Massdrop is doing a run of O2 headphone amps for less than half the MSRB ($70), but still made with the proper bill of materials and no PCB alterations. This will be exactly the same as the more expensive ones from JDS Labs. If anyone is wanting a headphone amp that can drive just about anything then now is the time to pick this up: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-o2-amplifier Anyone looking for either a new pair of headphone or just want some really nice new ones to go with the amp should look at these: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/akg-m220-semi-open-studio-headphones Those do not have a microphone as they are just headphones, but you can always buy a "modmic" or other such device and stick it on the headphones and it works fine.
02 amps are nice indeed. I'm more after a DAC tho or a DAP potentially, since the Vivo X5Max is way too expensive now with our ghetto money
I recently went and bought new headphones and I kept reading stuff about headphone amps. What are they good for? I bought the razor chroma 7.1.
Headphone amps are for controlling the volume (in the pre-amp section) and amplifying the signal by providing a gain boost while also providing a supply of power to draw from. Good amps also have a properly low output impedance and are extremely neutral, meaning they do not color the sound but simply amplify. Bad amps as well as certain amp styles either intentionally or unintentionally color the sound, providing their own sound characteristics. Some people like this, such as the case with those who really like tube amps. Having enough power is necessary to prevent clipping and distortion, as well as provide nice bass reproduction. Bass notes draw a lot more power because of how they are reproduced in speakers. If for example the average power draw of mid frequencies is 1 watt, bass hits such as from the kick drum can draw 3-4x more than the average. You cant use a headphone amp with that Chroma 7.1 headset, because it uses a USB connection that feeds a mini integrated DAC built into the headset. It has all of it's necessary electronics in an enclosed system that takes care of "everything".