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HK 3490 - how good is the headphone amp/output?

post #1 of 13
1/29/10 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 
i was already looking at the 3490 for a 2.0 setup (L820s) when i began looking at headphones and headphone amps....

also looking at a pair of AKG K701s, but was told it would be redundant to buy a separate headphone amp when the 3490 should power them just fine.

can anyone provide any input? i wasnt looking to spend more than 250-300 on an amp in the first place, but if i could get by with just using the receiver (as long as it can power them properly...vs just my computer's sound-card) - that would be great and really save me some money / make my setup much simpler.

my source is my PC (flac/lossless audio) which would connect via HK 3490 optical/digital in. and then a pair of jbl L820s on the wall (or used as bookshelves)....and then pair that setup with the k701s.

thanks,
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post #2 of 13
1/29/10 at 11:33pm
Hey whats up....Hopefully this will help you out a little. I have a 3490 for a two channel system with some Klipsch KG4's and its awesome. I have never used the headphone output until I saw your post a couple hours ago, so I gave it a shot, and it sounds pretty darn good. I tired all of my headphones that would work with a bigger jack. I have some AKG K242's, older Sennheiser HD570s and some new Ultrasone HFI 780's and they all sounded really good. I also have an iBasso D3 Python headphone amp and I would say the both sound very similar. Lemme know if you have any other questions....
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post #3 of 13
1/30/10 at 12:24am
A newbie question: How do I connect an in ear monitor that uses 3.5mm plug to the receiver? Should I use an adapter to convert it to the larger plug that headphone jack uses, or an adapter that converts the RCA outputs from the back of the receiver?
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post #4 of 13
1/30/10 at 1:25am
Quote:
also looking at a pair of AKG K701s, but was told it would be redundant to buy a separate headphone amp when the 3490 should power them just fine.

It should power them fine, but it may not be redundant depending on how the headphone out sounds. I have no experience on this unit, but on some previous amps I've had the headphone out was quite poor even in comparison to an Ipod. You still may want to compare to external headphone amps if you're picky about that and have nice cans like those AKGs. But without listening yourself, it's impossible to say.
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post #5 of 13
1/30/10 at 1:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by toptalent View Post

A newbie question: How do I connect an in ear monitor that uses 3.5mm plug to the receiver? Should I use an adapter to convert it to the larger plug that headphone jack uses, or an adapter that converts the RCA outputs from the back of the receiver?

No don't connect to the RCA outputs.

Just get a 1/4" to 3.5mm adapter, they're available anywhere.
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post #6 of 13
1/30/10 at 4:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nixonrsx View Post

Hey whats up....Hopefully this will help you out a little. I have a 3490 for a two channel system with some Klipsch KG4's and its awesome. I have never used the headphone output until I saw your post a couple hours ago, so I gave it a shot, and it sounds pretty darn good. I tired all of my headphones that would work with a bigger jack. I have some AKG K242's, older Sennheiser HD570s and some new Ultrasone HFI 780's and they all sounded really good. I also have an iBasso D3 Python headphone amp and I would say the both sound very similar. Lemme know if you have any other questions....

thanks - if you get a chance to do any extended listening or further tests, let me know.
but glad you didnt notice any issues from trying

i think ill just go this route for now and pocket the extra 250-300 i would have spent on a headphone amp and use that elsewhere
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post #7 of 13
1/31/10 at 6:26pm
Thread Starter 
looks like ill need a headphone adapter (up-size) to fit the larger headphone input on the 3490.

is this a component in which any will do? or should something of quality (good connection/transfer) be purchased?
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post #8 of 13
1/31/10 at 10:50pm
so do you have the akg 701's yet? i looked and those have a 1/4" stereo plug standard on the end, and it comes with a 1/4" to mini adapter plug. so you are all set and dont have to get anything else..
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post #9 of 13
2/1/10 at 5:48am
Thread Starter 
ok thx - no, i haven't ordered the k701s just yet...perfect that they come with one.

3490 is on the way!
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post #10 of 13
2/2/10 at 4:08pm
Ok HP out. Not as good as the better dedicated amps. But definitely better than some of the budget surround receivers. Not quite as good as the Onkyo 9555's HP out either. But quite frankly you wont be able to tell unless you listen to a better dedicated HP amp.
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post #11 of 13
12/6/11 at 8:12pm
I got a new HK 3490 today and was very sad to hear fuzz when nothing was playing. More so than when my headphones are plugged onto my computer . Thinking of returning it. Anyone else have this issue?
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post #12 of 13
12/6/11 at 10:07pm
I highly doubt the 3490 will drive them properly. The K701 is a picky headphone. Why do you want them? They sound bad when plugged into a bad amp. I would go with a different headphone if you don't plan on getting a dedicated headphone amp.
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post #13 of 13
12/7/11 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
no complaints (akg q701 w/ hk3490)
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