Mains headphones amp for a 3.5mm jack?

Pawnless Endgame · 15 Nov 2020 at 21:07

I'm running a Nintendo Switch off HDMI and a PC off DP, and my headphones get the sound from the monitor's 3.5mm jack. I now have a new monitor and the HDMI/DP sound isn't anywhere near as loud. I checked in the monitor's menu and the sound is already at 100%. The sound must be gated, some health & safety thing on newer tech I guess. I tried using a 5V portable amp which drove the sound up slightly but not enough for me as I'm hard of hearing. I think what I need is a 12V or 24V mains amp. Have anyone got one? Please let me know what you use for your PC/console with headphones set-up.

P.S. if I plug the headphones directly into the Nintendo Switch or PC, then I get normal volume fine. Ideally though, I would like a single point of contact for sound hence via the monitor's 3.5mm jack.

Thanks :-)

gitbags · 15 Nov 2020 at 21:53

Budget?

If you just want a cheap but well regarded amp with decent power have a look at the jds atom or schiit magni 3 at around the £100ish mark.

Pawnless Endgame · 15 Nov 2020 at 22:46

Thanks! I forgot to say my budget, but £100 is about right for me.

The Schiit is out of stock according to their web site, but I have found the JDS on Amazon no probs. That looks ideal for what I need, so thanks again.

gitbags · 16 Nov 2020 at 11:12

One more option for you the topping L30, relatively new but well reviewed.

C64 · 18 Nov 2020 at 15:00

even a cheapo fiio will boost the sound from the monitors headphone out my ps4 sounds great on a fiio e6 i use headphone jack on monitor to the amp to headphones

you might be better off getting something like a soundblaster xg6 for the long run
but a cheap amp should do if ran from the monitors headphone out