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For headphones such as SN HD 598 or Sony MDR XB 1000, should I get an amp?

post #1 of 7
12/9/11 at 5:02pm
Thread Starter 

I have no headphones amp for now. I'm running my SN HD 598 off my Asus Motherboard internal sound card, which isn't bad (I heard worse).

 

However, I keep hearing people recommending an amp. Is there such a big difference?

 

Sony MDR XB 1000 are listed as requiring 100 mw of power. I think my mobo's card supplies that much. I read about amps that give out 150 mw or more. Wouldn't they stress the drivers of the headphones?

 

Last but not least, are Sony / SN worth the money on an AMP? Or do I need higher quality headphones to actually make such an investment worth it?

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post #2 of 7
12/9/11 at 8:36pm

HD598s don't really need an amp.

 

I think a DAC would bring more improvement, especially since with just an amp you would just be double amping your sound card which is bad.

 

Maybe look into some of the cheaper DAC/amp combos.

 

 

Don't know about the Sonys.

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post #3 of 7
12/9/11 at 11:07pm

Senn 598s don't REQUIRE an amp

 

But unfortunately it is recommended, and not just for improving their sound.  Their 3.5mm cable jack is designed in the most horrendously wonky manner of any headphones.  Instead being the standard connector for almost all headphones, somehow Senneheiser decided to instead go for a 6.3 mm jack for "home audio" use.  Effectively it meant for ~95% of us we have to use their own PROPRIETARY 3.5 mm attachment instead.  If your listening out of an iPod, iPhone, laptop, desktop, or any amp with only 3.5 mm sockets, the 3.5 mm adapter will constantly be detached or otherwise interrupt the flow of music.  If you get an amp, get one with 6.3 mm or larger outlets to ensure a secure connection. Otherwise don't bother.

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post #4 of 7
12/10/11 at 12:42am

Definitely not required, but I think the HD598 sounds so much better with some real juice behind it.

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post #5 of 7
12/10/11 at 3:36am

The XB-1000 has a really high stated sensitivity, but with the sheer size of that driver, having a strong low-impedance amp really makes a difference for overall sound quality.  I don't want to use a word like required, but over in that thread, I'm pretty convinced that how people feel about them is highly dependant on the amps that people use with them.

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post #6 of 7
12/10/11 at 4:25am
As far as I'm concerned all headphones need to be amped, low impedence cans can be driven without but they sound so much better with some power behind them.
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post #7 of 7
12/11/11 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you for all your answers guys. I'll go buy an amp. Well, I'll buy a sound card actually, since I do all my music listening at the PC. People around here seem to be quite happy with Asus Xonar Essense ( http://www.head-fi.org/t/584559/should-i-get-an-asus-xonar-essence-stx#post_7957279 )

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