My 2 cheap favorites are (both 4 output amps) the Carvin model, and (and let the flames begin) the B*hringer unit. The B*hringer is the one item by them that hasn't crashed out on anyone I know. It's not the pinnacle of audio fidelity by any means, but at that price nothing will be.

If you like building stuff, PIAI sells a 6-channel headphone amp in kit form. like 85 bucks and a pain in the butt. But a good learning experience and pretty decent loudness and quality. Better than other phone amps I have used.

I use small power amps when I want the headroom at higher levels ... drummers particulaly

other wise limiting before the HP amp is a must for non mastered program and the basic 15 volt amps like the Behringer and Alto

check the Rane tech notes for good infomation about this

Kev wrote: other wise limiting before the HP amp is a must for non mastered program and the basic 15 volt amps like the Behringer and Alto

Thanks Kev. Also on behalf of my eardrums.

I'm a drummer and believe me, having your kit in your cans at full throttle IS NOT NICE! Not in the long run.

sorry but I've been doing this a while and a clipped, small amp will do more damage
use the small power amp at the same RMS level as the B units but with much more headroom for uncompressed peaks

it's all about headroom
... as simple as that

signal level and Headphone efficiencey ... please read the Rane tech notes

http://www.rane.com/note100.html

http://www.rane.com/pdf/note128.pdf
speakers or headphones ... the problems are the same

http://www.rane.com/note126.html
many cheap amps use opamps as the driver stages which is fine for high impeadance HP's ... low imps will cause over current in the opamp ... more distotions and current limiting in the opamp

I remember that Rane "Clipping" article. A good read!

:cool:

Kev wrote: sorry but I've been doing this a while and a clipped, small amp will do more damage
use the small power amp at the same RMS level as the B units but with much more headroom for uncompressed peaks

it's all about headroom
... as simple as that

Kev,

What I meant to say is that there's nothing worse than a drumkit through a cheap amp (like the Behringer HP I have) at a high volume. Your ears will thank you for using a limiter. Haven't tried using a power amp, though.

All the best.

yep
sorry

I too have the B amp and it does work but on these more demanding situations, if falls below par