happy with Headamp's offering as well (AE1?). There was a third that was adequate but lackluster -- no I don't remember the brand, I only remember being sold on the Headroom.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  19. #19
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Hyde Park, NY
    Posts
    33

    Internal vs External

    I cant imagine there is too much of a difference, considering MP3s sound crappy to begin with, unless you are using lossless compression. What's the sonic difference between the headphone out and the amp? Is it possible to describe?

    Could anyone actually find out what the headphone circuitry in the ipod is, and a writeup of specifications for it? I can soon, I have a Nano 1st gen opened, but I'm too lazy at the moment so I'll do it later.

  20. #20
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    Quote Originally Posted by Fritz
    I cant imagine there is too much of a difference, considering MP3s sound crappy to begin with, unless you are using lossless compression. What's the sonic difference between the headphone out and the amp? Is it possible to describe?
    More dynamic, extended frequency response in both directions, and the background sounded blacker.

    I should also mention that I'm not much of a MP3 naysayer -- I don't mind MP3s. Most of mine are ripped from mine own CDs, using LAME alt-preset standard. (I think...I don't know how to read options in EAC, but mine look like this:[code]%l--alt-preset 128%l%h--alt-preset standard%h %s %d[/code] -- does that even make any sense? And then I have it set to high quality, which I think triggers the %h option.)

    That said, I disagree that distortion == distortion. There is analog distortion, there is the deliberate distortion introduced by dither, and there is the distortion as a result of compressing MP3's, and I think they all sound different, and are neither mutually exclusive nor accumulative. I still think one ought to try to get the best sound possible, even if one listens to "crappy" MP3s.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  21. #21
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Hyde Park, NY
    Posts
    33
    Quote Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk
    I still think one ought to try to get the best sound possible, even if one listens to "crappy" MP3s.
    Completely agree with you on that. Thats why I got the e3g's. The only issue for me is that I need the least amount of stuff for carrying around. I use MP3's whenever I can cause I'm familiar with them, and I think they sound just fine for the most part.
    Thanks for the description too.

  22. #22
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    ottawa, ontario
    Posts
    1,018
    Fritz, the e3g's are gaming 'phones, with upped bass... so not a flat freq. chart...

    oh well. I don't use MP3's, on my iPod, I use apple lossless, works great!
    _________________________________________________
    Jeeze... people still use sigs?!

  23. #23
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Hyde Park, NY
    Posts
    33

    headphone amp

    OK, I've done some research, and in the course of concluding that I'm going to try out Sennheiser's HD580's, I realized what the difference must be with a headphone amp.

    First of all, the sound will obviously be louder. I dont know about a reduced noise floor, in fact I think that with the additional electronics of the amp added to the signal path, the signal/noise ratio will be higher(not much probably so it doesnt really even matter I guess). I think the real difference is that the amp is capable of producing enough power to reproduce the low frequencies without trouble, in turn reducing all the other bad effects that come with overdriving an amp(harmonics, distortion).

    If youre wondering, I'm going to try building a CMoy headphone amp (http://www.headwize.com/projects/sho...cmoy2_prj.htm), and see how it goes. I'm also going to try to start using lossless compression! Oh, I'm so excited

  24. #24
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    Amazon has them on sale right now for US$125...that's a pretty dang good deal...
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  25. #25
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Hyde Park, NY
    Posts
    33
    Dusty Chalk, have you heard (or heard of) the CMoy amp before? What are your thoughts on it?

    ps. I forgot to specify that for listening at least with the HD580's and a headphone amp, my goal is not 'good' sound, but an accurate reproduction of the recording - these are meant for when I record stuff, so that I have predictable control over the sound of the recording
    Last edited by Fritz; 02-09-2007 at 11:26 AM.

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •