++ FULL-SIZE HEADPHONE RECOMMENDATIONS THREAD++ i.e. Don't start a new thread: ask for advice... - Page 1173

Originally Posted by Empire1 


Okay I'm going to ask a completely amateurish question - is there a crash course thread for what amps are?
I'm still not sure what they exactly are or how they work.
And also, what kind of amp would you recommend to me if I used the Denons?

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

This is probably not a good place for your question--as it has nothing to do with headphones.

Originally Posted by Loquah 

Hi all,
I've just picked up my first headphone amp and DAC (NFB-5.2) and thinking about new open cans now that power isn't an issue. I have the AD900s at the moment and love their spacious presentation and detail retrieval, but I'd like more bass presence. I like a fairly neutral and accurate sound, but definitely lean towards energetic and fun so long as detail and staging stay strong. Any recommendations for an open can that fits this description under $500?

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

Senn HD 650.

Originally Posted by Loquah 

Really? Are they strong on detail retrieval? I read such mixed reports about their laid-back sound.

Originally Posted by hipster2010 

@Empire1

You will definitely hear a difference in sound quality going from the QC15s to either Denon model. Both of them, along with many of the others on your list, will uncover another layer of the music that isn't found on the QC15s or other lower end phones.

As I suggested earlier it may be worthwhile to invest in a DAC/amp to compliment the headphones that you choose. Simply put, an amp will provide power so that the headphones can play at audible (or very loud) volume. A DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) works like a sound card to process the music and send it in a format that your headphones will be able to play. Both amps and DAcs can be colored like headphones, meaning that they can do better at processing certain frequencies and when they output the signal it may not be exactly like the signal that was input.

iPods generally don't have the best onboard DACs/amps, so a lot of people will recommend that you get something that you can use with your iPod. My experience is that out of my iPhone compared to the computer jack, and especially out of my HRT Headstreamer DAC, the sound changes in my Denon D5000. While I do not have a really refined ear, I tend to pay attention to the lower frequencies as I am a bit of a basshead. With the cleanest signal the bass notes sound distinct and there is a clear sense of definition in each one, however, as my source gets worse, the definition lessens and the bassy sounds a bit boomy. he differences are slight, but because I've heard many different headphones in the past 6 months, and because I've grown used to the sound from my DAC, I can tell that the quality is slightly compromised.

If you get one of the Denons (I know this is true for the D2000, also fairly sure the D600 is similar in this regard), you do not need an amp as the impedance for the D2000 is 25ohms (quite low) and the sensitivity is 106db. The impedance levels are also flat throught the spectrum so increase the power will not help in any particular area of sound frequency. Here is an example of the D2000 and the Sennheiser HD598 with a graph of their impedances.





While the HD598 are rated with an impedance of 50 ohms which is also pretty lower, they have a spike in the bass that requires power to properly produce those frequencies.

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that you don't need an amp for the Denons. A DAC however, is a very wise investment. You will have enough power for the headphones, but the DAC will give you a cleaner signal. Even the budget cheapies will improve upon the iPod. Something like the FiiO E7 with a FiiO L3/L9 Line-out dock to hook your iPod up to it would work. The E7 is a decent performer, but there may be a few better options in a similar price range. The E7 is portable so it will be nicely compatible with your iPod. You can ask around/do some research for additional options.

Regarding the bass between the Denons, I have not heard the new D600, and as someone else mentioned, they are very new so few have really heard them. It might also answer your earlier question from your original post about the price dropping to $400 again soon, which I would say it is hard to know, but likely not. The D2000 are know as basshead cans, but they are very different than the Beats you've tried. It does not overemphasize the mid bass (~100-200hz) but instead has solid punch and extends down very low into subwoofer territory of the subbass. These are the frequencies that will really shake your head. Here is the frequency response graph which will give a general impression of the sound signature.





I do think that the D2000 are a nice headphone and a great first step into headphone land. Hopefully my rambling has helped you and not confused you more 

Originally Posted by AlexPerrotta 

Hi, i just joined the forum and already posted a thread on my question right before i saw this thread (sorry). so my question is between the AKG K240 MKII and the Audio Technica M50S le's; which should i buy? My overall preferences are sound quality and comfort, please help!!

Originally Posted by Empire1 


Awesome! Thanks so much, that was exactly what I was looking for.
This confirms my purchase of the D600s (which physically looks pretty nice also).
Now I need a little more info on this DAC you mentioned. Searched it up on Wikipedia and got overloaded with info. From online pics, it looks like a thin box of some sort I can hook up to my iPod and then hook the headphone to it.
And for DACs, I'll probably have to more affordable options. A FiO looks good price wise - I've heard about them everywhere... are they really good? Any other recommendations for other DACs?
The price can't be too high since most of my funds are going into that $500 Denon :P

Originally Posted by KG Jag 

Why?  It greatly opened up the D5000 & D7000 for me.  It also tamed just a tad of the brightness on all three.

Originally Posted by bixby 

That's the problem.  Many will argue my point, but you get out what you put in.  I believe in spending a bit more on the source and a bit less on the cans.  For example, many of the fiios amps I have heard with an ipod and great files actually hurt the detail and faithful reproduction of the music more than no amp at all.  Yea it may go a bit louder but you have to spend a bit more or find a good budget amp to really not mess it up.

A low cost dac will maybe do a bit better than a laptop built in dac, but many times a cheap dac does not really let you hear what the engineers of those $500 cans really wanted you to hear.  But many feel it is best to use a low cost dac and amp and better phones rather than a mid level dac and amp and slightly less quality phones.  All that being said, things are getting better every day, to wit the Dragon Fly and HRT Headstreamer as well as super budget options like the Behringer UC-222 and JDS labs cmoy.

Originally Posted by Empire1 


Would $120 be adequate to acquire a DAC that would work well with the Denons?

Originally Posted by devhen 

 

Do you mean portable amps? If so, I don't have any personal experience with those but most of them can adequately power the 80 and 250 ohm versions of the 770.