[Vtech2000]

Here is a question a customer of mine sent me - any help would be appreciated.  Thank you.

"After an hour on the Internet with no luck I thought I would ask you. I no longer can have my computer speakers loud so I am having to use headphones.
The 1/8" connection on my sound card has no amplification. I figure if I plug into the speaker volume control headphone connection it will dampen the effect of your headphone wires. So I thought I would get a small amplifier and go    soundcard 1/8" ---> amp ----> Sennheiser HD580 headphones. I cannot find an amp on the net that will do this. Do you know of one?"

[chadh]

Well, if this guy happened to know somebody who was good at making cables, I bet that cable-maker could whip up some 1/8" to RCA interconnects so he could use just about any headphone amp he wished.

Alternatively, I would think that Head-Fi boards would produce loads of suggestions, especially from people using an amp between a portable player and headphones.

Chad

[mfsoa]

If a USB DAC/headphone amp is an option, I like my Total  BitHead. Look at Headphone.com

[friend2alldogs]

I'll second the Total Bithead. Here's the link:
http://www.headphone.com/products/headphone-amps/the-mobile-line/headroom-total-bithead.php

[cgetman02]

You might also try the www.headfi.com site.  There is tons of information on headphones, amps, cables, etc.

There is a person associated with the headfi site that makes some nice cables "rnbaudio" or some variation of that name.

He can probably make any variation of the cable you mentioned.

FYI,

Curt

Sorry, I just saw where headfi was mentioned above.  Try searching on rnbaudio for some nice cables.

[Thump553]

I think it probably has nothing to do with cables whatsoever.  The Senn 580's NEED a headphone amp to sound decent.  I second the suggestion to check out headfi.com.  Look in the forums for either used equipment (true headphone junkies cycle through equipment at warp speed, even compared to regular audiophiles) or, better yet, have someone there build him an amp to his specs (including desired plug sizes).  A simple but very serviceable homemade amp will probably cost $100 or less and will make a world of difference.

PS-check out the forum just above this one as well.

PPS-My Senn 600s standard cable comes with a screw on adapter to switch between miniplug and 1/8" plug.  I probably have a spare sitting around-if it will work, PM me a snail mail address.  You can probably pick up something similar at Radio Shack.

[djbnh]

You might also try the www.headfi.com site.  There is tons of information on headphones, amps, cables, etc.

There is a person associated with the headfi site that makes some nice cables "rnbaudio" or some variation of that name.

He can probably make any variation of the cable you mentioned.

FYI,

Curt

Sorry, I just saw where headfi was mentioned above.  Try searching on rnbaudio for some nice cables.

I believe Curt is thinking of Myo of RnBAudio, who goes by RnB180 on the Head-Fi forums. I have one of his mini-to-mini cables and have nothing but the highest praise for his work. I think he may be waaaay backed up with orders at the moment, but you can always try to pm / e-mail him. Here's the link to his Photobucket gallery with shots of some of his work.

FYI - re: amps, what's your price range? For example, I use a Xin SM-IV amp for portable and home use; it effortlessly drives my HD650s. There's lots of choices out there, and I feel the Head-Fi forums may give some insight into the numerous choices of amps / price ranges.

Happy listening, and - sorry about your wallet.