[Suggestions] Looking for new open-back headphones...
Oct 1, 2011 at 6:29 PM Post #16 of 38
The receiver you stated in the 'mock' set up IS your amplifier. It gives the headphones more power. Just use the headphone jack on the receiver. 
 
Sound Card > Receiver (via Headphone Out) > Headphones
 
The HE500 doesn't need the speaker taps. It's much easier to drive than the HE5LE or HE6. They made it to be that way because the HE5 and HE6 were ridiculous. 
 
Quote:
jasio said:
Well, the headphones in the avatar did look awfully attractive so... maybe it was fated?
 
I'm surprised you would say that the sound card would drive the headphones on its own. I realize its a good sound card (hence the reason I bought it)- but on one side I am seeing lots of threads/posts about what types of amps/hardware people are testing/using with HE-5LE's and HE-6's and then all of a sudden the HE-500's don't need any amplification? Am I going to miss something by just going straight into the card? 
 
On the question of using a speaker receiver/amp - it is my understanding that impedance(ohm) is usually 16 and down usually to 4 ohm, with each decrease involving an increase in wattage. How would a headphone like the HE-500 which is rated at 38 ohm operate on such a receiver through a speaker tap? 
 
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Oct 1, 2011 at 6:33 PM Post #17 of 38
Sorry....
 
The headphones in your avatar isn't Hifiman.  I think Hifiman phones are great, just very power hungry.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  All phones benefit from amping, but some brands perform better without the additional power.  Grado is one of those manufacturers.  Your avatar is a sexy shot of the Grado HF2 (Head-Fi edition #2).  I like these because of the openness of Grados with impressive base.  If you're budget tight its nice to have phones that can wait for an amp purchase, and still be enjoyable.  Now the HF2s were a limited run phone, but plenty can be found here in the classifieds.  That's where I got mine.
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 6:37 PM Post #18 of 38
Though the HF2 is the only Grado I'd consider owning...I wouldn't recommend it as a first good headphone. Grados just have such a love/hate signature that I'd recommend something with a more 'for everyone' sound first, and then refine your favorite signature from that.
 
Quote:
buttuglyjeff said:
Sorry....
 
The headphones in your avatar isn't Hifiman.  I think Hifiman phones are great, just very power hungry.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  All phones benefit from amping, but some brands perform better without the additional power.  Grado is one of those manufacturers.  Your avatar is a sexy shot of the Grado HF2 (Head-Fi edition #2).  I like these because of the openness of Grados with impressive base.  If you're budget tight its nice to have phones that can wait for an amp purchase, and still be enjoyable.  Now the HF2s were a limited run phone, but plenty can be found here in the classifieds.  That's where I got mine.
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Oct 1, 2011 at 6:49 PM Post #19 of 38
Maybe so, but I hate spending someone else's money too soon.  I highly recommend shopping for something that you can use happily unamped, then take your time studying and saving for an amp.  Grado or not, I say shop in stages...
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 6:56 PM Post #20 of 38
His big investment would be the headphones. I agree on not wanting to encourage jumping in too quickly, but if he wants to he's gonna. 
 
The receiver way is a cheap way to go for amping, and he has a decent DC in the soundcard already. Pretty good place to start, IMO.
 
Quote:
buttuglyjeff said:
Maybe so, but I hate spending someone else's money too soon.  I highly recommend shopping for something that you can use happily unamped, then take your time studying and saving for an amp.  Grado or not, I say shop in stages...
Click to expand...



 
 
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 6:59 PM Post #21 of 38
If OP is looking for neutral and open backed, the two I'd be considering are the Beyer DT880 or Senn HD600.  Both would need amping - so good entry level - consider Fiio E9 (direct digital-out from your sound card), or if you wanted dac/amp combo - Fiio E7+E9 or an Audio-gd NFB-12.
 
You're looking at under $500 combined (cans + dac/amp) and it should be exactly what you're after - open, and an upgrade from your HD555.
 
FWIW the new NFB-12 pairs really well with both the DT880 and HD600, and the ability to change digital filters is nice to be able to tweak the sound a little more without using EQ.
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 6:59 PM Post #22 of 38


Quote:
morbidtoaster said:
The receiver you stated in the 'mock' set up IS your amplifier. It gives the headphones more power. Just use the headphone jack on the receiver. 
 
