DIY headphone amplifier

jesserparker · 6th August 2004, 03:41 AM

i was just wondering if anyone has any particular non-battery powered diy headphone amplifier designs they've had particular success with. thanks.

sam9 · 6th August 2004, 04:28 AM

Take a look at the attached .pdf. This is very, very quiet. Distortion and noise is below what I can measure. There seems to be a wide latitude regarding what transistors are used, I've tried different combinations with success. It is class A so you need some kind of heatsinking on the outputs. I used small TO-220 on-board type which brings the idling temp down from about 95degC to about 55degC.

I've used a pair of 9V batteries, a regulated supply and a very crude un-regulated supply made from a $9 doorbell xformer, 1N4004's, snubbers and two 220uF caps. All were totally silent. I think optimal is an unregulated supply with a little more substance than i used (I was trying for worst case). If you use more than 15V rails, you may need to increase the value of the output resistor as that is your overcurrent protection.

How do they sound? I'm biased, obviously. Nonetheless, used with good headphones I get the clearest, uncolored sound I've heard. To be honest, and combination of good headphones and a good headphone amp will get similar results. On the otherhand, if you are looking for a classic tube-like sound these aren't for you.

NOTICE: The attached digram may be used for personal use, only. Do not use it to develope a product for sale. Do not re-post on another forum. Do not publish it anywhere. If you wish to do any of these, contact me first for permission.

ftjandra · 6th August 2004, 04:46 AM

I've build both a Pimeta and a PPA using the info from Tangentsoft. He sells the PCB's, which makes them really easy to build. They both sound great with my Beyerdynamic DT770's and Sony CD3000's.

--Ferdi

Oil · 31st August 2004, 11:24 PM

I've had enourmous success with the Gilmore Dynamic Class A headphone amp - although it was designed speicifically with grado's in mind. Head over the http://www.head-fi.org and look at the DIY forums!! and also http://www.headwize.com in the library section.

6th August 2004, 03:41 AM	#1
jesserparker diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ohio	DIY headphone amplifier i was just wondering if anyone has any particular non-battery powered diy headphone amplifier designs they've had particular success with. thanks.

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6th August 2004, 04:46 AM	#3
ftjandra diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA	I've build both a Pimeta and a PPA using the info from Tangentsoft. He sells the PCB's, which makes them really easy to build. They both sound great with my Beyerdynamic DT770's and Sony CD3000's. --Ferdi

31st August 2004, 11:24 PM	#4
Oil diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Midlands, UK	I've had enourmous success with the Gilmore Dynamic Class A headphone amp - although it was designed speicifically with grado's in mind. Head over the http://www.head-fi.org and look at the DIY forums!! and also http://www.headwize.com in the library section.