272 headphone socket

Which B&W?  I have a pair of P5's i could dig out and try out, however I have just plugged in my relatively cheap AKG headphones in for the first time (272 is a new purchase). These are actually hooked up to an  audioquest headphone cable which I have also had to add 6.35mm jack (three components, headphones/ cable / jack) and surprisingly and pleasing is that everything is more than listenable....can't wait until I start testing other headphones to see how much more the 272 gives..

I know nothing of your headphones. I do know the built in headphone amps on Naim preamps aren't great. Still should sound as good as an iPhone. I can't believe the adapter is able to make it unlistenable...

pete scholey posted:

I have a pair of B and W headphoes that I use with my iphone. After recently buying a 272 streamer I tried the headphones usig a 6.35 to 3.5 mm adaptor..However the sound is awful, loss of vocal and is basically unlistenable..Can I not use these headphones or should I purchase a pair with a standard 6.35mm jack plug

The sound shouldn't be awful at all if they are OK on your iPhone and the adaptor won't make any significant difference. I would try and get a mate with some other headphones to come over and plug them into your Naim unit.  

Best

David

I would agree with David: I have a 272 and B&W P7s as one of my headphones - I use these with an adaptor & an extension cable and for me the quality of the sound and music is in not compromised. Headphones aren't my preferred listening choice but when needs must I find that this is not a massive compromise with the 272. 

Interesting the previous two responses as I wouldn't for a second discount the adaptor. These cost what - $5-10? Some a single unit, some with a short cable lead, some gold electroplated, others not. While the built-in Naim HP amp isn't the nth degree of dynamic fidelity it ought to outperform an i-phone. I'd drop a few bucks on a different adaptor (or borrow one from a mate) before spending on different HPs.

thanks for the replies. They are p7s  I remembered that on purchase there was an adaptor provided. This now works perfectly well. I had bought an adaptor from maplins and obviously this was the problem. Either poor quality or not compatible. Had my memory not failed I would have saved £5 and not had to feel stupid posting here ..At least I can listen now without interfering with the family

272 headphone amp is slightly better than iPhone  

The easiest solution is to banish the family to the backyard!