Hi all. I hope you can help me to better understand a couple of "headphone amp" options. I've been wanting to build a nice quality headphone amp, and have been looking over the circuits at Headwize for quite some time. But I'm also intrigued by National's LME series of chips. Here's what I'm trying to figure out:
Look at this circuit: (Reduced version of circuit taken from the LME49600 data sheet)
LME49600
This circuit seems so much more complex than many of the Headwize offerings, such as the Cmoy/Grado, and others. I would even think that a simple LME49720, driving something like an LH0002 buffer, (or BUF634), would still provide good fidelity.
So, my question is: what kinds of benefits are there to building the more complex 49600 circuit?
Btw, my current headphones are Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro's. (250 ohm, 100mW max.) My primary source will be the Wolfson DAC output of a Chaintech AV-710.
Thanks all.
Look at this circuit: (Reduced version of circuit taken from the LME49600 data sheet)
LME49600
This circuit seems so much more complex than many of the Headwize offerings, such as the Cmoy/Grado, and others. I would even think that a simple LME49720, driving something like an LH0002 buffer, (or BUF634), would still provide good fidelity.
So, my question is: what kinds of benefits are there to building the more complex 49600 circuit?
Btw, my current headphones are Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro's. (250 ohm, 100mW max.) My primary source will be the Wolfson DAC output of a Chaintech AV-710.
Thanks all.
It looks more complex at a glance because it shows both channels, whereas most amp schematics only show one.
The only real added complexity on this circuit compared to most other buffered headphone amps is the additional opamp in the feedback loop. This is a servo to eliminate DC offset voltage on the output. Most headphone amps wouldn't need this. Maybe this combination isn't very stable and needs a servo where other chips wouldn't? I'm just guessing here. It might just be design overkill.
The only real added complexity on this circuit compared to most other buffered headphone amps is the additional opamp in the feedback loop. This is a servo to eliminate DC offset voltage on the output. Most headphone amps wouldn't need this. Maybe this combination isn't very stable and needs a servo where other chips wouldn't? I'm just guessing here. It might just be design overkill.
This opamps are relatively new series and I dont have any idea about their sound quality..
However, if their sound is comparable with old LM4562 series then its worth to try I guess.
But if you need a "tested" alternative then TPA6120 will be a good canditate for a hi-quality headamp..
However, if their sound is comparable with old LM4562 series then its worth to try I guess.
But if you need a "tested" alternative then TPA6120 will be a good canditate for a hi-quality headamp..
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