Compatible headphone amplifiers to this set? I have been browsing around for the right amplifier that will really make the PC 350s boom. I was looking at the Behringer HA400, but I found out those only have 1/4" jacks, which would not be compatible unless you buy at least $10 worth of adapters to make it work. I'm wondering which amp will bring that pounding quality that everyone seems to be talking about. Compatible headphone amplifiers to this set? I have been browsing around for the right amplifier that will really make the PC 350s boom. I was looking at the Behringer HA400, but I found out those... » Read More Compatible headphone amplifiers to this set? I have been browsing around for the right amplifier that will really make the PC 350s boom. I was looking at the Behringer HA400, but I found out those only have 1/4" jacks, which would not be compatible unless you buy at least $10 worth of adapters to make it work. I'm wondering which amp will bring that pounding quality that everyone seems to be talking about. « Show Less
135967
I have the Claro Halo and it is absolutely outstanding.I bought it about a year ago for $200 and they are still $200 today, but it is an outstanding sound card not only for the headphones of which it is virtually made for but also everything else.WAY better than any Creative manure.
135968
I use the Fiio, it uses a single AAA battery, its cheap and ill be damned if it doesnt make these bad boys light up!
135969
There is a sound card from HT Omega that has a built in headphone amp. With replaceable op amps, and 1/8" jacks. The Claro Halo I think, bit pricey, but sound is awesome, and no driver bloat like Creative Labs.
94669
well, it's really hard to say. i never heard of these speakers until now. i reviewed them on youtube and i'm ipressed. how they will sound with this amp is a mistery to me. but, try to find info on-line of people who use these speakers for music. sorry i can't help anymore than that. happy hunting. but, if these speakers are amplified i would'nt recommended it. you'll probably blow them. thanks...aj..
949101
I have run it with Sennheiser HD 800, Grado PS 1000, and Audeze LCD3. AK 240 plays well with any of them, but Audeze LCD3 is the best. I have used the AK 240 with these three pairs of headphones either as standalone or coupled to my Nuforce 192k DAC. The sound changes, but I would not say that it is degraded by interposing the amp.
2207783
I'd start by just plugging right into your receiver and see how you like the sound. some receivers have decent headphone amps, others have horrid ones. I don't know your model, but my Yamaha has the horrid type unfortunately. if you find you don't like the sound, be it too muffled, thin, or lifeless, then add an amp. there are many you can add. I run mine on a schiit vali and I love the pairing. the schiit magni is a good amp as well, more versatile than the vali. there is the jds labs o2 amp, and many many more. you'll need a line out from your receiver though. I was shocked to learn mine did not have any line level outs, so I had to run an optical out to an optical dac, and connect my headphone amp to the dac.
1682545
You could get by with a cheaper model. If it was me I'd buy the Behringer MDX 4600. That one is a 4 channel that is good if you run subs independent of your mains. My gate is built into my Behringer x32 pa. But as I understand out board gates they run from your pa main out into the gate and from the gate to your speakers. That allows the gate to clamp down on any noise prior to hitting your speakers.There are a tone of videos I'd bet on YouTube that can teach you how to set up the gate to work the way you need it to based on what music you are playing.
357188
Definitely avoid Audiosource. I ended up buying a DBX 215 graphic EQ. I've used DBX equipment in the past and it's solid professional stuff. The 215 is a 15 band EQ which is designed for a rack system and for musical instruments but is slim and small enough to fit in with your home sound system. The only adjustment you'll need are 4 plug adapters that you can get from Radio Shack with an RCA female input from your stereo to a male standard guitar output. They're inexpensive, only a few dollars. I've had DBX for a few years now with excellent results. No distortion, just excellent professional sound quality. I bought it off of Amazon. You might have to go to the musical instrument section on Amazon to find it. It does boost the volume and sound but whether it would act as a good preamp I'm not sure. My system is disc player to EQ to amp. I haven't used my turntable is years. Good Luck
1845669
Thats like asking MaryAnn or Ginger. I am using a Sony HiRes Amp and they sound fantastic. Any good quality piece of kit will let these great speakers sound good. It's a choice of your taste and wallet.
1242076
Agree with other folks who posted; get a headphone amp or maybe a USB DAC to take on the work of sound processing from the integrated sound card. Though they have gotten better integrated sound cards suck compared to a dedicated card or device. I was looking at picking up Audioengine D1 24-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter for my PC; so that I can connect my monitors and also use the head phone jack for these PC350 or my HD 600s.