Sound Card > Receiver (via Headphone Out) > Headphones
 
The HE500 doesn't need the speaker taps. It's much easier to drive than the HE5LE or HE6. They made it to be that way because the HE5 and HE6 were ridiculous.  
 
 
Click to expand...


Is there anyway to easily check what the *headphone* jack output wattage is on a receiver? Looking at the sound card on its own it uses a TI TPA6120A2 headphone driver which has the ability to produce up to 0.14 watts of output- and the HE-500 is rated at 1 watt I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong. 
 
 
@Brooko: My budget is around $500 for the headphones alone. Amplification does not fall into that price, but I mentioned that I would consider it only if it were necessary (and it seems that it will be to some degree).
 
 
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 7:14 PM Post #23 of 38
I think HE-500 phones are a bit more then your $500 budget...
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 8:35 PM Post #26 of 38
Intesting,
 
Looking at the specifications of the sound card:
 
The TI TPA6120A2 EVM head phone amp is rated at continuous output power, Po: 32-Ω stereo, VCC  = ±12 V, 2 watts. I believe the EVM version is the Evaluation Module, hence not what you get "retail". The TPA6120A2 (non-EVM) used on the Asus Xonar Essence STX is rated at Po: 32-Ω stereo, VCC  = ±12 V, 1.5 watts / THD+N 0.001%. So not only should it run the HE-500's fine without any external amplification- it should be able to even run HE-5LE's or HE-4's. Interesting what some research into hardware will reveal.
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 8:41 PM Post #27 of 38
HE 500 would sound good, but myself (and many other around here) would suggest no less than 2 watts for any of the higher end HiFiMan cans. They simply won't sound their best out of your sound card...
 
Take the jump if you want though. In the end it's your decision. 
 
Quote:
jasio said:
Intesting,
 
Looking at the specifications of the sound card:
 
The TI TPA6120A2 EVM head phone amp is rated at continuous output power, Po: 32-Ω stereo, VCC  = ±12 V, 2 watts. I believe the EVM version is the Evaluation Module, hence not what you get "retail". The TPA6120A2 (non-EVM) used on the Asus Xonar Essence STX is rated at Po: 32-Ω stereo, VCC  = ±12 V, 1.5 watts. So not only should it run the HE-500's fine without any external amplification- it should be able to even run HE-5LE's or HE-4's. Interesting what some research into hardware will reveal.
Click to expand...



 
 
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 10:21 PM Post #28 of 38
I haven't met a HiFiman that I wouldn't want to amp.  That being said I haven't sampled the new HE-500, which isn't as power hungry.  I still say plan for an amp for this beauty...
 
Oct 1, 2011 at 10:33 PM Post #29 of 38
I tried it with the E5. :D Didn't work out too well. Sounded awful. Gotta have a quality amp. They're a little less efficient than the LCD 2.
 
Quote:
buttuglyjeff said:
I haven't met a HiFiman that I wouldn't want to amp.  That being said I haven't sampled the new HE-500, which isn't as power hungry.  I still say plan for an amp for this beauty...
Click to expand...



 
 
 
Oct 2, 2011 at 6:40 AM Post #30 of 38


Quote:
morbidtoaster said:
HE 500 would sound good, but myself (and many other around here) would suggest no less than 2 watts for any of the higher end HiFiMan cans. They simply won't sound their best out of your sound card...
 
Take the jump if you want though. In the end it's your decision.  
 
 
Click to expand...


You make an interesting point here- and this is where I am confused the most by far. You mention that the amp should have no less than 2 watts output- okay that makes sense. When I look at headphone amps I can usually find out what their output wattage is. However, on the other hand you also suggested an alternative: Using a receiver and taking advantage of its amplification and just plugging the headphones in to the 1/4" jack on the front- but I am finding it very difficult to locate what the output wattage is of these headphone jacks. Considering that the "high end" amp in my sound card can just manage 1.5 watts- I would assume most inexpensive receivers wouldn't be able to match that. 
 
That being said, the best bang for buck seems to be the Schiit Lyr- as it is designed to feed the hungry HE-6/HE-5LE/LCD-2.
 
 
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