Buying a Beyerdynamic DT990 .. need amp?

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorandrew 

I'm getting the 600 ohm DT990 and I'm new to this culture.  I know it would need an amp, but I'm not looking for anything too expensive.  What is the cheapest, I guess most bang for the buck amp that would drive this headphone.  Thanks!

Home Amp or portable amp?

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorandrew 

Oh yeah and what's the difference between the 2005 editions and the new ones?

The 2005 edition IS the new one, assuming you have bought a Premium or Edition and not a Pro (check the Beyer website, they are very different).

If you want to build one, the Bottlehead Crack is a good one for high impedance headphones. If not, I know the Schiit ones are popular at the moment, but I can't help you there: apart from a Pico portable amp, I have never owned or listened to an amp I had not assembled myself.

Perhaps a Mini^3 or PPAv2? DIY amps are always have more bang for your buck than Commercial.

The Ming Da MC84-C07 is a wonderful mate for the 600 ohm Beyers. It's exactly the setup I started out with last year when I slid back into cans after a 30 year hiatus. About $320 direct or $420 from US distributor. It's warm, lush sound smooths the sometimes extreme highs of the 990 perfectly, and the combo throws out nice imaging and soundstage. Moderate quality NOS tubes will do the trick over the stock pos EL84 and 12AX7 if you don't want to go crazy. The Ming Da will bring out the best in 990's. You can't roll tubes with the Valhalla, that's a dealbreaker for me, and nobody has even heard it yet. Welcome to the hobby, and kiss your wallet goodbye.  

now, where's David.M when you need him? 

welcome to team beyerdynamic. 

let me know what you think of the valhalla when you get it...  it's not supposed to ship until mid-august...

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorandrew 

I wished you could have told me sooner tunarat.  I'll keep you guys posted about the valhalla... once i get it.  The headphones should be coming in today.  Do you think my computer  can drive them as i wait for the amp?

you'll be able to get a listenable volume.  unless you like to listen to music at ear crushing levels.

however, don't expect it to sound very good.  so don't give up on the dt990 until you've got the source and amp figured out.

mine have rewarded me with every upgrade in the chain...

EDIT:  oh, and btw, i think you'll be rewarded for your wait with the valhalla.  their first amp, the asgard, has caused a real stir here.  and i expect the valhalla to as well...

cheers!

Jut got my 990 600 omhs as well! I am driving it them a AV123 X-head. So far they seem to be ok, but I don't have any other amp to compare it to. I am also upgrading up a M50. Can anyone compare the x-head to something else? I am not quite sure if the x-head is doing the 990's justice.

So DT990 600 sounds better than M50 directly out of the desktop? That's pretty amazing..