[iSpy]

  I use an Omni, which is the same as the Z but USB instead of PCIe.  The volume is not an issue at all and the sound isn't bad, but once I put a real amp in there, the sound improved noticeably.  
 
It's one of those things where you will not think it sounds bad until you hear it with the amp and then you'll go, "Ooooh, so that's what they meant!"
 
BTW, the DAC in the Omni was comparable to the Schiit Modi to my ears, so I returned my Modi.  SBZ/SB Omni with an amp is a pretty solid budget setup.

Which amp did you get and is there a drawback to the Omni compared to the SBZ? I see its about $20 cheaper.

 

[iSpy]

*double post

 

[Stillhart]

  Which amp did you get and is there a drawback to the Omni compared to the SBZ? I see its about $20 cheaper.

The only reason I got the Omni over the Z is because it was cheaper.  As far as I know, there are no drawbacks, other than using another port and having one more thing on your desk taking up space.  I kinda like how mine looks tho...
 

 
EDIT - Oh and I got the Matrix M-stage, which I've since upgraded from.  It's a great amp and pairs really well with the Q701.  You'll find that it's been recommended quite a lot.  I'm going to be selling mine as soon as I can be bothered to post it on the classifieds... been a busy few weeks tho.

 

[iSpy]

  The only reason I got the Omni over the Z is because it was cheaper.  As far as I know, there are no drawbacks, other than using another port and having one more thing on your desk taking up space.  I kinda like how mine looks tho...
 

 
EDIT - Oh and I got the Matrix M-stage, which I've since upgraded from.  It's a great amp and pairs really well with the Q701.  You'll find that it's been recommended quite a lot.  I'm going to be selling mine as soon as I can be bothered to post it on the classifieds... been a busy few weeks tho.

Took a look at the M-stage and thats way more than I'm looking to spend atm haha. Do you think the Omni plus a cheap CMoy could drive the Q701 alright? And thanks for the replies so far you've been really helpful.

 

[Stillhart]

  Took a look at the M-stage and thats way more than I'm looking to spend atm haha. Do you think the Omni plus a cheap CMoy could drive the Q701 alright? And thanks for the replies so far you've been really helpful.

The built-in amp in the Omni is better than most any amp under $100.  The cheapest upgrade I'd look at is something like a Schiit Vali or maybe a cheap tube amp like the Little Dot Mk I or Bravo Ocean.  
 
I haven't heard any of those amps, btw, just going on what I've read.

 

[SupremeNoobist]

Hey guys, I'm extremely new to headfi or anything related to audio. I recently got into such hobby and also bought the Q701 paired with a HT Omega Claro Halo soundcard w/ Built in Amp. It is definitely a great headphone with amazing sounds (really learnt the meaning of what soundstage is on this headphone compared to things an average person would use) but there was one problem for me. The pads on the Q701 seems a bit on the hard type of foam side and it actually feels a bit uncomfortable to me. I immediately feel it the moment I put on the headphones as it clamps to my head but it's not so serious that it bothers me at first until after extended use, it gives me a headache. When googling this problem, NOT ONE person ever complained about this so I figure I must be doing something wrong. Now I turn to you guys who have more experience, knowledge, and also have the Q701 to see what you could suggest for me?

 

[ThurstonX]

  Hey guys, I'm extremely new to headfi or anything related to audio. I recently got into such hobby and also bought the Q701 paired with a HT Omega Claro Halo soundcard w/ Built in Amp. It is definitely a great headphone with amazing sounds (really learnt the meaning of what soundstage is on this headphone compared to things an average person would use) but there was one problem for me. The pads on the Q701 seems a bit on the hard type of foam side and it actually feels a bit uncomfortable to me. I immediately feel it the moment I put on the headphones as it clamps to my head but it's not so serious that it bothers me at first until after extended use, it gives me a headache. When googling this problem, NOT ONE person ever complained about this so I figure I must be doing something wrong. Now I turn to you guys who have more experience, knowledge, and also have the Q701 to see what you could suggest for me?

