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Should i pick up a headphone amp for a computer?

post #1 of 6
12/28/10 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 

Hey all, I'm slightly confused here. First, i will start with what i have. 

 

Sound Card (in computer); Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Titanium HD "Audiophile Quality":

Here are the cards sepcs:

 

High-Fidelity audio performance D/A, A/D converter with SN ratio of 122dB with 0.001% (THD) distortion.
Headphone out with 115dB, 24bit/96kHz support High-Definition (HD) quality sound for original playback.
Personalize sound field experiences with swappable OP-amp sockets.
 

 

Headphones: Audio Technica ATH A700

Here are the specs:

 

 

TYPE Closed-back Dynamic, Double Air Damping System
DRIVER DIAMETER 53 mm
MAGNET Neodymium
VOICE COIL Copper-clad aluminum wire
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 5 – 35,000 Hz
MAXIMUM INPUT POWER 500 mW
SENSITIVITY 102 dB/mW at 1 kHz
IMPEDANCE 64 ohms

 

Now... I think i paid 180 for the sound card, and about 170 for the headphones.

 

My first question, do i even need one? I don't completely understand the dB's and SNRs and mW's. Maybe someone more familiar with all of that could chime in.

 

I was looking at a few amps. the Pro Ject Headbox II, and most recently, the matrix mstage. I only listen to music on my computer. that's where all my FLAC/lossless/mp3s are. Would a headphone amp benefit me? if so, which would would be good for me? 

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post #2 of 6
12/28/10 at 2:43pm

im also curious about this O.o is there any way to tell the power of a eadphone amp? is there a rule power wise like desktop hp amp>laptop hp amp>mp3 hp amp

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post #3 of 6
12/28/10 at 2:55pm
Thread Starter 

Yup. I actually just got off the phone with Schiit. Im pretty sure ill be picking up the Schiit Valhalla amp hopefully by about next week. After i get the amp, ill most likelly pick up the akg 701s. But please, im totally down to here everyones opinions.

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post #4 of 6
12/28/10 at 10:24pm

Yes.  I came from a pretty decent AV receiver and the Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 (original not the newly released one) and while it's a phenomenal card it just couldn't push my headphones they way my dedicated AMP/DAC can.  That also inclused an Auzentech Forte card as well.  Here were the Meridian's specs for comparison...

 

  • The C-Media Oxygen HD CMI8788 Audio Processor is the heart of the AUZEN X-MERIDIAN 7.1.
  • 4 pcs 24-bit/192kHz AK4396VF (120dB-part spec.) DACs for 7.1channel output. (24-bit/192kHz in 7.1channel playback)
  • 1 pc 24-bit/192kHz AK5385VF(114dB-part spec.) ADC input (24-bit/192kHz recording)
  • 1 pc CMI9780 AC'97 2.3 CODEC for AUX input, CD input, MIC input (16bit/48kHz playback/recording)
  • Integrated up to 192k/24-bit S/PDIF transmitter for 44.1kHz,48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz SPDIF output.
  • 5Vrms (Differential DAC output with gain adjustment / approximately full swing from +/- 8V dual power supply)

 

I'm currently using an Audio-GD FUN version A and it romps on this card (although this card was phenomenal for full range speakers with the analog outs it just isn't the same for headphones).


Edited by N0sferatu - 12/28/10 at 10:25pm
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post #5 of 6
12/29/10 at 2:49am

It sounds like your soundcard has removable op-amp chips that basically sit in sockets on the soundcard, so you can actually swap those out to get the sound you want.  You might not even need an amp actually.

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post #6 of 6
12/29/10 at 6:31am

on his or mine or both?  I know on the X-Meridian (including the new remake that just came out) has swappable OPAMPs.  I've used LM4562 opamps in mine and it's a great sound.  It amplifies headphones, just not as good as a dedicated AMP IMO.

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