1490916
Robert, re: Use w/head amp and handling + impedance? - Yes, I use the Pure I-20 DAC ( $100; from an Onkyo receiver ), into a $50 Rolls HA43 Pro amplifier, and my source is a 4th gen, 8gb ipod. Nothing fancy but it works fine. Now as far as the impedence, yes, I use 50mm Mono 8323's mainly with this setup and it easily pushes them. I have used bigger Shure and AKG headphones and this setup has pushed them fine also.BB
87411
There are a lot of options, and it depends on what you'll be using them for. I just listen to music most of the time, so I use a Yamaha A-S500 integrated amplifier. It has worked great for me.
575798
I would have to say that the AD121 does work as a preamp. I am sorry, I have never used the pb-100 by behringer so I can't offer any comparison. I use Martin OOCXAE, which has Fishman electronics. By itself, the Martin sounds good, with the AD121 I feel it sound is louder and I am able to tweek my sound and tailor it to my taste. I still can preserve the acoustic/electric sound with out it getting muddied up from too much processing.
1153022
The Behringer powered speaker you have is ok for the price. When you can afford it, move up to QSC K series units.To add to the good advice in both responses.....I suspect you may be using a 1/4" phone plug which may be stereo in a mono input, follow the advice in answer 2, and use decent XLR pro grade cables. Also, you may be over driving the power module in the speaker by using the wrong mixer/out - speaker/in combination.
1145681
http://www.amazon.com/PH4-600-Phantom-4-Channel-Bridgeable-Amplifier/dp/B0032FOKWE/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1383543490&sr=1-5&keywords=boss+amplifier+4+channel This is what i am running them on as well as these:http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-DB6501-6-5-Inch-Component/dp/B000P0R6LQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1383543558&sr=1-4&keywords=polk+tweeters Beautiful combo for a crazy awesome price. Also throw this inhttp://www.amazon.com/PH5000D-Phantom-5000-Watt-Monoblock-Amplifier/dp/B0032FOKX8/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1383543645&sr=1-1&keywords=5000+watt+boss with a pair of these: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_14747_Polk-Audio-MM1240DVC.html And nobody will want to get in your back seat haha. This is what I'm running and for the money you can't go wrong. Also dont be afraid to spend good money on your wire kit, its a big deal and will make all of your expensive stuff sound like crap if you dont use good gauge cable.
949102
With ease. I use the HD 800 with it. Plenty of power and to spare. An additional headphone amp would be redundant and likely degrading of sound. And I own the list of HP amps. You name it, I own it. The AK240 is truly a standalone player.
1322858
For starters, I am an electrical engineer so I won't be giving you any hocus pocus, here, but I'll try not to be too technical. The main "real" reason you might use a separate amplifier for your headphones would be to isolate the source from the varying impedance of the headphone sound transducers. Output amplifiers for headphones (or any speaker) can be weak and a stronger amplifier will be more resistant to that varying impedance. Also, a stronger amplifier can usually produce a larger signal without clipping, which is when the output voltage (or current) reaches the maximum voltage (or current) the amplifier can supply. That is really the only technical reason to use an external amplifier. A second reason to use an external amplifier is because the amplifier might change the sound in a way you find pleasing even though it may be less accurate. Tube amplifiers tend to have higher harmonic distortion than transistor amplifiers but also tend to produce more even order harmonics which sound less harsh (or so I've read). When tubes are driven to their maximum, they tend to produce less objectionable distortion than transistors for a similar reason. But really, the main reason to buy one of these and put it on your desk at work or wherever is because it looks cool and people will ask you about it and then you can tell them all kinds of things either true or made up about why you use it.
2263629
i have used a peavey20usb with crown,qsc,and a few other brand amps,crown are my favorite.also peavey,their just priced alot higher to get the same clean power.i have been wanting to check into their new series though, ipr i think,and the 3800 peavey is a great buy.3800 watts at4 ohm mono compared to a crown xti4000 at 3200 watts @4ohm mono at a better price. peaveys starting to get some good amps that will power their speakers and not cost hundreds more to do it, and last last forever. josh
1045446
Hank 51 and Thomas H. are correct, and I wholeheartedly agree with their comments. I've used mine as well with a high-powered vintage Quad (British manufacturer) amp, and they sound great. Just watch the volume level, as these guys have already stated.