Headphone Hum

default -- Sat, 02/14/2009 - 10:04

I recently purchased a set of Audio-Technica ATH-Pro700 headphones to use with my VTL IT-85 intergrated amp. However, when I plug them in and listen I get a fairly significant hum(low end). They work perfect when plugged into my Marantz CD player. Any suggestions on how, if possible, to solve this problem would greatly be appreciated. The ATH-Pro700's have an impedance of 36 ohms. The VTL literature list the headphone out impedance as 16 ohms. Is this the issue? I could not find an out impedance for the Marantz CD player in their manual to check.

Thanks for the help!
Jack Yerkes

Steven Stone -- Sun, 02/15/2009 - 10:41

It may be that the headphone output on the VTL hums.

One option is to have VTL look into it and suggest a solution which may involve repair at their facility.

Another option is to hook up the tape out from the VTL to a dedicated headphone amp.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

Jyerkes (not verified) -- Sun, 02/15/2009 - 18:25

Thanks, Steven
I have used an old pair of fairly inexpensive Sony headphones with the VTL and they work OK. I guess that is why I thought it might be an impedance issue?! I may email VTL and "see" what they can tell me.

Thanks Again, Jack Yerkes