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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 8, 2023 11:40:42 GMT -6
I used to use those Radio Shack headphone extension cables, but they always broke or only on side worked after a few weeks use. I need an extension to record in a different room and it would be the least expensive thing to just buy another extension cable. I can't afford a proper headphone amp at the moment.
First, does anyone know of a reliable headphone extension cable?
Second, are there any relatively inexpensive decent headphone amps I should know of? I've never owned one, only used them in studios, and most of them weren't very good.
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Apr 8, 2023 12:03:08 GMT -6
Amp gives you the advantage of volume control near user.
Decent but not awesome sub $100 used Symetrix and Stewart.
Audiophile quality affordable extension Canare 4s11 and Neutrik or switchraft ends.
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Post by sirthought on Apr 8, 2023 12:24:20 GMT -6
I'm attracted to those CAST systems that Cranborne is selling. You can run those long lengths over CAT5 network cable, which can be much easier to work with than long lengths of audio cable.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 8, 2023 12:53:34 GMT -6
I think I can control headphone volume through my Logic app on my iPad, I'll have to check..
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Post by ab101 on Apr 8, 2023 13:02:47 GMT -6
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Apr 8, 2023 13:24:27 GMT -6
I’m going to build and donate a 25ft Canare extension for Martin.
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Post by ab101 on Apr 8, 2023 13:30:26 GMT -6
I’m going to build and donate a 25ft Canare extension for Martin. The world just became a better place! That is great! |
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Post by Tbone81 on Apr 8, 2023 13:48:08 GMT -6
Use an xlr cable with a TRS male/female adapter at each end.
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Post by drbill on Apr 8, 2023 14:44:11 GMT -6
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Apr 8, 2023 15:02:35 GMT -6
Canare 4s6 and locking Neutrik female and Neutrik Male I’m sure some idiot is charging $150-250. |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Apr 8, 2023 15:04:14 GMT -6
Use an xlr cable with a TRS male/female adapter at each end. The capacitance of Mic cable can change the tone of some phones. Not saying I haven’t done it. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 8, 2023 17:10:04 GMT -6
Thanks guys, this was really helpful, and Eric came to the rescue too !
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Post by ragan on Apr 8, 2023 17:43:00 GMT -6
I made just what Eric is making you (long cable run with locking female end). Works great.
Also the cheap Behringer Powerplay headphone amp is kind of ridiculously good for the money. High gain, lots of headroom, shelving EQ on each channel, aux inputs, it’s awesome. I rarely use it but when I have a few people over for tracking, it works great.
Or if you have a thing against Behringer, the old Symetrix headphone amps are solid.
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Post by the other mark williams on Apr 8, 2023 17:54:22 GMT -6
I made just what Eric is making you (long cable run with locking female end). Works great. Also the cheap Behringer Powerplay headphone amp is kind of ridiculously good for the money. High gain, lots of headroom, shelving EQ on each channel, aux inputs, it’s awesome. I rarely use it but when I have a few people over for tracking, it works great. Or if you have a thing against Behringer, the old Symetrix headphone amps are solid. I've got one of those Behringer headphone amps, too - mine's the "PowerPlay Pro HA4400." Been running it for gosh, at least 15 years. Maybe more. I use it in the same role as Ragan: only when I'm tracking other people. If it's just me, I use the headphone out of my audio interface. |
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Post by viciousbliss on Apr 8, 2023 18:36:53 GMT -6
nwavguy.blogspot.com
Read that about all things headphone. Really good, objective info. The O2 amp designed by this guy is very adaptable, top notch measurements, and isn't very expensive. JDS labs still makes a version of it as far as I know. As a listener, I've had a lot of experience with headphone setups. Nwavguy saved me a lot by supplying the necessary info to get me to stop buying different amps and sources in hopes of alleged "synergy". I've been to all sorts of meets for things like Head-fi and Axpona. Very few amps have any kind of objective data publicly available. And many have severe problems. One of these days I'm hoping someone at Lynx can let me know exactly what they did with the headphone amp in the Aurora N because that amp plus the converters blow away anything I've heard at these meets just for fun listening. When I heard these $10,000+ electrostat setups, I didn't feel the wow factor I get from the Aurora N. A lot of these amps can color the sound in various ways. I've got one of those Behringer amps where multiple people can listen, just haven't really had a reason to use it much. The O2 is a known quantity and has verified performance. It's tough to find a headphone amp that does, unless stuff has changed in recent years.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 8, 2023 19:26:17 GMT -6
I'll keep that Behringer in mind if I ever start tracking more than one or two people at a time.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2023 20:30:34 GMT -6
nwavguy.blogspot.com Read that about all things headphone. Really good, objective info. The O2 amp designed by this guy is very adaptable, top notch measurements, and isn't very expensive. JDS labs still makes a version of it as far as I know. As a listener, I've had a lot of experience with headphone setups. Nwavguy saved me a lot by supplying the necessary info to get me to stop buying different amps and sources in hopes of alleged "synergy". I've been to all sorts of meets for things like Head-fi and Axpona. Very few amps have any kind of objective data publicly available. And many have severe problems. One of these days I'm hoping someone at Lynx can let me know exactly what they did with the headphone amp in the Aurora N because that amp plus the converters blow away anything I've heard at these meets just for fun listening. When I heard these $10,000+ electrostat setups, I didn't feel the wow factor I get from the Aurora N. A lot of these amps can color the sound in various ways. I've got one of those Behringer amps where multiple people can listen, just haven't really had a reason to use it much. The O2 is a known quantity and has verified performance. It's tough to find a headphone amp that does, unless stuff has changed in recent years. The O2 is DOGSHIT. |
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Post by ab101 on Apr 8, 2023 22:01:16 GMT -6
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Post by niklas1073 on Apr 9, 2023 1:24:50 GMT -6
As many have mentioned the behringer powerplay series actually does the work. I think I have my second one going now, the 6 channel version. I use it for tracking only. When I compare the sound to my apollo ha the behringer sounds a little harsh in a way. I would not mix with it for sure. But it has plenty of gain for drum tracking and good amount of connection and routing options. Bang for the buck.
