Headphone amp for a project studio situation

[zirkonflex]

Hey dudes, I haven't posted in ages but I think I need some shared wisdom/experience here. Really quick: Project studio drum rehearsal/recording situation. Everything goes in to a single interface being distributed to poweramps for PA (sometimes) and studio monitors as well as a simple wireless unit. The wireless only offers three channels, yet I sometimes need more. I have the stereo signal running out of the wireless in to a cheap ass 4 channel headphone pre (some musicstore housebrand) that somebody had laying around. It needs replacing ASAP (distorts when coming even close to acceptable volume). I am no retard when it comes to getting the signals right and am not using fancy high impedance headphones. Looking around I read fairly bad reviews of almost all kinds of headphone pres with people talking about distortion and insufficient volume almost all the time. I'm looking at a budget around 200-250 bucks. Honestly, the sound/transients don't even matter if people plug in to it with horrible isolation headphones or inear buds, I just need something that doesn't distort audibly at drummer-acceptable volume. Thanks in advance, ye olde Max.

 

[Variant]

I've heard some very good things about Schiit (yes, that's pronounced the way you think) Audio stuff. Been thinking about picking up the Asgard model in particular. $249, solid-state, and very transparent & flat response from what I've heard.

 

[nezvers]

What i've Learned is to have higher volume on headphone preamp and that turn up your signal into preamp. I could bet that's the problem that it distorts on input, just give it a try. It's because preamp expect weak signal, but you are giving descent amount of gain and you get TS style boost.

 

[wishtheend]

My Aphex Headpod (4 channel) has a shit ton of headroom before any distortion.

 

[KillFrenzy]

Most amps will have a lot of headroom before distortion, so you won't have trouble finding something that fits your needs. I use a Presonus HP4 and an Art HeadAmp6. Both within your budget. The Art one is MUCH more feature packed, including Input meter, which is a very good thing. I regularly drive Sennheiser HD280 and Audio Technica ATH-M50 with it.

 

[Eschatologist]

ART is pretty good with lots of features.