Mad Lust Envy's Headphone Gaming Guide: (Updated: 5/23/2013. MrSpeakers Mad Dog v.3.2 Reviewed) - Page 802

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

Damn, boy. Going all out! How are the 990s?

TELL ME ABOUT IT, but the 990s r at home im still in class... but OMG MAD DOGS GET HERE

I wanna hear em both. But So excited [it sucks I have to work tonight...]

but I'll let u guys know... Oh I'm also putting a clear top RCA 12ua7 into my indeed G3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

...so if you own the Q701 and are fine with the headband, it's worth trying out the Annie pads.

And now I'm wishing I hadn't read this today. :p Mad Dogs only here for a week and I'm already considering my next purchase. However, I can say with certainty that the MDs will not be going back. They're here to stay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impulse 


The E17 is a combination amp/DAC, so it's useful as a serviceable amp as well as a source (either thru USB from a computer or by connecting another player or whatever thru optical or line in)... It just happens to have a custom dock connection for using the E09K as it's amp when docked.

The E09K can absolutely be used as an independent amp just like a Magni or an O2, those two are slightly better or more versatile amps tho... Without an E17 you only really have one input on the E09K, the USB port is strictly for feeding a docked E17 and the other RCA jacks are outputs (pre-amp and line out).

I'd probably go for one of the other two if you're not getting the E17 for use at a PC or whatever, since they'll handle a wider variety of headphones with ease... Though if you think you'll get the E17 at a later date then the E09K ends up being more versatile (more inputs, tone controls, etc).

No matter which amp you get, you'd basically go from the Mixamp's output (or your sound card's output) to the amp's input and then you plug the headphones into the amp.

All audio signals are electrically amplified to one extent or another at some point in the chain, I'll leave the finer details to Google or someone else. Dedicated headphone amps just do a better job of driving high end headphones than most gear (like the Mixamp) where amplification is an afterthought.

Like someone else said before tho, it isn't strictly about volume.

okay,

thanks a lot for helping me out.

I think imma stick with my dt 990s, and just get an amp plus mod mic.

Since i do love the way they make games sound. When its down to competitive gaming its all about gun skill anyways lol.

I see, i was looking for the magni but i couldnt find it on amazon. Ill try ebay.

My mix amp works but i have to turn up the volume past half to make it loud enough.

edit: i couldnt find either amps you recommended.

Quote:

Originally Posted by illbleed 

 

okay,

thanks a lot for helping me out.

I think imma stick with my dt 990s, and just get an amp plus mod mic.

Since i do love the way they make games sound. When its down to competitive gaming its all about gun skill anyways lol.

I see, i was looking for the magni but i couldnt find it on amazon. Ill try ebay.

My mix amp works but i have to turn up the volume past half to make it loud enough.

 

edit: i couldnt find either amps you recommended.

magni can be found at http://schiit.com/

The O2 is an open-source amp and can be found at various retailers, but the most popular iteration can be found at http://www.jdslabs.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bayonetwork 

First post longtime lurker hello everyone!
Need a recommendation for a pair of cans ive searched and read this guide several times:
Budget: 300ish
Where: mostly at home but wouldn't mind some portability and passive noise cancelling.
Primary use: mostly gaming (70% fun 30% competitive). But really want them to sound good for all types of rock music.
Power: mixamp 2013. Can get portable amp if needed.
Sound: something that can handle primarily fun gaming but also does well with competitive gaming. I will listen to a lot of music with them too. So large soundstage, fun bass but not bleeding into midrange, smooth treble and preferably not to fatiguing. Also something fairly easy to drive as all I have is a mixamp.
What I've looked at or tried: astro a40 but disliked it for many reasons. q701 but worried about lack of bass and "fun" factor as well as fatigue. Senn amperior, b&w p5 (no good for gaming).
So this will be my first set of decent cans. One thought was to buy two pairs, one for gaming, one for music. Or one do it all pair and a portable amp if necessary.
Thanks so much for any help!

Welcome!

With a budget of $300 you're well into the territory of affording both an amp as well as a decent pair of phones. While some HPs may benefit more than others, all will see in improvement in SQ with an amp. 

However if forgoing the amp, then might I suggest some Bayers. You'll need to determine how important portability will be though. I could only see myself using the 770s in public due to the closed design. If portability is not too big of a concern, or if your not as concerned with sound leakage while on the move, then the 990s will give you a bigger soundstage with a small decrease in sub bass. My only gripe with the 990 Pro 250ohms is a slight amount of simblance that occurs very rarely (usually with female vocals).  

I wouldn't go so far as to discount the Q701  just off the lack of bass... It not that he lower frequencies vanish, but rather they do not have the basshead punch that other HPs have. Think bookshelf speaker vs subwoofer. Then again, for portability, leakage will be a concern with these as well. 

If you're in the US than I'd say order 2 pairs off of Amazon (make sure its shipped and sold by amazon) and either keep or return both, in any case you'll just have to spend the return fee, rather than trying to sell them. The other option would be to check out a music supply store... some have demo models.

oh and sorry 'bout your wallet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 


Q701 and find out where to get the Anniversary's memory foam pads. It will more or less make them sound like the Annies, meaning complete all rounders. Borrowed my friend's Q701 and I'm using thr Annie's pads. It sounds very close to the Annie. I'm sure its the same, but driver variation makes them sound a little different.

So yes, my recommendation from now on for those that can't straight afford to get an Annie, if to get the K702/Q701 and buy a separate pair of Annie pads. You save about $100+, though it won't be as comfy as the Annie, due to the headband bumps.

Makes me want to organize a group buy from HK for a bulk order of Annie pads... 

MLE/Chico/EV/TD/(or anyone familiar with K/Q 701/2s) going off this diagram part #19 is the only one that needs to be replaced...correct? http://www.akg.com/mediendatenbank2/psfile/datei/4/k70248b2a8664eaf0.pdf or would a combination of parts be preferable as to just swap out an entire pad assembly?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruuku 

magni can be found at http://schiit.com/

 

The O2 is an open-source amp and can be found at various retailers, but the most popular iteration can be found at http://www.jdslabs.com/

The only problem with the Magni/Schiit here in Europe, it costs 120£ or something, a little more then the O2 amp :S.

At last i have ordered me a pair of DT 990 250 ohm premium, just because of the look :D.

So now i'm just looking for an amp, o2, magni, some tube :)?.