Headphone Amp

[SHIRK]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've owned a Behringer HA4700 that lasted me about 5-6 years and an ART HeadAmp 6 Pro that lasted about 6months or so.

Neither are stellar, the build quality is garbage.

BUT....THEY'LL GET THE JOB DONE!

If you can afford something better (like the Rane... or whatever), get it. You'll be glad you did. If all you can afford is something in the $100-$200 these will certainly allow you to get your work done. I've recorded lots of musicians using the Behringer and not one of them turned to me and told me the headphones/headphone amp sounded bad. It'll work.

[JoRillo]

I found a used Rane HC6 for $129 + $50 in shipping. I was really happy about finding it for $129 but then the $50 in shipping kinda made me ehh about it all.

What are your guy's opinions on it? It is from a store so I can return it if there is a problem, but price wise is $180 a good price for them used?

[edwinhurwitz]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

I found a used Rane HC6 for $129 + $50 in shipping. I was really happy about finding it for $129 but then the $50 in shipping kinda made me ehh about it all.

What are your guy's opinions on it? It is from a store so I can return it if there is a problem, but price wise is $180 a good price for them used?

It's not the greatest price, but given that you then might have a warranty, I suppose it's not bad. Is it a newer Rane or an older Rane? There was a difference in terms of whether the individual channel inputs were in mono or stereo (or something like that) as well as the power supply. I think details are on the Rane site.

Edwin
PS As an aside, we're expecting and trying to figure out boy names. I passed a piece of Rane gear in my house and jokingly suggested it for a name. My wife likes it! I'm not sold and am also half wondering if there might not be a trademark violation!

[JoRillo]

In Store Used USED RANE HC6 HEADPHONE CONSOLE and more Stage Subwoofers at GuitarCenter.com.

I can't tell if it would be the newer or older, can I get some assistance?

[Mike P]

I've owned Rane and Furman headphone amps but for the past 10 years, I've used the Samson S-Phone and I LOVE it. It has EQ on every channel, which I find handy when recording singers or if someone uses different headphones than I have on hand (Ultrasone 550 Pro's).

The Behringer Power Play Pro XL is supposedly the same unit but I can't confirm.

[JoRillo]

Super noob question right now - Are headphone outputs generally going to be stereo? Since it is a L and R ear it makes sense - I just don't want to get a unit then need something special for it.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

Super noob question right now - Are headphone outputs generally going to be stereo? Since it is a L and R ear it makes sense - I just don't want to get a unit then need something special for it.

Yes, headphone jacks are wired in stereo.

With the Samson S Phone, you're able to check in mono, which is helpful.

[edwinhurwitz]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

In Store Used USED RANE HC6 HEADPHONE CONSOLE and more Stage Subwoofers at GuitarCenter.com.

I can't tell if it would be the newer or older, can I get some assistance?

It's pretty much impossible to tell from that photo, you'd need to see the back of the unit. Since it's GC, just have them ship it to the store near you (which should be free) and in the meantime, get in touch with Rane and find out all the details between new and old, download their manuals, etc. Then, when it shows up at the store, you can decide whether it's the right one for you.

[JoRillo]

Samson S-Phone 4-Channel Headphone Amp at zZounds

This is the unit you speak of? Does anyone have opinions on this vs the Rane HC6?

just have them ship it to the store near you (which should be free)

You know you would think so... but it was the exact same cost to have it shipped to my house. unless I can speak to them and get it shipped to them without me purchasing it and then go check it out.

[JoRillo]

Just ordered the Rane HS6 - thanks for the input to those of you who helped out.

[fito_88]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

Just ordered the Rane HS6 - thanks for the input to those of you who helped out.

any feedback about the ranes? and why did u pick it over the samsons ? cheers

[crosscutred]

Originally Posted by fito_88

any feedback about the ranes? and why did u pick it over the samsons ? cheers

I like the Rane, it seems to be a step up in quality from the samson, There is plenty of power in the rane amps and it's a solid piece of kit. No complaints here, from my clients or me.
I have had mine switched on everyday for 3 years and it hasn't done anything but work as expected.

Recommended!

[JoRillo]

[IMG]******//i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x413/JoRilloRA/2012-01-31084540.jpg[/IMG]

Just to make sure I don't muff anything up, can someone be kind enough to let me know exactly what I need here?

It says: Power 750mA Class 2 Equipment

Everything I have found so far has been with a circular tip like...

