The category of headphone amplifiers is the least known of all audio components. Hooke Audio will explain How to use a headphone amplifier? and why you might need one.
What is a headphone amplifier?
A headphone amplifier is a relatively small amplifier that boosts the bass audio signal voltage from a source device, such as a PC, smartphone, or turntable, to a level sufficient for your headphones to convert it into sound waves. The amp works the same way as full-size speakers but on a smaller scale.
But how do you use a headphone amp?
What is a DAC?
Modern includes a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) electronic component. The job of a DAC is to convert digital audio data into a low-voltage signal that an amplifier can amplify.
Analog components, such as a cassette deck or record player, don’t require a DAC; these already output low analog signals. -signals of tension. But digital audio devices like smartphones, tablets, and iPods need a DAC and a headphone amp in order to hear sound through your headphones.
What do headphone amps do?
An amplifier can be added between your player and your pair of headphones to improve clarity, detail, and dynamics.
Impedance rating for headphones is something you may be familiar with . The combined resistance and reactivity of headphones to an amplifier acting as an electrical load is called impedance.
- High-impedance headphones require more voltage to achieve a solid listening level. It is an excellent choice for portable players with limited internal battery voltage.
- Low impedance headphones may have a lower damping factor and require more current. An amplifier can improve the sound quality of low impedance headphones.
- An amplifier may be warranted depending on the size and dimensions of your pair of headphones. In-ear and earbud headphones are generally very efficient and will not benefit from an amplifier.
- An amplifier will make larger headphones sound clearer and more natural. Some audiophile models may require an amplifier to achieve desired volume and sound quality, especially when connected to portable devices.
- Headphone amplifiers with internal digital-to-analog converters (DACs) can improve drastically your quality of music listening experience if you have a tablet, computer or laptop.
Use a line-out port on your portable device to connect headphone amplifiers. If there is no line output, you can use the headphone jack to send the audio signal to the amplifier.
Why do I need a headphone amplifier?
Your headphones are a set, but your current audio device doesn’t have one
Many home HiFis don’t come with a headphone jack. This is especially true when you step up to the more expensive standalone audio components. This situation is best resolved by choosing a suitable headphone amplifier.
You have a pair of headphones with a higher impedance and they are not loud enough
- Many headphones available on the market. market needs a lot of power to drive high enough. These headphones are typically high impedance (above 100 ohms).
- Most smartphones and other audio components do not include a headphone amplifier that can provide enough power to drive the toughest. headphones for driving.
You should use your headphones in a different room or while on the go
Your central HiFi system could be in your family room. However, you may want to listen to music in your office or other rooms. You’ll have more choices when it comes to where you can listen to your headphones.
You want to increase the audio quality of your headphones
The right type can make your music listening experience more enjoyable if you are a music lover. Smartphones allocate as little money as possible to the headphone jack. It’s essential enough for it to work. This is the pattern that many home audio components follow.
An amplifier made specifically for headphones and with high-quality ingredients can significantly improve sound quality. Some can also enhance the digital signal through their built-in headphone amp Digital-to-Analog Converter.
Types of Headphone Amplifiers
You can find various sizes of headphone amps, from large home audio components into tiny pieces that can be folded in the palm of your hand. Some can run on batteries, while others require AC power. Some inputs and signals may be supported and will be broken down to choose the right category for your needs.
Analog Only
Comes with one or two analog inputs. This allows you to connect a CD player or your phone’s audio output. Some amps only have a phono input for a turntable. All others have volume control and a headphone jack.
Although these amps are typically small in size, they do require AC power and are designed for home use.
These amps are can be used if your computer does not have a headphone jack. You can create a great-sounding turntable system using just a turntable and headphones.
Computer Audio Only
While many people enjoy listening to their headphones on their computers, let’s face the fact that that are not as good as you would like. Computers will convert the digital files to analog, which is usually as cheap as possible.
A new generation of amplifiers allows you to connect your computer via a USB cable to this amplifier. The amp will come with DACs that are better than the ones on your computer. Some even re-sync the incoming signal to improve synchronization. You can learn more.
There are two types. It will have a USB connector that plugs into the USB connector on your computer. The other will have a standard headphone jack and you can control the volume through your computer. You will need a USB cable to connect the other type of component. The front of this type will have a volume control and a full size headphone jack.
The USB jack powers the amp which is plugged in indirectly. You can connect the amp to your smartphone with the correct adapter cable for much better audio on the go.
Multiple Audio Inputs
These amps will include a USB audio input to a computer or smartphone, analog audio output or digital sound. Some models may have both a digital and analog input.
Headphone amplifiers with multiple audio inputs may be portable or battery-powered. These amps have an excellent section for headphone amps and can drive a power amp or drive a pair of powered speakers.
Each component in your system can be connected to the amplifier that provides the switching. You can also use amplifiers with additional audio outputs to allow you to drive an amplifier or a pair of powered speakers. This will help you build a small but great-sounding system and improve the performance of your headphones.
