[alexsabree]

I have just recently started spending a little more money on audio and plan on getting an amplifier...

I really dont know how much money to spend, and i have no idea how to put an amp kit together let alone how they work (i have the general idea)

So im pretty much clueless

Is $50-100 on an amp a good price for an amp with a single heaphone out jack?

Which amp do u think should compliment an Xfi-XtremeMusic / Koss UR-40
(the headphone is like $50 at radio shack)

Thanks,
Alexsabree

[Crysalis]

What are you wanting an amplifier for? To get louder? If so, then you're going about it the wrong way.

You need to check the DETAILED specs on headphones. The sensitivity and response being the highest factor in choosing them. You want a good range (at least 35hz-20khz) and a sensitivity above 95db. The higher the sensitivity, the louder they will get.

If you get an amplifier for headphones that have a sensitivity of 85db, all you will get is distortion.

My studio headphones (audio technica ATH-M40fs) are rated at 100db sensitivity.... I can actually get headaches from listening to them for too long. Even those aren't even REAL loud.

Before you spend the money on an amplifier (which IMHO, is a waste), spend that money on better headphones.

[alexsabree]

wow thanks...

but im still confused about the frequency response.

What is the first number for and what is the second number for?
I remember someone saying somthing about pitch and stuff.
If the numbers are farther apart does that make the headphones sound better?

[003]

All headphones benefit from an amplifier but how much depends a lot on impedance (there are special cases where this is not the case). But normally I would get one if the impedence is 80ohms or higher. MABEY 60, if you have a really weak source (like the back of a sound card or mp3 player).

[alexsabree]

mine have like an impendence of 32

But let me first explain what i wanted an amp for....

Well i like tweeking my xfi with the bass boost and such, and when i do it limits how loud my headphones can go, and for music, its a little to low

So i would like to make it handle the bass and loudness i adjust it to

hopefully that makes sense

[Crysalis]

That is probably to protect the headphones... meaning, the settings you are setting are dangerous for headphones at loud volumes.

[003]

Originally posted by alexsabree
mine have like an impendence of 32

But let me first explain what i wanted an amp for....

Well i like tweeking my xfi with the bass boost and such, and when i do it limits how loud my headphones can go, and for music, its a little to low

So i would like to make it handle the bass and loudness i adjust it to

hopefully that makes sense

If it's limited in software an amp won't help.

[alexsabree]

so what does an amp do?

[Crysalis]

amplfies. But, as I said, for headphones, it is meant to amplify a signal to power multiple headsets.

[alexsabree]

so what kind of frequency response am i looking for?