Do I Need A Headphone Amplifier? – Buying Guide

What’s the point of a headphone amplifier?

One question we get asked a lot is ‘do I need a headphone amplifier?’ This article will inform you of the benefits of adding an amplifier to your existing setup, or buying an amplifier with your new headphones.

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When you’re buying some new headphones it’s always good to think about what your source will be; whether it’s an iPhone, Laptop, DAP (Digital Audio Player), your home HiFi or a bit of everything, figure out which has the lowest output and if it can drive your chosen headphone. So if you use a mobile phone as your main source and you’ve decided on some Shure SE535 earphones which are hard to drive, you will need a headphone amp to add some extra power so you can get the most from your new purchase.

There are plenty of headphones designed to be used with mobile phones and other low powered portable devices; these headphones generally have low impedance (up to 32ohm) and high sensitivity (100db and over) so they are very easy to drive. This doesn’t mean that you won’t benefit from an amp; not only do amps add extra power but they can also change the sound by improving sound stage, separation and depending on the amp add warmth or brightness.

Another benefit of getting a headphone amp is that some of them have EQ settings on them, so you can adjust the amount of bass you want depending on what you’re listening to.

If you have decided to go for a headphone amp you now need to decide which one to go for, there are many to choose from and they go for anything between £20 and £1500. Amps can be split into two main groups, portable and desktop. If you are going for a portable amp then you could go for something like the FiiO E12 which is powerful enough to drive most portable headphones, it is a good size and has a bass boost setting. If you require more power then you could go for the OPPO HA-2 or the Cypher Labs Picollo. Both of these amps can drive most headphones and they will also improve the sound quality, with the HA-2 being slightly warmer than the Picollo. For the harder to drive headphones there is the Cypher Labs Duet. This amp has adjustable gain settings and provides a less distorted, more accurate sound with plenty of power.

If you only use your headphones at home then you should go for a desktop amplifier as they are generally more powerful. There is a much larger range of desktop amplifiers and you really should know what headphone you will be using before choosing the amp, for example if your headphones have a warm/bassy sound then it’s a good idea to go for a brighter/detailed amplifier. This also works the other way around; a warm sounding amp will compliment bright headphones and balance the sound out.

If you have any questions about choosing the right amplifier then give us a call at Hifi Headphones on 01903 768 910 or you can send an email to support@hifiheadphones.co.uk – we will be more than happy to help.

Cypher Labs Theorem 720 Vs. Solo -R / Just Audio AHA-120

Lauri Cular gets his magic towel and liniment ready for The Big Rig Showdown – which is the true mobile music master? The Cypher Labs Theorem 720 vs The Cypher Labs Solo -R / Just Audio AHA-120.

For many a year, we’ve had great fun at the expense of the music fan on the move; what about those roller skaters with half a coconut over each ear? Then of course there’s the Atlas figure with a ghetto blaster and curvature of the spine, and who can forget that legion of listeners with those white buds of mediocrity?

“Darn these Confederate batteries!”

For some however, no compromise is acceptable; great sound quality just has to be paramount. A lump in the trousers causes no embarrassment in such cases. So who exactly is trying to get these big things in our pants?

There’s a wide selection of portable bits and bobs as we all know; with the more static listener, there’s known to be an entry or ‘low’ end of the market and a high end. Portable devices, by the nature of who they’re generally aimed at, are mostly built around price and convenience; some of them only accepting MP3s or similarly lossy file formats.

Apple’s recent impact on the portable audio market is well known, and although their products have a fair reputation for out-of-the-box audio quality, it’s very difficult to satisfy all scrumpers. Due to the success of Apple’s fruits, other manufacturers deem it worthwhile designing ways to improve the sound quality of these devices.

It’s well known that a low-cost cable can be attached to a 30-pin connection which provides a line-out signal; a signal which bypasses the internal amp of the iDevice, to be fed into an external amplifier. This can give sound quality a boost, certainly where less sensitive headphones are involved. Line-out lightning connectors for newer devices are available via Apple, but they ain’t giving them away.

However, this cuts little ice with those who strive for their jive – Apple’s DAC is still doing the conversion to analogue. Perhaps understandably, Apple would not have such a marketable product if all components were as high-spec as possible, and the DAC is no exception. It’s to get the job done adequately.

Apple has been protective in the past when aftermarket manufacturers wanted to get in between their rind and pips; indeed a hefty royalty has been required should anyone want their product to truly interface with the iDevice’s software. This has affected the price of available gadgets greatly; hopefully this is changing.

Fostex’s HPP1 is one example of a DAC which will decode music on an iDevice, but here we will compare two high-end arrangements provided by Cypher Labs and Just Audio.