For mobile tracking I have one of those small pocket size 4 channel units, mine is mackie I think, but probably every brand makes them. That’s also a small footprint option. I sometimes hook that up to the powerplay if I need to extend. And they cost like 30 bucks or so.
As for extension chords, ive used various decent cable manufacturers cables with good success. To the drum set I have 3,5mm plug 10m one that’s been there for 15 years, but it doesn't get much physical stress. For everything else I use decent quality 6,3mm extension cables and they hold up good for me. I have actually one cable that has started to act up. But it’s been trampled on for years, so I won’t blame it. I think the only way to keep those extensions working is to try to be a little gentle with them and route them in a way the jack doesn’t get too much stress on it.
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Post by anders on Apr 9, 2023 2:34:32 GMT -6
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Post by viciousbliss on May 2, 2023 13:20:17 GMT -6
nwavguy.blogspot.com Read that about all things headphone. Really good, objective info. The O2 amp designed by this guy is very adaptable, top notch measurements, and isn't very expensive. JDS labs still makes a version of it as far as I know. As a listener, I've had a lot of experience with headphone setups. Nwavguy saved me a lot by supplying the necessary info to get me to stop buying different amps and sources in hopes of alleged "synergy". I've been to all sorts of meets for things like Head-fi and Axpona. Very few amps have any kind of objective data publicly available. And many have severe problems. One of these days I'm hoping someone at Lynx can let me know exactly what they did with the headphone amp in the Aurora N because that amp plus the converters blow away anything I've heard at these meets just for fun listening. When I heard these $10,000+ electrostat setups, I didn't feel the wow factor I get from the Aurora N. A lot of these amps can color the sound in various ways. I've got one of those Behringer amps where multiple people can listen, just haven't really had a reason to use it much. The O2 is a known quantity and has verified performance. It's tough to find a headphone amp that does, unless stuff has changed in recent years. The O2 is DOGSHIT. Just noticed the notification for this reply now. I'd love for you to elaborate. O2 critics I've seen have all been subjectivists and people with things to promote. People who don't have the tools to do objective measurements. There's this whole culture on sites like Head-Fi where they advise people to just toss thousands of dollars around on amps, dacs, etc, without any thought of objective performance. And too many people making these devices who are clueless or worse. But it's been a few years since I really read up on amps. I just know that when I go to the conventions that I'm not really all that impressed with the mega-expensive stuff being paraded around. |
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Post by Omicron9 on May 5, 2023 9:12:32 GMT -6
Use an xlr cable with a TRS male/female adapter at each end. If you can't or don't have time to solder your own, this ^^^^. -09 |
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Post by Omicron9 on May 5, 2023 9:19:58 GMT -6
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Post by drumsound on May 5, 2023 9:43:31 GMT -6
I’m going to build and donate a 25ft Canare extension for Martin. You sir, are a peach of a human! My Rane HC6 has been running for 25 years. It was at the studio I worked at before I bought out the boss. They were designed by Jon Erickson who also designed some of the A-Designs gear, and was making racks for Sphere modules at one point. |
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Post by ulriggribbons on May 5, 2023 9:47:39 GMT -6
+1 on the Neutrik locking female cables for externders. I made up 3 of them years ago for my place, and use them all the time.
On headphone amps, I've used an Avenson headphone amp for years, and they are great ( full disclosure, Brad and I are really good friends and have worked together for years). I also have the Little Labs Monotor, which is equally great.
For the studio, there are points where I search for the exact right balance in my phones a lot, which can be really hot sometimes. I run a power amp and a Redco Little Red Cue Box, as it gives me 4 headphone splits, and all the gain I could want.
$.02
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