Good headphone amp with EQ?

[JiiPee]

One solution could be a DSpeaker Antimode X2 + Schiit Magni, for example.

Antimode X2 provides:
- DSP based signal processing, A/D- and D/A-conversions
- Inputs: 1 x analog RCA, 1x Toslnink, and 1x USB
- Outputs: 1 x Analog RCA stereo out + Analog subwoofer out

MSRP for X2 in Europe is 625 €

Edit: Maybe I should add that afaik, the manual PEQ in X2 is somewhat more restricted than the requirements in op - basically limited to 3 channels, but then again,. in my experience it should still be enough to take care of most reasonably good headphones .

 

[pollock0424]

I'm in the same predicament as well, I use my headphones with cassettes and CDs. I have been using Yamaha C85 preamp, it has variable loudness, 2 band PEQ, and many more features. It is a vintage equipment though. With Sennheiser HD660 I barely go to 1/3rd of the volume knob and it is loud already. I also have a Sabaj A10h but I think that headphone amp in C85 can drive a lot more than the Sabaj.

Also, C85 has MC/MM preamps, apparently some of the best! I don't know anything about TTs so I don't know much.. but I can see that it has variable capacitance loading also.

I have been meaning to fully recap this unit and possibly look into upgrading the volume knob, var-eq knob, peq knobs, and pay special attention to the headphones amp.. but I have 10 other projects in the pipeline.

 

[pollock0424]

Okay, I bit the bullet and bought the RME ADI-2 Pro FS from Reverb today. I'm excited to start this journey. I used to have a miniDSP SHD before.

 

[Deleted member 71304]

I am testing a wiim mini connected via optical to my JDS Labs Element III for PEQ.
I can barely hear a difference when switching between no eq and the PEQs suggested by Amirm and Oratory (for the Sennheiser hd650)
Maybe this is due to poor PEQ implementation on the mini?
Anyone had a similar experience so far?

 

[DEF]

I am testing a wiim mini connected via optical to my JDS Labs Element III for PEQ.
I can barely hear a difference when switching between no eq and the PEQs suggested by Amirm and Oratory (for the Sennheiser hd650)
Maybe this is due to poor PEQ implementation on the mini?
Anyone had a similar experience so far?

Is it actually possible that you somehow bypass it ?

 

[Deleted member 71304]

Is it actually possible that you somehow bypass it ?

Yes this is probably the case but I wonder how?
I have tried playing with the graphic eq with extreme changes (like for example turning all sliders below 1 Khz all the way down) and the change is audible, but when it comes to the PEQ it looks as if it is doing nothing at all

 

[DonDish]

Yes this is probably the case but I wonder how?
I have tried playing with the graphic eq with extreme changes (like for example turning all sliders below 1 Khz all the way down) and the change is audible, but when it comes to the PEQ it looks as if it is doing nothing at all

If you cant hear a difference when adjusting a PEQ its not turned on. Changes should be as pronounced as with a graphical EQ.

 

[tcpip]

One solution could be a DSpeaker Antimode X2 + Schiit Magni, for example.

Antimode X2 provides:
- DSP based signal processing, A/D- and D/A-conversions
- Inputs: 1 x analog RCA, 1x Toslnink, and 1x USB
- Outputs: 1 x Analog RCA stereo out + Analog subwoofer out

MSRP for X2 in Europe is 625 €

Wow! What an interesting product. Till now, I used to think that such products at sub-$1,000 prices were only available from MiniDSP (and there too, their more high-end models breach that price limit).

I'm still reading about the products. Thanks a lot.