[IMG]******//media.digikey.com/Photos/Phihong%20USA/MFG_PSAA18U.jpg[/IMG]

[Papanate]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

[IMG]
It says: Power 750mA Class 2 Equipment
Everything I have found so far has been with a circular tip

That is a RJ45 jack like a house phones have. That is what Rane uses on their WalWart power supplies. I find it idiotic and obviously proprietary to the extreme detriment of the end user.

[JoRillo]

So a Cat5 cable but for power? Could you try to post me a link of how that would connect to power? I seem to only be finding things to plug into a wall jack. Don't tell me I have to connect this thing to a phone jack in the wall do I?

Why do I have a feeling I am going to be using the return policy on this one. They didn't even have it listed as w/o a power cable... I'm quite aggravated.

Just looked on the Rane website - looks like the newer versions of this unit have a regular 3 pin power supply, I got an old one. You guys think I should -

A) Go buy a power cable, stop b--chin
B) B--ch at guitar center online about not giving me a cable and see if I can get a free one
C) Return the thing and stay current with technology

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Papanate

That is a RJ45 jack like a house phones have. That is what Rane uses on their WalWart power supplies. I find it idiotic and obviously proprietary to the extreme detriment of the end user.

Why is that bad for the end user?

It suggests that RANE want to make sure that their equipment has good clean power without the nasties that cheap power supplies can inject into the system.

[Omicron_9]

+1 on the Rane HC6. Very clean.

For a single channel headphone amp, I use a Crown D-45. Also rather clean.

-0.9

[johnnyc]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

So a Cat5 cable but for power? Could you try to post me a link of how that would connect to power? I seem to only be finding things to plug into a wall jack. Don't tell me I have to connect this thing to a phone jack in the wall do I?

The RJ45 connector is integrated into the external power supply, you should have received the appropriate power supply with the unit. If you didn't then you have every right to b**** at them to send you one. They are indeed a non-standard pita, many better connectors could have been used.

Btw, I might have an extra one of these somewhere.

[teo]

Originally Posted by John Willett

Why is that bad for the end user?

It suggests that RANE want to make sure that their equipment has good clean power without the nasties that cheap power supplies can inject into the system.

Because they use it on their DJ consolles as well, and of course the plastic bit that holds the RJ45 connector is going to eventually break off. So you need to tape it to the mixer (where it connects vertically of course, from the bottom) and pray for it to stay there.
Untill it falls off with 2000 people on the dance floor...happened to me.

Nope, give me a standard connector please!

[Baz]

My Buddies RANE has standard IEC power cable. He bought it used on Amazon for $90 - I paid $190 years ago for my 4ch Fostex and it's a total POS compared to the RANE.

It's a great robust build and no issues with quality of sound. I was testing it when he first got it comparing it to the direct HP out of his Avocet using Grado RS1i's and really, there was nothing to complain about. Sure it was a little noiser but its a damn fine HP amp.

[JoRillo]

Alright, did a bit of reading, I now see that RJ45 is the connector type, Cat5 is the cable type, so I shouldn't have any use using the stander Cat5 cable I use for my internet? I want to plug in and try, but don't want to screw anything up.

Will the cable be RJ 45 at both ends? or should I be looking for a RJ 45 connection attached to some form of power cable?

[JoRillo]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

Alright, did a bit of reading, I now see that RJ45 is the connector type, Cat5 is the cable type, so I shouldn't have any use using the stander Cat5 cable I use for my internet? I want to plug in and try, but don't want to screw anything up.

Will the cable be RJ 45 at both ends? or should I be looking for a RJ 45 connection attached to some form of power cable?

Could someone be kind enough to post a link to the power supply/cable I need for this Rane Unit? I know it is a RJ45 connection, but whats the plug look like on the other end.

I feel so helpless and stupid, continuously googling RJ45 power supply, and RJ45 > 750 mA, and everything else I can think of (Its to long a list to keep typing here), so please give me a hand.

[crosscutred]

I'll have a look at mine later on for you.

[Prabha]

I've had the presonus HP60. Its a very flexible unit but for some reason the talkback input died and sounded awfully distorted (3 times actually, the unit was sent for repair a coule of time).
Over all it had very little headroom on the inputs and the output volume many times was not enough for rockers.

Now I've got the Tascam MH-8. It has no talkback input but has a lot more headroom and higher output volume. Sturdier bigger and heavier. Handsome looking also.

[crosscutred]

Here is the info about the Rane RS-1 power supply

External Power Supplies

looks like you need to get one of these specific ones.

Rane sell them direct, they aren't cheap.

amazon are the cheapest I can see

Amazon.com: Rane Rs-1 Power Supply: Musical Instruments

Or ebay

Rane RS1, RS-1 Remote Power Supply | eBay