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LoneRanger21 t1_ixvifpb wrote

I got a cheap portable headphone amp a while back to give my AKG k240s a volume bump from my Samsung tablet/phone. Never had an amp before so I figured a cheap demo would let me form an opinion.

I forgot how much I like having knobs over buttons for volume lol. Just feels better physically dialing it in exactly as you want it. Can't really say it made a huge difference in sound, just more volume and a knob to turn.

Even if ONLY for that and as long as you've got the money to spare, nothing wrong with a cheap desktop amp. It's your money, you do you.

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malrats OP t1_ixxahn9 wrote

What cheap amp did you get? I have a FiiO A3 which literally just seems to make any headphones I plug into it louder and technically bumps up the bass if I flip that switch, but I hate having to charge it and carry it so much that I just don’t use it. I really like the idea of having something plugged into an outlet and set up at my desk or near my game consoles that I could just plug into as needed and hopefully see some benefit from. I have a Mixamp Pro hooked up to my Xbox and I use that with headphones just to have the audio mixing but boy is that name misleading. It doesn’t actually amplify at all. It’s very strange lol.

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LoneRanger21 t1_ixxh97l wrote

It's a very cheap Chinese portable amp off Amazon I got for like $20. Its smaller than a deck of cards & I swear the battery is just rattling around in there. Would not recommend, but I made a cheap impulsive buy to satisfy my curiosity.

That said... it does the trick. Boosted the k240s nicely while adding a touch more bass. Didn't notice any crackle or distortion, even with the Moondrop Chu or Aria SE.

Sounds like you're looking to amp from a TV & I've sadly got no clue on that front. Best of luck finding a solution!

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malrats OP t1_ixxjflo wrote

Oh no, no TV for me. At most I would use the USB part of an amp on a game console sometimes but I mostly play Xbox and it doesn’t support USB devices like that unless they’re stamped and certified by Xbox.

I wish I could get a Magni and Modi but it’s just too much for me.

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