Headphone Amp and Controlling Volume

[mwheelerk]

Recently I have been running a small headphone based system. iTunes>Audivrana Plus>Mac Mini>AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC>Sennheiser HD600 Headphones.

 

In general I am quite impressed and satisfied but have given thought to adding an inexpensive headphone amp (under $300). Two thoughts or questions. First do you think I would realize a significant audio improvement from simply using the amplifier built into the AQ Dragonfly? Secondly I am sitting across the room and not at a desk using this. I currently control the volume using an Apple Remote or via the Screens VNC App on my iPad. Would I lose remote control of the volume using a headphone amp? Can it be remote controlled and how?

[RestoredSparda]

Two thoughts or questions. First do you think I would realize a significant audio improvement from simply using the amplifier built into the AQ Dragonfly? Secondly I am sitting across the room and not at a desk using this. I currently control the volume using an Apple Remote or via the Screens VNC App on my iPad. Would I lose remote control of the volume using a headphone amp? Can it be remote controlled and how?

 

Hi mwheelerk,

 

Though I would chime in as I have owned both the Dragonfly as well as the HD 600 for some time. To your first question, yes you will see an improvement with a dedicated headphone amp, but whether or not it is "significant" is up to your ears. I personally find a very nice improvement by combining the Dragonfly with a cheap Hifiman EF2A. Improvements would be better impact, separation and more headroom without getting harsh. There are of course better options than the EF2A out there. I would personally try out some DIY amps that you can purchase pre-made like the torpedo, or project sunshine. I'm sure others can recommend some better choices as I've only heard the HD 600 with the EF2A and the EF-5 amp.

 

To your second questions, you will still be able to control your volume in the same manner as before, as the Dragonfly is still in control and adjusting the volume. I would recommend setting the Dragonfly to 25 volume and then setting your amp at a level that is somewhat quiet but has no channel imbalance. Then you can adjust the overall volume through the dragonfly. This will take some tweaking on your part to get the best volume range and will depend on the gain of your amp. Sorry if this is a confusing mess, I'm having a hard time explaining it. It is a very simple process though.

 

Hope this helped!

[mwheelerk]

Hi mwheelerk,

 

Though I would chime in as I have owned both the Dragonfly as well as the HD 600 for some time. To your first question, yes you will see an improvement with a dedicated headphone amp, but whether or not it is "significant" is up to your ears. I personally find a very nice improvement by combining the Dragonfly with a cheap Hifiman EF2A. Improvements would be better impact, separation and more headroom without getting harsh. There are of course better options than the EF2A out there. I would personally try out some DIY amps that you can purchase pre-made like the torpedo, or project sunshine. I'm sure others can recommend some better choices as I've only heard the HD 600 with the EF2A and the EF-5 amp.

 

To your second questions, you will still be able to control your volume in the same manner as before, as the Dragonfly is still in control and adjusting the volume. I would recommend setting the Dragonfly to 25 volume and then setting your amp at a level that is somewhat quiet but has no channel imbalance. Then you can adjust the overall volume through the dragonfly. This will take some tweaking on your part to get the best volume range and will depend on the gain of your amp. Sorry if this is a confusing mess, I'm having a hard time explaining it. It is a very simple process though.

 

Hope this helped!

 

How do I set the volume control of the Dragonfly to 25? Is there a Preferences set up or are you talking about simply adjusting via the remote as I now do?

[RestoredSparda]

How do I set the volume control of the Dragonfly to 25? Is there a Preferences set up or are you talking about simply adjusting via the remote as I now do?

 

Appologies for the confusion. By 25 I mean through the system volume, say if you are on OS-X or on Windows the system volume of 25 is a good starting point. I am not sure which audio software you are running, but in your case manually set the volume in your player to a lower volume, basically a quarter of the max volume. Then you can adjust the volume with your remote to a level you like.

 

This is just a way to give you control over the volume without it getting too loud. Having the dragonfly on max volume and then adjusting with the volume pot of the separate amp would be preferred if you were sitting next to it, but to accommodate using a remote the above method would also work. Just set your amp to a moderate low volume and lower the dragonfly volume as well so you have room to adjust levels through the dragonfly alone, never touching the amp.

 

Also, don't be worried about digitally degrading the signal by lowering the dragonfly volume, if you visit the audioquest website they make it clear that the dragonfly utilizes an internal analog volume, but is digitally controlled. Basically you are getting bitperfect data even if you lower the volume.

 

Your apple remote changes the system volume (depending on what music software you are using of course and your settings) but in my experience, even using the software Bitperfect, if the Dragonfly is selected as the DAC your apple remote will control the volume of the Dragonfly which overrides the system volume. There is no data loss and it should be very simple to use.

[GregWormald]

In most cases a decent amp will make a difference to the sound getting to your ears. What your brain will make of this is an individual thing.

 

The Headstage Arrow is right in your price range and gets great reviews. I use mine for travel so I appreciate it's great portability. This may not be an issue for you.

 

Greg

[mav52]

The Schiit Asgard 2 @ $249 drive the HD600 pretty darn good.

[mwheelerk]

The Schiit Asgard 2 @ $249 drive the HD600 pretty darn good.

 

Dang that looks awfully good for that price. I have read some positive things about their products.

[NOMBEDES]

If you want to have some fun, (tube rolling etc) get a tube headphone amp. There are a few (used) in your price range. I use a Woo Tube amp.

 

It is nice to compare tube and solid state. Of course, this is only my opinion and you may not have any interest in tubes.

[alehel]

To be able to control the volume on my own headphone setup I simply use a long usb cable allowing me to place my dacmagic plus next to me despite the computer being further away.

[WINDIANRECORDS]

To note, I absolutely love my Asgard 2; picked it up here in the classifieds and have been using it for a month or so now. It drives my Beyerdynamic DT880 (600 ohms) light years better than the built in headphone outs on my eMU 1820M and Focusrite Saffires... I now have power cords waiting for it in three different areas of the house - I made it portable.

 

It also has a pre-out so it can even act as a volume attenuator in an amp path; I have a Mangavox tube amp that does not have any volume control, and I have used it there when listening. The difference between software attenuation and the ALPS pot that Schiit uses are night and day - at quieter volumes the soundstage and clarity are still there.