Headphone Amplifier & Splitter?

Deus_Ex_Machina · 6th August 2009, 9:09 PM

Hi all,
I have a set of Edifier S530's and find I have trouble with plugging my headphones into the supplied jack as it is very quiet (maximum volume is about where I need it to play a game and hear it).

I am wondering the best way to be able to switch between speakers. I could use the front panel connectors on the case but I want a volume control knob. Is a 3.5mm line splitter and headphone amp the best solution?

Cheers, Deus.

Alba · 7th August 2009, 12:36 AM

Get yourself an Asus xonar essence STX sound card, incredible sound and has a built in headphone amp. You can easily switch between headphones and speakers or use both at the same time if you like through the Audio Center.

Nian · 7th August 2009, 5:01 AM

Get yourself a Zalman ZM-RSA headphone amplifier, they are cheaper than getting yourself a $200 sound card and allow 2zeperate sets of headphones with independant analogue volume control.

http://www.extremereviews.net/data.p...=1&type=review

The added bonus is that it allows surround sound through the analogue phono plugs, if you have surround sound headphones.

$3@N · 7th August 2009, 8:36 AM

And its only $70~ on Sice

Not bad...

I assume your going to be using the amp with a realtek hd intergrated audio chip under vista... just remember to update the drivers

matarael · 7th August 2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alba

Get yourself an Asus xonar essence STX sound card, incredible sound and has a built in headphone amp. You can easily switch between headphones and speakers or use both at the same time if you like through the Audio Center.

This is probably the best option unless you have the budget to go for something like the audiogd compass. The card comes recommended on headfi.org.

Nian · 7th August 2009, 1:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matarael

This is probably the best option unless you have the budget to go for something like the audiogd compass. The card comes recommended on headfi.org.

Average price is $240 on static. For just wanting to get more amperage for his headphones, probably not the most cost effective.

That been said I went and got myself the Asus Xonar D2X because I have never seen such a high quality sound card at the sub $500 mark and had to have it.

I guess what I am saying is that if hes got money and can afford the Asus xonar essence STX then he should still get the Zalman ZM-RSA as its still useful.
I use one and its handy at 2am when a friend pops over for a coffee and we are watching a few reviews, movies... what ever, its just so useful having two powered phono plugs from the same source for headphones.

Deus_Ex_Machina · 8th August 2009, 1:45 PM

That Zalman does look like a tidy little unit. I'm sure the Xonar is a ripper card but I already have an X-Fi Extreme Music which only cost around $60 from memory (2nd hand). So I can hook the Edifiers up via the back panel L&R RCA plugs?

matarael · 8th August 2009, 5:50 PM

Yeah, you can. But you'll be using the onboard DAC. Another option would be the Zero DAC from ebay. I must warn you the reliability is shitty, and the warranty is hopeless, but if you get a good unit (95% are) it's a brilliant DAC headphone amp for the money. You could run your edifers through that and just use it as a DAC/preamp and use the DAC/headphone amp path when your using the cans. Although it's not as cheap as the zalman unit, but I really like the sound out of mine (once I fixed the bodgy transformer).

$220AUD ish got it to my door.

edit: Here's the thread on Head-fi.org

6th August 2009, 9:09 PM	#1
Deus_Ex_Machina Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Geelong VIC Posts: 153	Headphone Amplifier & Splitter? Hi all, I have a set of Edifier S530's and find I have trouble with plugging my headphones into the supplied jack as it is very quiet (maximum volume is about where I need it to play a game and hear it). I am wondering the best way to be able to switch between speakers. I could use the front panel connectors on the case but I want a volume control knob. Is a 3.5mm line splitter and headphone amp the best solution? Cheers, Deus.

8th August 2009, 5:50 PM	#8
matarael Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 575	Yeah, you can. But you'll be using the onboard DAC. Another option would be the Zero DAC from ebay. I must warn you the reliability is shitty, and the warranty is hopeless, but if you get a good unit (95% are) it's a brilliant DAC headphone amp for the money. You could run your edifers through that and just use it as a DAC/preamp and use the DAC/headphone amp path when your using the cans. Although it's not as cheap as the zalman unit, but I really like the sound out of mine (once I fixed the bodgy transformer). $220AUD ish got it to my door. edit: Here's the thread on Head-fi.org Last edited by matarael; 8th August 2009 at 5:53 PM.

7th August 2009, 12:36 AM	#2
Alba Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Shellharbour Posts: 4,752	Get yourself an Asus xonar essence STX sound card, incredible sound and has a built in headphone amp. You can easily switch between headphones and speakers or use both at the same time if you like through the Audio Center.

7th August 2009, 5:01 AM	#3
Nian Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 465	Get yourself a Zalman ZM-RSA headphone amplifier, they are cheaper than getting yourself a $200 sound card and allow 2zeperate sets of headphones with independant analogue volume control. http://www.extremereviews.net/data.p...=1&type=review The added bonus is that it allows surround sound through the analogue phono plugs, if you have surround sound headphones.

7th August 2009, 8:36 AM	#4
$3@N (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Forever A Pwn Posts: 6,015	And its only $70~ on Sice Not bad... I assume your going to be using the amp with a realtek hd intergrated audio chip under vista... just remember to update the drivers

8th August 2009, 1:45 PM	#7
Deus_Ex_Machina Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Geelong VIC Posts: 153	That Zalman does look like a tidy little unit. I'm sure the Xonar is a ripper card but I already have an X-Fi Extreme Music which only cost around $60 from memory (2nd hand). So I can hook the Edifiers up via the back panel L&R RCA plugs?