azeroth

My laptop audio is way too soft. The options for me are very limited - I can't change the built in audio. I tried connecting to more powerful speakers - there was an improvement but it's still rtaher soft So I was wondering can I use a headphone amp to amplify the output from the PC audio before it goes into the PC speakers?

Thanks, 2100, will visit that place to take a look out of curiosity although Mackie has now made that trip there unnecessary Lol .. as they say, a drowning man will clutch at a straw. BTW, Mackie, I saved you from a suicide attempt. Many thanks to your detailed description which has solved my problem - fortunately you can't see my face, cos it looks a little sheepish. What stumped me was that I had not realised that I should select the same "CD" whether I am listening to CD from speakers or from headphones. So when I connected the RCA to "tape out" and through the HA-1, I always thought I should select something else on the source selector on my pre-amp because "CD" was already used by my CD player The only odd thing now is that when I wish to switch from playing CDs from speakers to headphones, I will now have to switch off my power amp or turn down the volume knob on my pre-amp to zero since music flows from both speakers and headphones

Thanks neutralzz, 2100 and mackie for your input. I have changed my interconnects to a better one and now there is a difference although it's still not as great as what I would be expecting from comments here. Still, I am reasonably satisfied and probably my CDP isn't entirely up to scratch as well Hi Mackie, I think I tried exactly that - but without success. Just to clarify, must it be "tape out". Can it be "tuner" or something else? The problem with my pre-amp is that my source selector does not have "tape". But the back connections do have "tape out" and even "tape". If I connect one end of the RCA to the HA-1 and the other end to my pre-amp "tape out", what should I select as source? I tried all but no go. May I know where is NDV and how much is the splitter? Looks like this may be the only option now for me

Thanks to Northern Oak pointer, and Mackie's/Rameish's recommendations I have purchases the Meier Audio Corda HA-1 Mk II I have just tried the headphone amp and I find that the difference bewteen connecting it through the headphone amp vs connecting it unamped via my CD player headphone jacks directly is very negligible - practically no difference. So, it becomes a very expensive volume controller. I hope I have not missed anything Another problem I have is that I can only drive the headphone amp direct from my CD player. I can't seem to drive it via my pre-amp. Can someone enlighten me in detail the connections from pre-amp to CD player to headphone amp. I tried various connections to no avail What I need is the ability to be able to switch between playing CDs and output through my normal speakers or headphones without switching connections. Currently if I wish to listen to my CD player via my normal speakers, I connect the RCA to my pre-amp. If I want to listen to headphones amplified by HA-1, I disconnect the RCA from the pre-amp and connect to the HA-1. This is very inconvenient Thanks

Hi username, how do you find the SR325i then? I was actually looking into the 325i / 225. I auditioned the SR80, 125, 325i at Music By Design. You're right there about the looks - the SR325i is appealing. The 325i had the best clarity and sounded the smoothest but in my opinion it isn't really oodles better in my short listening there. MFD unfortunately did not have a SR225 to audition, so I wasn't able to determine if I should go for the more affordable SR225 or go all out for the SR325i. In the end, Mackie's "lobang" of $299 for the Beyer DT880 proved too tempting for me to resist. The Beyer also had the advantage of comfort, an extension cable and an option 1/4"/1/8" plug bundled in over the Grado series SR125 and higher But as Rameish pointed out, the DT880 needs an amp to bring out its full potential. Now, I am wondering which amp should I go for? Would the DIY amps posted in the classifieds such as the DIY RA-1 be good enough? Also, one more question, is the cable on the DT880 detachable - it does not seem to be to me. Thanks

Hi "username", thanks for pointing out the physical differences, but I was actually more interested in the sonic quality differences between the sr225 and the sr325i. In this respect, I am surprised that since you were also considering between the sr225 and the sr325i, you did not even audition the sr225 considering that the difference in pricing can nearly get you a sr80, which is itself not a shabby can by all accounts Great, will consider that Hi Mackie, a great thank you to you for this "lobang". I just called up someone by the name of Albert who kindly agreed to reserve one set for me

Thanks for the additional information, in particular, Rameish's post was very insightful, but it also means that my decision is now made more difficult as there isn't a phone that is good all round unless I go for broke. I have never considered buying multiple headphones but I guess now this may not be as far fetched as it would have been to me prior to Rameish's post. But getting multiple phones will have to be put on hold till I budget for it For now, probably the closest in terms of what I want and price is the SR225 as mentioned by Rameish. Rameish also mentions the 325i. What advantages does this phone offer over the SR225 for $150 more? If the difference is not a lot, I may stick to the SR225. Also, two issues I have with the Grados - I find that for comfort, I very much prefer the Senns and the Beyers. The other issue is that the Grados stock cable is somewhat shorter than the Senns, so I may need an extension cable. Is this expensive and would this degrade the sound quality?

Thanks for the response. From the responses, my impression seems to be that the grados are bright, the senns are less forward sounding, the beyers are neutral with good bass OK so the dt770 is out. I guess the best is to audition the models recommended here but from what J-ohn has posted, it appears that for the different brands, I'll have to go to different places to audition. That will make a comparison difficult - so perhaps I'll also ask "If you had $500-$600" to spend on a phone, what would you go for and why?" As for the amp, I've not factored in to my budget but will do so in due course. BTW someone is selling a RA-1 amp here http://www.sgheadphones.net/index.php?showtopic=3981 Is this good enough for my purpose?

Hi I would appreciate a recommendation for a mid priced headphones that is suitable for most genres of music although I go mainly for vocals, instrumentals and occasional pop and rock. My budget is up to $500+, although the lower the better I have done a little research and several brands/models that are in my list include: 1) the grado series sr 80/125/125/225/325 2) the sennheiser series hd 5XX to hd600 3) beyerdynamic dt770 pro, dt880 I'm open to recommendations for other brands and models. Currently I am seriously considering the sr325 vs hd600 vs dt880. Would appreciate comments. At the same time, I've also heard a lot of good comments about the cheaper sr225, sennheiser 595, 580 so should I go for these since they may offer better value and for the higher end phones, diminishing returns start to kick in and are more difficult to drive?