Yes; an amplifier with a lower output impedance would be even better, but it only makes a small difference. You could also use the 250 Ω version, in case you avoided that for being worried that the card cannot drive it. It would work fine, although the coiled cord may be somewhat inconvenient if you want to use the rear headphone jack on the card without an extension cable.

Edited by stv014 - 10/2/12 at 11:01am

The Essence STX is just fine at driving DT770 Pro 80-Ohm headphones.

Thanks for the replies, I may go with the 250 ohm set as I doubt I'll be leaving the house in them much. Does anyone have experience of both the senn 518s and the 770's? I'm guessing the 770's are the better sounding set. Tempted by the 990's too but I've got to draw the line somewhere!

As I prefer open headphones, I will use my DT990 Pro 250-Ohm over the DT770 Pro 250-Ohm.

I also prefer (a little) the DT770 Pro 250-Ohm over the DT770 Pro 80-Ohm.

I believe the Senn HD518 is a good choice for unamped source(s) or motherboard built-in audio.

Hmm I guess the 990's aren't much more expensive, I'll have a think and stop threadjacking. thanks guys

I got three DUAL SOIC LME49990 DIP8 ADAPTER in the mail here the other day, and I'm wondering if you guys would exchange all 3 opamps for those if you were using a HE-400 headphone? Or would you recommend another combo? Really loving them so far, mine is rev3, and they sounded very bright at first, but with Dolby headphone enabled they are excellent. A huge upgrade from DT 770 80 ohm!

hey guys i recently got a asus xonar ST..was wondering if someone could recommend me a set of really nice headphones.  ill be using for gaming movies and music thanks..price range about 400

Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro 250-Ohm or Premium 600-Ohm.

Tried with three DUAL SOIC LME49990 DIP8 ADAPTER that I got in the mail from frugalphile, but to me I feel like the standard opams with Dolby enabled sound better or little more clean? With the 49990 i feel they are better with no Dolby enabled, kinda weird.

Quote:

 

In your opinion, how does the LME49990 change the sound in comparison to the stock opamps?

 

Dolby headphone degrades sound quality so much it may not even be a fair comparison. 

Making the sound more neutral, the bass isn't as prominent, the bass is still very good though, it has a sweeter edge to it. I have a feeling the LME49990 is a better long term solution. I switched my headphones earpads as well from pleather to velour now, and I think I prefer the LME49990 without Dolby. What I enjoyed with the standard opams with Dolby enabled was how fun they sounded. I really need to change them back to see if this was the case. With standard opams and no Dolby, they sounded too bright.

Right now the LME49990 are sounding very good. Only problem is that I can hear some rattling and crackling on the sound with certain tracks, maybe its just my HE-400 rev3 acting up, I've already contacted HIFiMAN about getting them replaced because some audible peak, see here.

Anyone else using the LME49990 and can comment on them? How did they change the sound for you?

EDIT: I've whopped my original questions into a quote rather than delete them, but after a night's worth of asking around, merciless digging, and finally discovering correct terminology, I'm happy with my understanding of how everything works =]

 

Edited by Jademalo - 10/7/12 at 6:13pm

Hi my name is alex, new to this forum, STX owner, and thanks to the useful information I found on this thread I took a leap and ordered some op amps:

 

(3) DUAL SOIC LME49990 DIP8 ADAPTER

 

(2) LME49720NA 

 

Will post my results after I have the chance to test them. :)

I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say about the 49990! Did you order from frugalphile@ebay as well? What headphones are you using with your STX?