Headphone Amp Loud Enough to Hurt My Ears?

Looking for a headphone amp with enough power to damage my hearing and blow the headphones. Every interface I’ve used isn’t loud enough. I’m content with the output on the Digitakt II but when using it as an interface the output isn’t hot enough. I bought a Schiit Magni 2 Uber or something a while ago and it provided like 10% more level. Not enough. Does anyone know of an amp that will give me some level without being super pricy? I’m using 80 Ohm Headphones

Hey, so just to confirm have you already maxed out the USB to main parameter? I believe that’s exactly what it’s for is boosting the USB audio signal when you stream it to the DTII. Pretty sure it goes up to +18db, but I’m not sure you should really need louder than that. If you do, then you definitely need a good headphone amp or maybe a mixer with sufficient output.

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It’s under the audio routing portion of the settings menu, so if you haven’t messed with it, I’d push it up gradually and see if you can get to a more useable level before you hit +18db. Like I said, if you already maxed this out then yeah, you probably need a headphone amp but not sure what to recommend.

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Amazing thanks again man!

No worries, hope that does the trick!

But why?

Every interface I’ve owned has been too quiet and I’ve owned many. Luckily the Digitakt II has plenty of level. I’m restricted to headphones because I live in an apartment.

I also find that a lot of interfaces have weak headphone amps, but, usually only with my higher ohm (300 ohm) headphones. Most should be able to push 80 ohm pretty well. If the DT headphone amp works well on its own, but not in interface mode, and most interfaces don’t do it, then just be sure and check any settings on your system. I had an issue once where things where too quiet, and it was some setting that got adjusted in the Audio/Midi settings on my computer. So, double check system settings, double check audio/midi settings (if you have a Mac), check settings in your Digitakt setup as well. Some interfaces have “digital mixers”, and I once had an issue there where the output on something was turned down. You may have already done these things, but, there are a lot of places where things can go wrong in the gain staging department.

Next, look at the levels in your DAW. What are the levels peaking at on the Master? If it is too quiet you can add a gain boost. I use Ableton, and I will drop a Utility on the Master and raise it up for a clean gain boost. If your channels are low, you can add one on each track and boost it there as well.

I’ve heard good things about the Rupert Neve RNHP. Not sure about how the specs compare to the Schiit though. But the Schiit seems like it would do the trick.

The most power I’ve had from a interface headphone amp was the one on the SSL Big Six, although, that is also a powered mixer, so that makes sense. Gain for days.

Maybe get another headphones which are a better match to your instrument? Spec shopping is a thing…

I personally use a Lake People G-109 Headphone amp for powering my vintage 600 ohm cans. Plenty of amps on tap, but it’s not a cheap solution. I bought it originally for project studio use (some rappers are super deaf and want their cans LOUD), but have since relocated it into my home rig