..The Theorem 720 with iPod Touch

On one side we have the new Theorem 720 from Cypher Labs; an all-in one solution providing both digital-to-analogue conversion and amplification. On the other, we have the Cypher Labs Solo -R, with separate amplification provided by Just Audio’s A-Class AHA-120. How do these compare, and is the extra bulk of a separate amp (and extra connections) worth it?

The headphones I used for this are at a similar level – the effortless Beyerdynamic T1. Being a semi-open headphone, these are not the first choice for portable use but are excellent for judging the subtle differences in sound quality between high-end rigs, and for  illustrating how powerful the amps are.

The Theorem 720 blew me away with its accuracy and power, but the latter depends on the mastering of the recording. For instance Aha’s ‘Take On Me’ (what better to test this against the AHA-120?) was blisteringly loud, but Queen’s ‘Another One Busts the Dust’ needed more headroom. Of course, the T1 headphones are rated at 600 Ohms with 102 dB sensitivity, so the bar’s unrealistically high for portable power requirements. It gives a good comparative impression though.

Bass was present and under good control. The mids had great detail and strength, and the highs were crisp and clean. Soundstage and separation were very immersive, and I was very impressed with what I heard. However, specialist interconnects such as those supplied by ALO Audio were not used, just the standard 30-pin to Micro-B USB connection provided with the Cypher Labs unit.

It’s not hard to imagine that a plethora of high quality interconnects will be available soon for the Theorem.

..Just Audio AHA-120 with the Solo –R and iPod Touch

So then I popped on the T1s with the same 30-pin iPod – now with a Cypherlabs Solo -R, and the Just Audio AHA-120 headphone amp. There was an ALO Audio interconnect between the iPod and Solo -R, and an iBasso 3.5mm to 3.5mm between
the Solo -R and AHA-120. This rig has a slight advantage here.

The bass was a little more present, but by no means excessive. Mids were more recessed than with the Theorem, and high frequencies not so clinically accurate. The soundstage was a little narrower too.

But for all that, I far prefer the Solo -R/AHA-120 combo as it sounds so effortless and natural. The difference is like that of spandex and silk. Spandex is functional, comfortable and easily cared for. Silk on the other hand reqiuires a little more TLC and is expensive. But all that trouble seems unimportant when hitting the town with my silk shirt on – the pleasure of wearing ultra-stylish, comfortable and cool fabrics makes all that seem unimportant.

And so it is with the Solo -R/AHA-120. Even the sound of fingernails scraping the surface of a blackboard would create a large smile across my face when heard through this rig.

Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Duet Portable Headphone Amplifier – Announcement

The Hifiheadphones team is pleased to announce the new Portable Headphone Amplifier from Cypher Labs, the AlgoRhythm Duet is now available to be purchased on our website.

The AlgoRhythm Duet headphone amplifier is perhaps the closest yet to true desktop quality in a portable format. Hear the lowest lows and highest highs. Drive both IEM and large planar magnetic headphones. Ultra low deep and clean background, powerful bass, bold, authoritative and expansive.

Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Duet pairs perfectly with the AlgoRhythm Solo -R or AlgoRhythm -dB. The size, style and colours all match up so now you can have a complete Cypher Labs rig. Three gain settings, balanced input and output using a mini-4 pin connector and single ended 3.5mm input and output.

AlgoRhythm Duet offers volume gain settings optimised for all headphone types, including in-ear monitors and planar magnetic headphones. Markings are laser etched on extruded aluminium for durability.

Features

  • Fully balanced high power analogue headphone amplifier
  • Matches in size and style with the AlgoRhythm Solo -R and -dB for the ultimate portable rig
  • 3 gain settings, balanced input and output and single ended 3.5mm input and output
  • Markings are laser etched on extruded aluminium for durability
  • Single ended line-level analogue output
  • Balanced mini-4 pin input and output (never translated from single ended)
  • Output optimised for all headphone types, including in-ears and planar magnetic headphones
  • Analogue system does not utilise PC driver
  • High capacity lithium-polymer battery – 10-14 hours play time – fast re-charge
  • Designed and assembled in the USA

To purchase the unit, please visit our website:

Buy Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Duet Portable Headphone Amplifier

Cypher Labs Theorem 720 DAC & Headphone Amplifier – Review

Cypher Labs is well known for producing seemingly military grade gadgets for uncompromising audiophiles on the go, but it looks as if the dedication of such users needn’t grow with the passage of time. With the Cypher Labs Theorem 720, digital to analogue conversion AND amplification are taken care of within one handy unit.

First Impressions

The Theorem comes in much the same packaging as its recent predecessors; good for getting the product to you, but likely to turn dog-eared before long if used for storing the item between sessions. There’s a booklet with a few FAQ-type questions and answers, perfect for those who like to get stuck in. I had this unit for the weekend, but was unable to charge it – it is distributed within the UK along with its default 2-pin US plug. Any orders from hifiheadphones.co.uk will of course be shipped with an extra UK-specific power supply.

