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roborg
6
Jan 7, 2019
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Total headphone amp newby here so please dont bash me too hard but I'm left wondering why do people want headphone amp that requires a DAC when there are so many amps that are digital with good dacs built in? Is it just the whole 'separates' thing? The audiophiles go amp and pre-amp rather than integrated (though with quality equipment I highly doubt they could tell the difference)... is the desire for separate headphone amp & dac a similar thing?
Sujay Rao
109
Jan 8, 2019
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roborgDACs and Amps in one unit may have higher levels of interference from all that electronics and their power requirements. This results in more distortion, higher levels of background noise (floor noise) and generally lower quality music. Having separate units probably reduces that problem. JDS Elements with their stacked “separates” vs unitised DAC-amp is a case in point. I think the outcry among the oracles is that the separates probably perform better that the latter.
The other obvious thing is that having separates allows one to mix and match at will. In some devices a DAC-amp provides a bypass facility where the built-in DAC can be cut out and a separate external DAC of your choice can be used.
Regarding amp-preamps vs integrated units, I have a pure tube stereo amp. This is a less expensive unit and cannot be driven very weak signal from a DAC output. That is why I need a preamp. Alternately a preamp could connect to the output from a phone, tablet or computer to provide just the right drive into powered speakers. A full blown amp would probably overdrive them.
Outside of these situations, most dedicated preamps tend to be expensive and used to feed even more expensive power amps or even mono-blocks (separate power amps for each channel).
roborg
6
Jan 8, 2019
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Sujay RaoThanks Sujay, that is what I was thinking. But then you hear a comment like this: My La Figaro amp has a humming even when no RCA cable is connected to it. I moved it to a different location and it still hums. I tried several different HP, with either dynamic drivers or planar magnetic. No difference if connected directly to a power outlet , power strip, or Panamax 5510. It plays music just fine. Trying another amp, "Little Dot MK III" tube amp, it doesn't do that at all when connected to the same power outlet or digital music player. I checked to make sure the power outlet is grounded. I took the amp far from any electronics but the hum is persistent. The hum increases as volume is turned higher. I wonder if I'm missing something.
So I think ultimately, it comes down to the quality of the components rather than the quantity. While I love the idea of tubes it's more of an aesthetic thing as I havent listened to tubes in many years. I wish there were more audio shops that I could go to and demo... I'll look to do that on my next trip to NY or Chicago. Thanks for your input!
Sujay Rao
109
Jan 9, 2019
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roborgAgree. I have at least 4 tube headphone amps this has t happened to me. Yet. Just lucky I guess. But I’ve heard solid states do this too. Remember an old British amp called Armstrong that used to be highly regarded in the 70s that my used to love. Bummed like crazy.
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