Need recommendations for entry-level headphone amp

[Kaihekoa]

I recently upgraded the audio quality in my system via the beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm headphones. Games and even compressed Spotify music sound amazing on these just using motherboard audio. I can hear sounds that I never noticed before, and everything sounds more crisp and immersive. Audiophiles report that an amp could improve the sound quality even more than what I am getting now. What is a good entry-level amp that you would recommend trying? The volume level is more than adequate for my listening needs, I'm just looking at experiecing this reported improved audio quality. Budget is <= $70 USD. Thanks for your input.

[tacoshy]

Fiio E10K

Well its a DAC to be exact but does the jom with Beyerdynamics really good for the price.

[Arya]

I find myself in a similar position. I bought a set of Sennheiser HD599s a few weeks ago, and as magnificent as the Audio is I've been told they can sound even better with an Amp.

I'm absolutely fine with the volume - they're around punchy enough to pop your head. But I am curious about even better audio quality, or even thumpier bass. Again budget of around $100 USD.

[Kaihekoa]

引用自 Wolfıe：

I find myself in a similar position. I bought a set of Sennheiser HD599s a few weeks ago, and as magnificent as the Audio is I've been told they can sound even better with an Amp.

I'm absolutely fine with the volume - they're around punchy enough to pop your head. But I am curious about even better audio quality, or even thumpier bass. Again budget of around $100 USD.

Aye, I've never been into high end audio gear, but these headphones are really something special. They easily beat out the HyperX Cloud Revolvers I was using for gaming before. I had also tried out the Sennheiser 598s among a couple others. The 598s were excellent and very comfortable, but I like the stronger bass on the DT 990s.

引用自 tacoshy：

Fiio E10K

Well its a DAC to be exact but does the jom with Beyerdynamics really good for the price.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

[Arya]

I had exactly the same previous experience. Used a HypxerX Cloud headset for a year, then had it fail suddenly a few weeks ago. It's a fantastic bang-for-buck headset, but it won;t hold a candle against real HiFi equipment.

Although I made the reverse decision of wear to go. After trying the HD599 and DT770 I chose the Sennheisers, as I found them more comfortable and Bass wasn't a top priority. I was also turned off by the DT770's frame design, I have long and sometimes flyaway hair and it immediately tangled in the adjustable frame on the DT770. It's a fabulous headset, it's just not the right one for me.

The Sennheisers give the lightness and comfort I want, they can't tangle my hair and the audio quality is heavenly.

[humboldt]

引用自 Kaihekoa：

I recently upgraded the audio quality in my system via the beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm headphones. Games and even compressed Spotify music sound amazing on these just using motherboard audio. I can hear sounds that I never noticed before, and everything sounds more crisp and immersive. Audiophiles report that an amp could improve the sound quality even more than what I am getting now. What is a good entry-level amp that you would recommend trying? The volume level is more than adequate for my listening needs, I'm just looking at experiecing this reported improved audio quality. Budget is <= $70 USD. Thanks for your input.

you only need an amplifier, if the music is not loud enough a good soundcard that is loud enough is always right. the audiophlie thing: bass sound quality is better with amlifier.
imho

[Monk]

I would highly recommend schiit products http://www.schiit.com/home
I did loads of research prior to picking my amp and DAC and they came up top alot of the time for their price brackets, I use the stack f Modi and magni and it's fantastic. (But costs 200 combined) the fulla is the entry model at 100 that will combine an amp and DAC.

[Kaihekoa]

引用自 the exploited：

you only need an amplifier, if the music is not loud enough a good soundcard that is loud enough is always right. the audiophlie thing: bass sound quality is better with amlifier.
imho

Cool, thanks for clarifying that.

引用自 Monk：

I would highly recommend schiit products http://www.schiit.com/home
I did loads of research prior to picking my amp and DAC and they came up top alot of the time for their price brackets, I use the stack f Modi and magni and it's fantastic. (But costs 200 combined) the fulla is the entry model at 100 that will combine an amp and DAC.

Thanks, I'll look at the Fulla 2 as well. Hopefully it's better than the brand name implies lol.

[Kaihekoa]

引用自 Wolfıe：

I had exactly the same previous experience. Used a HypxerX Cloud headset for a year, then had it fail suddenly a few weeks ago. It's a fantastic bang-for-buck headset, but it won;t hold a candle against real HiFi equipment.

Although I made the reverse decision of wear to go. After trying the HD599 and DT770 I chose the Sennheisers, as I found them more comfortable and Bass wasn't a top priority. I was also turned off by the DT770's frame design, I have long and sometimes flyaway hair and it immediately tangled in the adjustable frame on the DT770. It's a fabulous headset, it's just not the right one for me.

The Sennheisers give the lightness and comfort I want, they can't tangle my hair and the audio quality is heavenly.

Wolfie, did you get around to trying out an amp/dac yet? I've been testing out the Fiio E10K over the weekend and really don't notice a difference in the quality/tonality of the sound compared to the audio on my Maximus VIII Hero. I've been testing it out with a few of my favorite songs from each of the genres of music I listen to, along with a couple games. I did have occassional popping/crackling with my motherboard audio which is cleared up using the E10k though, but I don't think that improvement is worth the $75 so far.

[Arya]

引用自 Kaihekoa：

Wolfie, did you get around to trying out an amp/dac yet? I've been testing out the Fiio E10K over the weekend and really don't notice a difference in the quality/tonality of the sound compared to the audio on my Maximus VIII Hero. I've been testing it out with a few of my favorite songs from each of the genres of music I listen to, along with a couple games. I did have occassional popping/crackling with my motherboard audio which is cleared up using the E10k though, but I don't think that improvement is worth the $75 so far.

I haven't yet. It'll probably have to wait to New Years, my spending priority at the moment is family.

I have exactly the same issue, though. A bit of popping every now and then, and some minor issues with very bassy sounds. It's annoying, but perfectly livable.

[Kaihekoa]

Ok thanks, I understand. There may be a difference in quality, but I just don't notice it. Gonna return the Fiio E10K for now.

[Arya]

I have a feeling your board and headset are working better together than mine. I get quite a lot of popping and crackling, and it seems to be caused by powerful low-frequency noises. Any bang or crackle loud enough produces a loud POP. It's frequent, distracting and annoying.

RTS, FPS and Racing games seem the worst effected. Volleys of gunfire or clustered explosions distort the sound, and the backfiring and Anti-Lag rumble of a race car also set it off. Some genres of music also cause it, particularly the hardcore rock that I really enjoy.

I know postive that it's a signal issue and not damage. I've tried my headset with a better signal, and it worked superbly. I also begged, borrowed or stole a few headsets from friends and the exact same issue appeared, very predictably, on the more powerful sets, while being absolutely fine on lower powered sets.

[tacoshy]

引用自 Kaihekoa：

Ok thanks, I understand. There may be a difference in quality, but I just don't notice it. Gonna return the Fiio E10K for now.

did you also use high sample music files? espacially YT MP3 files doesnt cut it.

[Kaihekoa]

引用自 tacoshy：

引用自 Kaihekoa：

Ok thanks, I understand. There may be a difference in quality, but I just don't notice it. Gonna return the Fiio E10K for now.

did you also use high sample music files? espacially YT MP3 files doesnt cut it.

I just use Spotify Premium these days, which is 320kbit Ogg Vorbis. I picked out a song from each of my genres and really tried to analytically listen for a difference while it was looping. Amazon does allow returns until after Christmas, so maybe I'll test drive it a couple more weeks before deciding.