How do i use a headphone amp with XDA-1

[gmoney80]

Hey guys i have a question. How do I use my creek obh-11 headphone amp with an xda-1 and a upa-2 setup used for 2 channel listening . Basically I want to listen to my headphones and speaker setup at different times without having to unplug anything. Would the XDA-1 be the best option or would it be easier to run the USP-1 in this scenario. Thanks

[monkumonku]

Oct 18, 2010 11:58:19 GMT -5 gmoney80 said:

Hey guys i have a question. How do I use my creek obh-11 headphone amp with an xda-1 and a upa-2 setup used for 2 channel listening . Basically I want to listen to my headphones and speaker setup at different times without having to unplug anything. Would the XDA-1 be the best option or would it be easier to run the USP-1 in this scenario. Thanks

The USP-1 has tape monitor jacks that you can use for connecting your headphone amp. The XDA has a balanced output (I think) and one set of RCA outs so that will be more problematic because the UPA-2 has no balanced inputs.

[spork]

As the XDA-1 is a DAC and the USP-1 is a two channel preamp, it would be impossible to say which would be best for you without first knowing more information, such as if you have another DAC to use and what it is.

Do you currently only have analog sources and you now wish to add a digital source?

If not and you already have the USP-1 as your signature suggests, and given what I have read about the USP-1's headphone stage, what would stop you from using the USP-1 as your headphone amplifier in your current setup? (Granted, I have no experience with either the Creek OBH-11 or the USP-1 as a headphone amplifier to give a direct comparison.)

[gmoney80]

Hey, sorry guys its not actually my setup but my roomates so pay no attention to my signature. He is setting up a new 2 channel system and just pre ordered the XDA-1 has a UPA-2 and svs bookshelves. bought the creek headphone amp has a sony cd player, and will be buying a new high end desktop computer. He just wants to know how he can use his headphone amp for his grados and use his amp for his speakers when he wants it played loud, if this is possible.

[spork]

Assuming only the XDA-1, UPA-2, and Creek OBH-11 in addition to sources:

Sources (CD Player/Computer) [COAX|USB|Optical] -> XDA-1 [RCA OUT] -> [RCA IN] Creek OBH-11 [RCA OUT] -> [RCA IN] UPA-2

(I was not able to find out if the Creek OBH-11's RCA output works as a pass-through (preferable) or if it acts as a preamplifier output.)

His other option, which may be a better route in terms of sound quality (though still not ideal, and I tend to always stay clear of XLR into RCA adapters, personally), would be:

Sources (CD Player/Computer) [COAX|USB|Optical] -> XDA-1 [XLR OUT] -> XLR to RCA Cable (Pins 1, 3 of the XLR become the RCA ground with pin 2 remaining hot.) -> [RCA IN] UPA-2

AND

Sources (CD Player/Computer) [COAX|USB|Optical] -> XDA-1 [RCA OUT] -> [RCA IN] Creek OBH-11

This second option makes use of both output paths of the XDA-1.

So yes, it looks to be doable, but neither of the above chains are ideal, and you would not be taking full advantage of the XDA-1. (Ideally you would want to use the XDA-1's XLR out into an XPA series amplifier.)

Does he have wiggle room in his budget at all?

Out of the two, headphones or speakers, which does he use more often?

[gmoney80]

he does have a little wiggle room in his budget he also listens to his speakers more. Would it just be better to go with the usp-1?

[SticknStones]

Oct 18, 2010 15:43:19 GMT -5 gmoney80 said:

he does have a little wiggle room in his budget he also listens to his speakers more. Would it just be better to go with the usp-1?

He could do the USP-1 and there is a listing in the Emporium.

[spork]

If he has wiggle room in his budget I would definitely consider telling him to get the USP-1. He could then do as monkumonku suggested and use the Creek OBH-11 via the tape jacks. Although, frankly, he may find that the USP-1's headphone stage has better sound quality and use that.

The issue here is that he would still need a good DAC to use the USP-1 with his computer (and with his CD player if its built-in DAC does not offer sufficient sound quality).

For his particular situation, I am not sure if I would get both the USP-1 and the XDA-1 even if he could afford it. The XDA-1 will be excellent, I am sure, but readings on these boards suggest that the XDA-1 is only truly realized when you can take advantage of its fully differential balanced output, which the USP-1 will not.

Of course I have obviously not had the XDA-1 in my hands and could be entirely wrong altogether, and then again, for $300 the XDA-1's unbalanced stage may still be worth it as most solid DACs will cost this or more.

Really, it is a question of budget. The USP-1 is already putting him $100 over the XDA-1, but the USP-1 would be the perfect counterpart to his UPA-2 and provide an easy means to add a sub in the future with HT integration down the line.

If he is willing to go with used gear, I would check out sticknstones Emporium suggestion and then price out a DAC to accompany it, perhaps even the XDA-1.