 
I think a few people have complained about the clamping pressure.  Yes, the foam is on the stiff side compared to a lot of pads.  Given the mechanism AKG uses to lock their pads to the cups, it takes some work to adapt non-AKG pads.  Fortunately, AKG pads are often interchangeable, which means you can try the AKG K702 65th Anniversary pads (which have the same part number as the newer K712 replacement pads).  They are much softer; a memory foam, IIRC.  They are not inexpensive, selling for approximately USD$60 direct from AKG in the US (only ships to the US, IIRC).  If you're not in the US, you can search around for resellers in your area.  If you need the US AKG contact info, pretty sure it's been posted in this thread in the last month or so.  I can dig it up for you, if you really can't find it.
 
If it's really clamping pressure that's bothering you, as opposed to the pads simply being stiff, the memory foam replacement pads may or may not alleviate the problem.  Pretty sure they'd be more comfortable, though.
 
Good luck.

 

[SupremeNoobist]

Yes, I think it is both the factor of the pad being a bit stiff and the clamping that makes it uncomfortable but mainly because of the pad being stiff so I will actually buy the new pads to see the difference. I can find the contact number by google for AKG or any trusted sellers (bought mine from B&H in NY) but thank you for the fast response and the suggestion. I will order it and see how it goes!

 

[i luvmusic 2]

Anyone of you guys used this TEAC - UD-H01 DAC?Thanks!

 

[DaemonSire]

As Thurston mentioned, the K702 Annie pads are certainly more comfortable.  They do change the sound some however by decreasing the soundstage slightly and making it a bit warmer sounding.
 
I have both the stock and K702 Annie pads.  Before I did the bass port mod, I preferred the sound of the Annie pads.  Once I did the bass port mod, I went back to stock.  Come to think of it I haven't actually tried the bass port + Annie pads myself.  I read some people saying it was too much added warmth/bass but I need to try that out myself.
 
I think because the Annie pads aren't angled (whereas the stock pads are), that is the cause of the decrease in soundstage.  Now when I say decrease, it is still huge so don't worry about that.
 
If you are ok with adding a bit extra warmth to the sound, the comfort will definitely be there.

 

[Solrighal]

Do the Anniversary pads do anything to tone down the treble spike?

 

[Chris J]

Silly as it might be to ask this in this thread of all places, how do you guys think the Beyerdynamic DT880 (600 Ohm in particular) and AKG Q701 compare?

I used to have a pair of 600 Ohm DT880.
I found they were a more neutral, slightly warmer headphone than the Q701. But I also felt they sounded a bit bland.
I found I preferred the Q701, and after I bass modded the Qs I stopped using my DT880s and sold them.
Some people complain about a treble spike in the DT880, personally it never bothered me but I did prefer using the DTs with a tube amp. Tube amps mitigate the blandness that DT880s can have.
The bass on the DTs was fuller and flatter than the bass on the stock Q701s.
But I found that the DTs had a slightly hollow sounding midrange relative to the Qs.

Bottom line is I kept my Q701 and sold my DT880!

 

[ampair]

Do the Anniversary pads do anything to tone down the treble spike?

Yes they do, but not by much.

I have both the stock and K702 Annie pads.  Before I did the bass port mod, I preferred the sound of the Annie pads.  Once I did the bass port mod, I went back to stock.  Come to think of it I haven't actually tried the bass port + Annie pads myself.  I read some people saying it was too much added warmth/bass but I need to try that out myself.

Annie pads + bass mod is definitely too much. Not only because it adds warmth but also you massively lose on the treble. YMMV, but to me this effect seems to be more than just the sum of the seperate mods.

 

[ThurstonX]

Do the Anniversary pads do anything to tone down the treble spike?

 
I found that a thicker material in place of, or along with, the thin foam rings that sit between the driver and the mesh of the pads.  For me, real wool felt worked the best, as it didn't mess much with the rest of the sound.  That, plus the bass port mod in some fashion, made them much more enjoyable for more genres.

 

[Boogirl]

   
If you're looking in the $200-250 price range, I'd suggest finding a used Audio-GD NFB-15.32 (or similar).  

 
Thank for this. I was thinking that the Schiit Modi might be a good entry level DAC for a first buy. I am after all just starting out, but am yet to commit to a purchase as I can't choose between the USB version or the optical version. One thing I noticed about the Audio-GD NFB is that it sports both Optical and USB inputs. This puts it at a real advantage, at least compatibility wise, to the Modi which only has either USB or optical option.