Headphone amp in interface vs Axe-Fx

[Callan]

A few weeks back I got a set of 250ohm DT880 headphones which are fantastic.

Last night I came to realise that they sound quite different depending on what I plug them into.
Into the AxeFX3, they are fantastic, but I was surprised they were so much better in the AFX, compared to my Focusrite Saffire or the Headphone output on an X32 mixer.

I get plenty of output from all the interfaces, it just sounds much fuller/clearer from the AxeFX.

Has anybody else experienced the same thing?
Does my interface have a low quality headphone amp, or A/D conversion perhaps?
.. or have I lost my mind (again..) ?

 

[touch33]

A nice set of cans like your 880’s will reveal all sorts of stuff, esp. sub-par headphone amp circuits. My experience in pro audio and my well-trained ears appreciate the excellent audio quality of Fractal products.

 

[edwinstar]

It could have something to do with the Output Impedance of your different Headphone Amps.

 

[bradlake]

Yes ,the output of III’s headphone jacks is as good as high end DACs IMO

 

[Piing]

Yes ,the output of III’s headphone jacks is as good as high end DACs IMO

Yes, it is. It uses the Analog Devices ADA4075-2. A refined ultralow noise and ultralow distortion amp. I know it because I had to replace mine

 

[biskitboy]

Don’t overlook that you might not have things mapped 100% properly between these devices. Could be panning differences that are producing this too.