[roadrunner]

The USP-1 would make using your friend's gear far easier than the other options he is looking at. The USP-1 is a perfect companion piece for the UPA-2 amp and the USP's headphone amp is excellent. Your friend could sell the Creek to offset the cost of buying the USP-1.

Have your friend read the review that Secrets of Home Theater HiFi published a few months ago. The USP-1 will also give your friend a great deal of flexibility in growing his system as time passes and will make it easy to move up to a full blown Home Theater system without having to buy all new equipment.

[gmoney80]

thanks everyone for help on this I also think that the USP-1 is the best solution. It works perfectly with my computer and sounds amazing. Can't wait to get my UPA-1's in the mail.

[mrla]

You can use the Lavry DA-10 XLR outputs to drive your headphones. I don't see why XDA-1 can't.

[TruBrew]

Oct 21, 2010 10:27:07 GMT -5 mrla said:

You can use the Lavry DA-10 XLR outputs to drive your headphones. I don't see why XDA-1 can't.

I was wondering if that was possible, what type of headphones do you have. I own a pair of Beyer dt880s but plan to eventually buy a balanced pair of Beyer t1's. I know they are hard to drive headphones so I was doubting a DAC/preamp like the XDA-1 could handle it, but I would definitely like to know. If it would work it would sure save me a ton of money.

If anyone has any more experience with this I would love to hear about it.

[mrla]

Senn HD650

[TruBrew]

Thanks, that helps a little. the HD650's are 300ohm if I remember, mine are 600's, but both hard to run. Here is my situation. I am buying 2 XDA-1's. one for my main stereo in the living room, and another for what will become my headphone system, Currently it is just an mediocre Yamaha receiver and my DT-880's. I had planned my future purchases to be first, new balanced headphone amp, then, T1 headphones, then last, send off headphones for re-cabling.


If i skipped headphone amp and went straight to balanced headphones, it would suck it the XDA could not run them and They became basically useless until i could save up for an amp.

If I bought an amp first, I could use it's single ended output to run my 880's, and later stock T1's before balancing them. If however the XDA turned out to have enough power to run my headphones, I would feel dumb spending all the time and money on extra equipment I do not need.

There is a third option, which will was some money in a way, but may be best. Send out my 880's to be re-cabled and try running them through the XDA and see if it works.

I hope that after it comes out there will be someone who can give it a test, but my hopes are low considering the lack of conversation on this thread. From what I have read 600ohm headphones need a large voltage swing, not high current. Most amp's don't advertise voltage so I am having trouble compare. the XDA-1 says it does 12VRMS (balanced), I have no idea if that is a lot or a little.

[mrla]

May I ask why you're stuck with DT880's? DT990's are better in every category...easier to drive too.

we don't know how good XDA-1 is until we try them with our equipment. If the XDA-1 output at 2volts or more max it should be able to drive my cans and yours as well. My plan for XDA-1 is to replace Lavry DA10 where i use it with my NHT XD 2.1 system. XDA-1 will definitely looks better with NHT XDA amp.

[TruBrew]

Well I bought the 880's because I read more good things about them than the 990's I can't say I like them better from personal preference because I don't know anywhere around here that sells them for me to try out. Similar to how my next purchase will be the T1's due to them getting the most favorable opinions I have read.

Ideally I would be able to test those along with, HD800's, PS1000's, and LA7000's, but that is unlikely to happen. I have been to a few high end audio stores in the city, bu they all have their own niche, none of which include headphones.

[mrla]

have you tried looking around in head-fi.org forum?

From what I could gather by reading there Beyer T1 are amazing cans; it's pricey though >1k...I have to sell the DA10 and HD650 just o buy those T1.

[TruBrew]

Yeah, they are expensive, and it will take me a while before I can afford to buy them, but I figure it will be worth it. My main stereo costs a good deal more, and I use it maybe 30% of the time. The rest of the time I am on my computer with headphones. I realized I should prioritize my spending to catch up with my actual usage. My only concern with the T1's is I have heard they are tight, and I have a largish head. I have tried on a pair of 770pros, my friend owns, and I would say they extra pressure they exert makes them substantially less comfortable than my 880's. I thought they were comfortable until I bought my 880's, so everything is in relation.

If I am going to spend that much money on headphones, I do want them to be very comfortable, which is why the HD800's are a consideration. I really just need to find someone in the city I can borrow a pair from, or at the very least, try them on.

Also I don't mind spending money, I just don't like wasting it, so if they T1's do sound better its worth it. The reason I am curious about whether or not the XDA-1 can drive the T1's is, if they can, then buying a dedicated headphone amp may be a waste of money.

I have a few months before I can afford to buy them anyway, so that gives me plenty of time to research. I have posted on head-fi.com by the way, no responce yet. But from what I have read relating to other preamps as headphone amps, it apears they work fine, but not with low impedance cans. So that should not be an issue for your or my HP.

[mrla]

buy them! if u don't like them, sell them on head-fi.org... you will lose some money, not much.

HD650's are tight on my head too.