MiniDSP IL-DSP Headphone amplifier

[HooStat]

Has anyone used this? What kind of headphone specs would you want to see to be sure it would play well with this (i.e., impedance, sensitivity)? I have some IEMs and am looking at some regular headphones and was curious as to whether I could play with EQ with these and still get good sound quality. The plus is that I can also use the mic for Zoom meetings.

https://www.minidsp.com/products/plate-amplifiers/il-dsp-headphone-amp

 

[samysound]

Curious about this as well. Found a few measurements linked in this review:
https://www.soundstagesolo.com/inde...il-dsp-dac-headphone-amplifier?comment_id=378

 

[daftcombo]

Problem is 30 mW power is rather poor. So with EQ..

 

[bobbooo]

Unfortunately this device seems to have issues with incorrect implementation of the EQ filters which can lead to clipping, and bizarrely for a mobile device it has no app so you have to connect it to a PC to make any changes to the EQ, which severely limits its utility. A better portable device with parametric hardware EQ, controllable via an app, optional LDAC Bluetooth connectivity, and much higher output (up to 4V balanced) would be the Qudelix 5K.

 

[HooStat]

Wow. That device looks great! I just bought an RME ADI DAC, but will get that too and play around with it. It might work great with my IEM for conference calls, and for travel!

 

[A Surfer]

30mW is not adequate for most headphones unless you listen at fairly modest volumes levels, IMO.

 

[samysound]

Has anyone used this? What kind of headphone specs would you want to see to be sure it would play well with this (i.e., impedance, sensitivity)? I have some IEMs and am looking at some regular headphones and was curious as to whether I could play with EQ with these and still get good sound quality. The plus is that I can also use the mic for Zoom meetings.

https://www.minidsp.com/products/plate-amplifiers/il-dsp-headphone-amp

no mic but the more sufficient power output, better processing and nicer DAC
https://www.minidsp.com/products/plate-amplifiers/ha-dsp-headphone-amp
also triple the cost...

 

[Cahudson42]

If the Qudelix does not have enough oomph, as to me seems the case with my (unbalanced) HE400i, I add my NX3s ($70). Not quite as good as my Liquid Spark, but still pocketable. Chain:

LG Rebel TracFone ($29) >OTG USB 3-wire powered cable>Qudelix>NX3s>HE400i

Using Oratory 1990 Harmon PEQ for the HE400i, sounds decent to me. Qudelix app on LG Rebel, simultaneously active to control Qudelix via bt. (No android app for IL-DSP rules it out for me.)

 

[AnalogSteph]

Unfortunately this device seems to have issues with incorrect implementation of the EQ filters which can lead to clipping,

No pre-gain setting? That would be a bit inconvenient for use on a mobile device in particular. Seems a bit of a silly oversight - hopefully this could be added with a firmware update.

 

[Bugal1998]

Has anyone used this? What kind of headphone specs would you want to see to be sure it would play well with this (i.e., impedance, sensitivity)? I have some IEMs and am looking at some regular headphones and was curious as to whether I could play with EQ with these and still get good sound quality. The plus is that I can also use the mic for Zoom meetings.

https://www.minidsp.com/products/plate-amplifiers/il-dsp-headphone-amp

I bought one a couple of months ago when I was headphone shopping... I've only used it once, because I settled on the Hd800s which the IL DSP amp can't power. I just need time to list it and it will be up for sale. I have no idea how it would perform with less power hungry headphones or IEMs.

 

[bobbooo]

No pre-gain setting? That would be a bit inconvenient for use on a mobile device in particular. Seems a bit of a silly oversight - hopefully this could be added with a firmware update.

Doesn't seem so, but it looks like it even digitally clips when the total EQ curve is at (and below) 0 dB.