Could someone explain headphone amps to me?

[Coolschmid]

So lets say I got a pair of Beyerdynamic DT990 pros. I have a few questions about headphone amps.

1. Whenever I am doing anything serious I am using my saffire 6 usb audio interface. I can just plug these into the headphone output slot without an amp and use them fine, right?

2. But when I use them with my ipod or just my plain old laptop 1/8" output (when I am on the go) I need an amp (along with the proper 1/4 to 1/8 converter, of course), right?

3. If I want to maintain good sound quality/flat-ish response, do I need to shell out hundreds more ($) on a good headphone amp or can I just buy one of these 30-50 dollar things on amazon?

4. What is a good headphone amp?

[Khazm]

Ok, I'm gonna try answer your question, although I don't know much about headphone amps.

1. Yes, as far as I know. You should be fine with your interface.

2. Not too sure about this one, not gonna try answer it.

3. No, I really doubt it. As far as I know, a headphone amp is to increase a weak signal, or add power to it? (don't know what I'm talking about)

4. Google.

[Electric_Head]

khazm - why`d you bother?

Does the Saffire 6 have a built in headphone amp?
My interface has a built in amp but it was underpowered for the DT990 - 250 ohm.
You might have the same issue.
Generally 250 ohm or upwards require descent amping to allow the headphones to play to their full potential and to not distort at lower volumes.
80 ohms can run without amping generally.
Amping has nothing to do with flat response, the headphones will always have the same reponse.
The amp will just help the headphones to play optimally at high or low volumes because they won`t be battling for power.

I would suggest you look at a Cmoy BB.
http://www.jdslabs.com/products.php
It retails for around $60.
It`s all you need.

Don`t go for one of the Fiio E5 thingies, total waste really if you`re serious about headphone amping.

[Ongelegen]

What interface are you rocking Ray?

The Cmoy BB looks like a nice DIY project

[Electric_Head]

I have the ESI Neon.
It does the job very well but it is just underpowered.
So I find it distorts at times if I try to push the volume.

Once I got the Cmoy it all changed.
I actually considered building my own but I was too impatient to wait for the parts to arrive.
I had my own tin already
It arrived fast and I order gold plated cables and a dc connector.

I`ve had it for a week and a bit now and I still haven`t had to replace the 9v battery or get a DC adapter.
Very little power for what it puts out.
Can`t go wrong.
The BB button is never going to be used by me as the DT990 have ample bass.

[Ongelegen]

I have the ESI Neon.
It does the job very well but it is just underpowered.
So I find it distorts at times if I try to push the volume.

Once I got the Cmoy it all changed.
I actually considered building my own but I was too impatient to wait for the parts to arrive.
I had my own tin already
It arrived fast and I order gold plated cables and a dc connector.

I`ve had it for a week and a bit now and I still haven`t had to replace the 9v battery or get a DC adapter.
Very little power for what it puts out.
Can`t go wrong.
The BB button is never going to be used by me as the DT990 have ample bass.

Ah ok, I have a Saffire LE which has no problem powering the 990's form what I can notice. Before it would distort I probably would be deaf

@ OP:
I imagine the Saffire 6 is very similar to the LE so you won't need an amp.
But for the ipod it is recommended yeah, but to be honest I wouldn't use the 990's outdoors/while traveling anyway as they are open backed

[Electric_Head]

You`ll annoy everyone and yourself.

[Today]

i think most headphone amps are for use in a studio session, where multiple players need to monitor from a cue mix in real time while performing/recording their parts live

not sure though
thats why we have one...

[Electric_Head]

i think most headphone amps are for use in a studio session, where multiple players need to monitor from a cue mix in real time while performing/recording their parts live

not sure though
thats why we have one...

that`s one use