Streaming Options
Some allow you to add network streaming. This will allow you to download audio files from your network and stream them from your smartphone. You can still connect your computer audio amplifier to your smartphone using adapter cables.
How to Choose Headphone Amplifiers
You can see that there are many input options and places you can wear. Consider all possible uses. You need a headphone amplifier that best suits your selection.
After you’ve decided which category you want to be in, there’s likely a wide range of price points available. Once you’ve chosen the amplifier that best suits your needs, you’ll want to consider some or all of the features.
Form Factor
Can be used on the go, plugged into your smartphone, or as a home component. You’ll need something small and lightweight if you’re using your headphones for primary purposes. There are plenty of options in the component sizes category for home use.
High-Quality Audio Components and DACs
You should pay attention to the internal components of your headphone amplifier if the Audio quality is an important reason you are looking into it. It is often sold with the saying that you get what you pay for. You may find amps with pure Class A or higher-end tube output sections if you’re using an analog-only model.
When adding digital audio to your computer with or inputs note that DACs can have a wide range of sound quality. They will be classified according to a sampling frequency. The higher the number, the better.
Few manufacturers can produce their DAC chips, so they buy an off-the-shelf model. To compare the raw prices of DACs, it’s easy to find the part number. This correlates very closely to sound quality.
Output Type
You’ll need to make sure your headphone amplifiers have an audio-out jack if you intend to use it with a power amplifier or pair of powered speakers. Sometimes the headphone output can drive an amplifier or speaker. If the output rating is higher than 2V, it will work in many situations.
How to use headphone amps?
How to Connect a Headphone Amplifier to a Hi-Fi Amplifier
You probably already have a hi-fi system. This means that all your sources are connected to a HiFi amplifier. How can you get these sources to your hi-fi amplifier, as well as your headphone amps, without needing to unplug them all? Many stereo amplifiers have two options for this purpose: a preset or a REC output.
- The hi-fi amplifier will work as a pre-amplifier if it is connected to the pre-out. In practice, it will adjust the volume of both the hi-fi amplifier and the headphone amp.
- This arrangement can be extremely convenient if your headphone amps do not have a remote control. You can control the volume remotely using the stereo amplifier’s remote control.
- To avoid distortion, it’s important to keep the output level within the limits of what the amplifier can accept. It is better to connect a headphone amplifier to the REC output of an amplifier since the latter has a constant level. Volume can be adjusted from the amp alone and there is less chance of distortion.
- To maximize signal transfer between your sources, whether the amp is connected to the REC output of a hi-fi amplifier or to the amplifier preamp of a HiFi amplifier, it is best to use a high quality RCA cable.
- Electrical installation may affect the ability to associate a headphone amplifier with the REC production. This can cause unwanted noise in the headphones and speakers. It is important to isolate each element with a galvanic filter.
Connect to an AV receiver
Poor quality headphones usually come out of A /V receivers. For the best sound quality, an external amplifier is often required. The best way to connect an amplifier to an AV receiver is to use the receiver’s Zone 2 output.
You can set the output as fixed or variable. To maximize the amplifier’s performance, the volume should be set to a fixed level. The Zone 2 output also allows you to have a separate output, allowing you to listen to your music while watching TV.
Connecting to a Computer
A mini-jack cable can be used to connect a headphone amplifier and a computer. This solution, although practical, is not the most efficient. Your computer’s sound card converts and amplifies music. Even on the most powerful computers, the latter is often of poor quality. A headphone amp with its own DAC is best.
This setup allows you to play hi-res music and DSD files. Your computer cannot decode or read these files without losing any information. The function can be added to an audio DAC, allowing you to have the best quality music possible.
You can still enjoy the best sound quality using a computer. This DAC supports music conversion from your computer via a USB-B input. It can then be connected to the analog RCA output.
Connecting to a Phone
The latest smartphones do not have a minijack output that allows you to connect headphones or internal monitors. Although some smartphones still have this output, the quality is not great and there is not enough power to power the headphones.
- To use the hi-fi headphones at their best, you will need to connect a pair of headphones amplifier to your smartphone. The connection is similar to the one used for computers. You will need a USB audio or USB input amplifier to do this.
- However, the cable required will vary from smartphone to smartphone. Headphone jack sizes come in different varieties, just like headphone amps. You will need an Apple Lightning to USB adapter, which is required for Android models.
You can pair your smartphone with a portable audio DAC or portable amplifier for mobile use. These can also be connected to the USB port of your smartphone.
The only difference is that they are smaller and easier to carry in your pocket.
When not to use an Ampere ?
In-ear headphones and headphones can be used with most smartphones without the need for this device.
Not necessary for noise canceling headphones (built-in headphones). They already have an internal headphone amplifier.
Conclusion
The right type of headphone amplifier can make your music listening experience more enjoyable if you are a music lover. Hooke Audio thinks you already know the true use of each type of audio amplifier owning and using a headphone amplifier. I hope you’re a savvy tech user.
Further reading:
Best Headphone Amplifier of 2023
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