Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Looking to buy budget Desktop Amp for DT 880s
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Looking to buy budget Desktop Amp for DT 880s

post #1 of 25
1/12/12 at 1:21pm
Thread Starter 

So, from what I've read, I need to buy an amp to better utilize these headphones. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, however I have no idea how much money is "too little" when buying an amp. Basically I want to get the best bang for my buck. By budget is around $100.

 

Also, I need to get a 6' 1/8 extension cable for these headphones. Does it matter which one I get?

 

Thanks!

Reply
post #2 of 25
1/12/12 at 2:28pm

What devices are you going to be plugging the headphone amplifier and headphones in to?

Reply
post #3 of 25
1/12/12 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post

What devices are you going to be plugging the headphone amplifier and headphones in to?



Onboard computer audio jack.

Reply
post #4 of 25
1/12/12 at 3:17pm

Good prices for cables at Monoprice.

 

Goes the Fiio E9 goes for around $100.

but your still using the low quality DAC built into the motherboard.

Reply
post #5 of 25
1/12/12 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post

Good prices for cables at Monoprice.

 

Goes the Fiio E9 goes for around $100.

but your still using the low quality DAC built into the motherboard.



Do I need a soundcard?

Reply
post #6 of 25
1/12/12 at 4:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nordy View Post
Do I need a soundcard?

If all your doing is music, then an external USB/DAC/headphone amplifier is fine, (HiFiman EF2A tube headphone amplifier).

Gaming and movies are better using a sound card (surround sound), they also do music too.

I'm an Xonar sound card fan (Essence STX) which does everything fairly well, but that's $180.

But would be the best sound card for powering Beyerdynamic DT880 (Premium or Pro) 250-Ohm headphones.

 

One low cost device is a single tube headphone amplifiers sold on eBay, ships from China, takes 10 days.

Prices start out at $45, better ones start at $75, even better (Indeed G3) go for $120.

You would also need a digital multi-meter (DT830) which start at around $7

to make fine voltage adjustments to these Chinese ampsto bring out their best.

You can always add an external DAC like the Fiio D3 for around $30.

 

Reply
post #7 of 25
1/12/12 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post

If all your doing is music, then an external USB/DAC/headphone amplifier is fine, (HiFiman EF2A tube headphone amplifier).

Gaming and movies are better using a sound card (surround sound), they also do music too.

I'm an Xonar sound card fan (Essence STX) which does everything fairly well, but that's $180.

But would be the best sound card for powering Beyerdynamic DT880 (Premium or Pro) 250-Ohm headphones.

 

One low cost device is a single tube headphone amplifiers sold on eBay, ships from China, takes 10 days.

Prices start out at $45, better ones start at $75, even better (Indeed G3) go for $120.

You would also need a digital multi-meter (DT830) which start at around $7

to make fine voltage adjustments to these Chinese ampsto bring out their best.

You can always add an external DAC like the Fiio D3 for around $30.

 


I heard that the G3 isn't so great, and I'm also concerned about having to buy new tubes. I'd prefer if I could just buy an amp and be done with it. Anyone have an opinion on the tc-7510?

 

Reply
post #8 of 25
1/14/12 at 9:52am

I don't know what you heard about G3, it's not a big improvement in sound quality over G2, but it sounds pretty good with russian Electro Harmonix tubes (6922EH, ECC82EH), just stay away from chinese one (6N11).

Reply
post #9 of 25
1/14/12 at 10:41am

Go to the website Rockgrotto, they have several threads on these tube amps from China.

My Muse EH 6922 matches my Essence STX for sound quality.

Reply
post #10 of 25
1/19/12 at 8:41am

Sounds like the Fioo E10 might be what you want. I haven't tried it but it's got a DAC/Amp and seems to be very well known for great price/performance.

Reply
post #11 of 25
1/20/12 at 5:22am
Thread Starter 

I have a birthday coming, so I think I can swing around $200. :p

 

Would the Cute Beyond or the Music Hall OBH-11 be a good choice?

 

Reply
post #12 of 25
1/21/12 at 1:52am

You might find deals on Matrix M-Stage like I did in the Sell section forum for $210. That would be a good choice for your DT880s, It was a choice I made for my DT880 pro-250s. Just gotta wait for it to come.

Reply
post #13 of 25
1/21/12 at 2:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nordy View Post

Do I need a soundcard?


If you are looking for a sound card, the Xonar Essence ST (PCI) or STX (PCIe) does not only have a good DAC, but also a headphone amplifier based on the same chip as the FiiO E9, with the same maximum power output, so you may save the cost of that. By the way, what impedance version of the DT880 do you have ?

 

Reply
post #14 of 25
1/21/12 at 5:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by stv014 View Post


If you are looking for a sound card, the Xonar Essence ST (PCI) or STX (PCIe) does not only have a good DAC, but also a headphone amplifier based on the same chip as the FiiO E9, with the same maximum power output, so you may save the cost of that. By the way, what impedance version of the DT880 do you have ?

 



250 Ohm

 

Would I get better sound out of that soundcard or a $200 amp?


Edited by nordy - 1/21/12 at 5:44am
Reply
post #15 of 25
1/21/12 at 7:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nordy View Post

250 Ohm

Would I get better sound out of that soundcard or a $200 amp?


It depends on what $200 amp, but it should drive them fine. If you do plan to buy an external amplifier, then a cheaper Xonar card (e.g. the D2 or D2X) with line outs only would probably be OK, too, as DACs those are still quite good.

 

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Looking to buy budget Desktop Amp for DT 880s