As luck would have it though, the battery was well charged enough already and I was able to sample the unit both as an DAC with an iPod, and as a PC DAC. The unit comes with connectors for use with the Apple iPhone 5, iPhone 4(s) and some Android devices; depending on software the Theorem can be a DAC for HTC and Samsung models, for instance. I tried to get some functionality on my Huawei handset, but the recommended software is not compatible with my firmware so that was that. Indeed, for supported devices there is a charge for the full version of the suggested app on the Google play store.

The Theorem is built very well and like other Cypher Labs products, it feels as if it wouldn’t be out of place clipped to the side of an Abrams tank. I was careful not to drop it for fear of damaging the floor.

Uses & Features

Now that amplification is a part of what Cypher Labs does, I was looking forward to trying the Theorem as a plain headphone amp with my Walkman before delving any deeper. However there is no ‘Line-in’ socket which was a tad disappointing, and I returned to the office ipod to provide the audio.

There are 3 gain settings (L,M & H) but with my Phonak PFE 232s, I found myself stuck between the lower two settings. Admittedly the 232s have a 49 ohm impedance which is an unusual number, but the lowest gain setting had me wishing for more headroom, and the medium gain hardly allowed any movement of the volume pot before it got too loud. Also the gain selector switch stands proud slightly – I would feel nervous if using in-ear headphones on the street, it’s easy to imagine the switch getting knocked inadvertently.

The USB input is on the same end of the Theorem as the headphone socket which is a good improvement; should the rig go into a pocket or bag, the cables will not be such a problem.

Sound Quality

With my Phonak PFE 232s the presentation was certainly on the cool side for me, at least with the grey filters in the 232s. I exchanged these for the green filters which cut down a bit on the higher frequencies and tamed the sound. There was an unattractive ‘edge’ to the mid-frequencies which needed attention. Other than this, the presentation was very involving and there was a good amount of soundstage for in-ear headphones.

Leaving the 232s, I tried my old AKG K240 DF studio monitors with a very flat frequency response. I have found these headphones indispensable for mixing and arranging, but generally they aren’t the most fun to listen to. However the Theorem made them sound incredible and brought them up to a decent volume for me. Perhaps a little more headroom would be nice for those quieter recordings, but given that these headphones feature 600 ohms of Austrian intransigence, this is very good going for the Theorem.

Finally I tried the HifiMAN HE-400s which really is a superb match. The relative brightness of the amp (for me) complimented the HE-400’s warm character, and there is more than enough power to drive these orthodynamic headphones to their full potential.

Verdict

An excellent choice for those who will accept no compromise when on the move, and who have headphones which will reveal the extra information which the Theorem can glean. Big pockets are still needed to afford the device and carry it about, but given that it does the same work that two units did formerly, those pockets needn’t get too frayed.

Pros

  • One unit instead of two
  • Headphone cable/USB connections at the same end of the device
  • Good and powerful

Cons

  • Gain selector switch can be knocked accidentally
  • No 3.5mm Line In socket
  • Android devices require a separate app which is not free

Cypher Labs Theorem 720 DAC – Announcement

The HifiHeadphones team is pleased to announce the new DAC & Portable Headphone Amplifier from Cypher Labs, the Theorem 720 is now available to be purchased on our website.

Cypher Labs latest creation, Theorem 720 DAC combines a fully integrated high-quality headphone amplifier with a high-end digital-to-analogue converter for PC, Apple and Android devices.

Delivering clean, high quality audio from iPod, iPhone, Mac or PC, the Theorem 720 DAC offers asynchronous conversion of the USB output, not only a pass through of the line-out. Two headphone outputs support single ended or balanced set-ups while a line level analogue output caters for connection to amplifiers or powered speakers. Volume gain settings optimised for all headphone types make the Theorem capable of driving even very demanding headphones with ease.

The large capacity replaceable Li-polymer battery charges Apple devices while playing up to 18 hours with a fast re-charge time of 4 hours. The battery features AC switching that is totally isolated for a clean power delivery.

  • Headphone amplifier and digital-to-analogue converter in one unit
  • Delivers uncompressed, high quality audio from iPod, iPhone, Mac or PC
  • High resolution audio up to 24bit / 192kHz
  • High-end AKM 24 bit DAC model 4396
  • Automatically detects computers or Apple Devices
  • Two headphone outputs support single ended and balanced set-ups
  • Line level analogue output to connect to amplifiers, powered speakers or home audio equipment
  • Volume gain settings optimised for all headphone types
  • Large capacity replaceable battery charges Apple devices while playing up to 18 hours
  • Fast re-charge time of 4 hours
  • Precision machined all aluminium enclosure for maximum durability
  • Lightweight and compact

To purchase the unit, please visit our website:

Buy Cypher Labs Theorem 720 DAC & Portable Headphone Amplifier