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Will USB amp improve audio quality?

post #1 of 14
3/2/11 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 

Hi, another noob question. I am awaitin delivery of new dt990pro and was wondering if I were to get  a usb amp if it would help my SQ. I am currently running a xonar ds card with an e5 amp and grado 60s the e5 made a little difference with this set up but did not improve it to have the WOW factor. I guess thats what I am looking for is to be WOWed. I see on ebay they have a chinese tubed amp for around $70, would this be something I should look into? I listen to all music usually mp3(320)  but not hip hop or rap crap.I can wait also and give these  a listen before jumping in or should I just do it now and be done with it for awhile?Thanks in advance

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post #2 of 14
3/2/11 at 4:27pm

Those beyers are demanding.  I don't know what to recommend at that price point.

You should probably save up for a used E9.

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post #3 of 14
3/2/11 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 

The price point isnt that much of an issue(dont want to jump both feet yet) just want to drive these suckers properly, I have no idea what to get or what any of them do. I am an old school audio nut, my first system was back in "75 with jbl 4311 a turntable and a a pioneer sx1010 receiver and lots of vinyl I am now home all of the time and trying to get into sound again and all I have is my PC and alot of ripped cdsl,I couldnt enjoy it it while raising my family, so I now I need to be more discrete with the volume. So this site seems to be the bible for headphone info and am hoping to glean some info from you all and educate myself and make informed decisions.

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post #4 of 14
3/2/11 at 9:12pm

I have a set of the DT770's and after listening to them for a while decided to amp them with the FiiO E7/E9 combination. As far as audio quality goes, the only real major difference I noticed was that the bass was a little more refined and the timbre was crisper. I realize the DT990 Pro is in a slightly different tier than the 770's but that may give you some reference point for audio quality.

 

As far as driving them properly, because they have a 250 ohm impedance, you'll need some extra boost to drive them and get decent sound. The E7/9 combo can drive my 300 ohm headphones with no problem, but the E9 is crucial for that setup due to the raw power that the E7 itself doesn't have. Under-driving high impedance headphones can result in a very crackly, popping sound that drives me crazy.

 

So, you'll definitely need an amp to power those cans, but as far as audio quality goes, I'm not entirely sure what kind of benefits you'll see. Of course I'm basing that off my experience with the 770's, so you could see an entirely different result. Hopefully that helped somewhat.

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post #5 of 14
3/2/11 at 10:02pm

Then you can try the KICAS or M-Stage amps, C2.1, Darkvoice and Little Dot amps - there's loads of great stuff depending on how much you're willing to spend.

You should probably ask in the full-sized headphone amps forum.

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post #6 of 14
3/2/11 at 11:14pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the info so far. I do have a question about the Fiio e9,Do I have to use this paired with the e7?

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post #7 of 14
3/2/11 at 11:38pm

 

 

Quote:
I do have a question about the Fiio e9,Do I have to use this paired with the e7?

 

The E9 has a 3.5mm line-in jack, so it can be used with any DAC, or even with an iPod or straight out of a PC sound card. (Some of these options will give better results than others, of course.) But the E7 is the only one currently available that sits nicely on the E9's topside docking port.

 

 

 

Quote:
or should I just do it now and be done with it for awhile?

 

As long as you keep reading Head-Fi, you'll never be done. biggrin.gif

 

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post #8 of 14
3/2/11 at 11:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yoga Flame View Post

, you'll neverAs long as you keep reading Head-Fi be done. biggrin.gif

 



Should I send my SS check now and be done with it?atsmile.gif

 

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post #9 of 14
3/3/11 at 7:49am

You've already got a decent DAC, just the E9 by itself will do.

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post #10 of 14
3/3/11 at 9:35am
Thread Starter 

E9  it is then, Thanks all

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post #11 of 14
3/4/11 at 9:21pm
Thread Starter 

Wow, received the DT990s today and right from the box they sound great, pretty sure I made a good decision if they sound this good right from the sound card/e5 and not burned in yet, These are gonna be great when the e9 gets here.Love getting new stuff, get to listen to my music again with fresh ears. I will be in beyerland if anybody needs to find me,,,,Thanks again for all the great help.A 62 yr old man is thankful to find you guys 

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post #12 of 14
3/4/11 at 11:40pm

ive listened to the dt990 out of a e5 its horrid u should get an usb dac/amp or sell ur xonar dx for a stx to really hear wat the 990's are capable of

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post #13 of 14
3/5/11 at 9:08am
Thread Starter 


Read the above post again and you will see I have the E9 on the way, I posted to say basically what you said but was happy it sounded this good out of an E5 and right out of the box(I really didnt even think I would get anything resembling music) if it remains to be this quality when I get the E9 I will dump them in a minute. Perfectly happy with the xonar ds for music sq wise it beat my old audigy2 zs plat for flat response
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by matchuk28 View Post

ive listened to the dt990 out of a e5 its horrid u should get an usb dac/amp or sell ur xonar dx for a stx to really hear wat the 990's are capable of



 

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post #14 of 14
3/5/11 at 12:40pm

Unquestionably no.  It will only make them louder.

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