The speakers on my laptop are pretty lame and headphones on their own aren’t much better so I’m looking for an inexpensive amp to use with headphones. Any suggestions?
I have one of these. It might be overkill for your purposes but the price and quality is good and obviously you can plug other stuff into it.
zoid, how do you interface it to a laptop?
Depending on your definition of ‘inexpensive’, take a look at the Schiit (yes, pronounced the way you think) ‘Magni 2’ and ‘Modi 2’. The ‘Modi 2’ is a USB interface DAC, and the ‘Magni 2’ a headphone amp that will drive pretty much any set of 'phones available. Total of $200+shipping for the pair.
If that is too high, there is the ‘Fulla’; a combination DAC/amp for $79. Not as much power as the Magni, but sufficient for most low-impedance headphones.
And they are made in the US.
Whoa - The url I linked to is Amazon but when I click the hyperlink it goes to Best Buy? Is it just me?
No, it’s something called viglink, which the SDMB uses to make a few bucks. They substitute links for products away from some sites referenced in posts to those of their clients. Thread on it here.
SDMB: It’s against the rules to alter content in quote boxes, but altering originally posted content? That’s A-OK. Whatcha gonna do?
Via the headphone jack
This is what I use for my PC and Sennheiser 600’s. Works like a charm.
For just amplifying sound, I use the FiiO E6 inline amp. It’s about the size of a matchbox, with ordinary stereo connectors. There’s a USB connector for charging the internal battery.
Hey IT Guy! Can I interface this with my iPhone? (Inquiring minds wanna know…)
From the FAQ for the Fulla:
iPhones: you’ll need iOS 7 or 8, the magic overpriced Apple cable and a power source (hub or battery, or, for full LOLs, Wyrd.) This is covered in the Guides/Getting Connected section of the site, with links to cables, hubs, etc.
Wyrd is their USB ‘denoiser’ and powered single-port hub.
They say you can use the Modi 2 with an iPhone also.
Check out their site; the FAQ section for each unit gives a good bit of information
about what can be used with what.