Presonus HP$ Headphone Amp

[Rick Shepherd]

I realize that there are alot of much more expensive, nicer headphone amps out there, but I am looking for something cheap to keep me going for a while until I am ready to spend more. Is the HP4 a good piece of gear for monitoring while recording?

[Big Kenny]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...6420/src=00633
half the price... works fine

[johnnypraze]

I got mine off ebay for about $70 I think.

I love it. 4 headphone controls, plus I use it to control the volume of my monitors...

[Rick Shepherd]

Big Kenny, thanks but that rolls one won't do. I need monitor volume and left/right inputs from my sound card outs. Hey Johnny, how is the sound, is it nice and quiet?

[aaroncomp]

Mine came free as a bonus with my Firepod. Works great - quiet and clean. Quick ability to mono or mute monitor speakers is handy.

[scrubs]

I dig it. Fairly clean and plenty of juice for your cans. The "Monitor Mute" button is a blessing when tracking.

[johnnypraze]

^.....Word

[Rick Shepherd]

Well, I finally got this amp, and it does not really have enough juice. I have to turn the volume up all the way to get a good strong signal. But, it works. Could the problem be my cables. I have unbalanced cables between my sound card outs and the HP4 ins, yet all my other cables are balanced. Could that be the problem, do I need to get balanced cables for everything?

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by Rick Shepherd

Well, I finally got this amp, and it does not really have enough juice. I have to turn the volume up all the way to get a good strong signal. But, it works. Could the problem be my cables. I have unbalanced cables between my sound card outs and the HP4 ins, yet all my other cables are balanced. Could that be the problem, do I need to get balanced cables for everything?

I would try balanced cables first. If that doesn't work, possibly the unit is defective. What cans are you using and what are you tracking that you have to turn them up so far?

[c7sus]

Check out Carvin. $150 6 channels in 4/ (up to 8) phones out.

I haven't heard it but it's on my aquire list.

[Rick Shepherd]

I have a set of AKG K240DF headphones, got them about 15 to 20 years ago. I am just monitoring myself for recording vocals and guitar, thanks!

[RezN8]

Lots of Gain for your headphones!
It's not a bad piece as far as headphone amp/monitor control goes. Also has a mono switch for checking phase issues and the mute for the monitors is cool too.
About the only things I don't like -- tends to color the sound a bit and my unit got real noisy after about a year.

Rack ears would've been nice too.

[maskedman72]

i had the hp and it had plenty of juice.

[jho1986]

do you send the signal into the HP amp and then into the monitors to make the monitor mute button work?

[geet73]

Damn. I might have to pick one of these up. I've been looking to get rid of this damn mixer under my keyboard. It's only here to raise the level of my monitors and boost headphones.

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by jho1986

do you send the signal into the HP amp and then into the monitors to make the monitor mute button work?

Yes, the main outs from your soundcard go into the HP4, and you connect you monitors to the monitor outs on the back of the unit. The monitor mute button mutes the monitor outs, but leaves the headphones on for tracking.

[Gilliland]

Originally Posted by Rick Shepherd

I have a set of AKG K240DF headphones, got them about 15 to 20 years ago.

Those headphones have a 600 ohm impedance. They will produce a much lower output than other headphones at a given signal level. If you want more level, you'll either need a beefier headphone amp or a pair of headphones that's easier to drive. For example, the AKG K240-Studio has an impedance of 55 ohms. Those will produce a much higher level from the same amp.