Headphone amp recommendations

[lamaslamas]

Hello, I'm new here, sorry for any dumb or noob question.
I've been told to ask here for some recommendations about a good budget dac /amp, desktop or portable (better), able to drive a pair of 200ohm headphones, specifically the Audeze Lcd-4

Can you guys give me some help?
Budget is around 400€, preferably easy to buy in Europe
Many thanks in advance

 

[solderdude]

You will need an amp that can provide some serious voltage swing.

Audeze specs state 96dB/mW at eardrum level which is a bit misleading.
The headphone is 89.5dBmW and 96dB/V
In order to get it to loud levels without distortion you will need at least a 12Veff voltage swing (34Vpp) = 0.7W in 200 Ohm
This is reached by an amplifier spec'd at 500mW (=0.5W) into 300 Ohm as 200 Ohm is never specified but 300 Ohm often is.
So that's a minimum requirement when looking for a desktop amp.

There won't be many portable amps that do this.
Of course something that can do 6V out will be sufficient for normal listening i.e. not loud.
A portable amp run from 2x 9V battery may be just enough for decent levels.
This would be spec'd as minimal 100mW in 300 Ohm... but as said won't satisfy at louder levels.

 

[lamaslamas]

Thank you!
Can you suggest some desktop amp then?
Or what specs should I look for exactly?

 

[elira]

The iFi iDSD micro BL should be enough for most headphones. It’s a little over your budget but they sometimes have discounts. I got mine new for under 400 usd.

 

[pwjazz]

You will need an amp that can provide some serious voltage swing.

Audeze specs state 96dB/mW at eardrum level which is a bit misleading.
The headphone is 89.5dBmW and 96dB/V
In order to get it to loud levels without distortion you will need at least a 12Veff voltage swing (34Vpp) = 0.7W in 200 Ohm
This is reached by an amplifier spec'd at 500mW (=0.5W) into 300 Ohm as 200 Ohm is never specified but 300 Ohm often is.
So that's a minimum requirement when looking for a desktop amp.

There won't be many portable amps that do this.
Of course something that can do 6V out will be sufficient for normal listening i.e. not loud.
A portable amp run from 2x 9V battery may be just enough for decent levels.
This would be spec'd as minimal 100mW in 300 Ohm... but as said won't satisfy at louder levels.

I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what amp meets the 500mW at 300 Ohm spec, and one that came to mind is one that @solderdude designed, the Garage 1217 Ember II.

 

[lamaslamas]

The iFi iDSD micro BL should be enough for most headphones. It’s a little over your budget but they sometimes have discounts. I got mine new for under 400 usd.

I was looking for that exactly, but many folks discouraged me as it would not be powerful enough for the lcd4

I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what amp meets the 500mW at 300 Ohm spec, and one that came to mind is one that @solderdude designed, the Garage 1217 Ember II.

looks nice, any europe dealer?


What about a schiit Lyr 3? I've been told that also a Topping amp would be suitable, I can't recall the exact model rn

 

[solderdude]

There is no European dealer for G1217. The Horizon and Polaris are also options.
I can do servicing for EU customers should it be needed.
Had been thinking about representing it myself but don't have the time.

The Lyr-3 is a good choice when it comes to having enough power but above the budget.
The Valhalla is also an option when looking at Schiit.

The Topping A30 reaches 10V which is cutting it close for the LCD-4.
It's output impedance is no concern with the LCD-4.
The same voltage the micro idsd can reach b.t.w.
When you never play very loud it is a cheap option.

The question is why drive a 4k headphone with a cheap amp.
Something like the ifi pro-ican won't disappoint but there are many others at this price point.

The LCD4 MX4 or 4Z would be much easier to drive and aren't that 'less' in SQ.

 

[lamaslamas]

I can do servicing for EU customers should it be needed.

Should I decide to get one of G1217 amp may I contact you?

The question is why drive a 4k headphone with a cheap amp.

I know, but I found a deal I don't want to miss, and I won't be able afford also an expensive amp. I was also considering the 4z, but I cannot really stand that gold yokes, I know I'm silly, plus I din't find any convenient deal for that.

Thanks for all your replies

 

[solderdude]

Should I decide to get one of G1217 amp may I contact you?

Of course.
I even have loaners to give it a spin.

 

[lamaslamas]

Great thanks!

 

[GoMrPickles]

You will need an amp that can provide some serious voltage swing.

Audeze specs state 96dB/mW at eardrum level which is a bit misleading.
The headphone is 89.5dBmW and 96dB/V
In order to get it to loud levels without distortion you will need at least a 12Veff voltage swing (34Vpp) = 0.7W in 200 Ohm
This is reached by an amplifier spec'd at 500mW (=0.5W) into 300 Ohm as 200 Ohm is never specified but 300 Ohm often is.
So that's a minimum requirement when looking for a desktop amp.

There won't be many portable amps that do this.
Of course something that can do 6V out will be sufficient for normal listening i.e. not loud.
A portable amp run from 2x 9V battery may be just enough for decent levels.
This would be spec'd as minimal 100mW in 300 Ohm... but as said won't satisfy at louder levels.

Can you explain the math here, and what "loud levels" means? THX 789 AAA with balanced went up to ~3 W at 50 Ohms; nothing that I've seen here comes close to 500 mW into 600 Ohms. (It may exist, I just haven't seen it.) Some Googling led me to Violectric's amps, but that's a different price bracket entirely.