There are a lot of people here that have more experience with amps than I do, but I'm currentlying using an O2 amp with my K701 and it works pretty well. I recently bought the Matrix M-stage for my DT990/600Ω so hopefully I'll be able to do a comparison.

 

I've also used the FiiO e10 before I got the O2s. When I first made the switch I heard, other than louder volume, a noticeable increase in the low-end and in soundstage. A slightly fuller, more dynamic sound, too. I don't know how the E10 compares to the E17, but from my understanding the Q701 is a bit easier to drive than the K701's, and since the price of the E10 has gone down significantly, it might not be a bad idea.

I would suggest, what ever you get has some decent output current to really make them shine!
If you can afford a mid line Nuforce, that is what I recommend. If not, a FIIO E10 would probably suffice, but barely.
I am assuming that if you can afford the Q701's, you can afford to get a decent NuForce headamp! I have owned both and you will not regret it! Neither will your ears!

 

Heya,

 

The E17, E9 or simply E10 would work fine. Here's an E10 for $45 shipped. It's over stated that these headphones are difficult to drive, when they're really not. It's more of a synergy thing than actual "lack of power" that seems to be described.

 

Sure you might prefer the sound of something three times or more expensive, but if you're looking to save money and get a good sound, see the above; again, you don't need more power than that honestly. It drives them fine.

 

Very best,

I found that the FiiO E11 works best with my Q701. Bass on 1. Low gain.

What source(s) you going to be plugging the DAC/Amp into?

 

Heya,

 

Depends what you want.

 

The E09K has way more power output. Is desktop only, not portable. It does not include a DAC, so whatever you're using for audio will have to output to this.

The E17 has less power output. It is however portable (battery) and desktop worthy, includes a good DAC (if it's even applicable, only really going to use that part of it if used with a desktop, not while portable).

 

Very best,

I use my Q701 with an E17 and I enjoy it quite a bit. I use mine on the medium gain setting at just under half volume, so there is still plenty more power on tap. The EQ on the E17 is also a nice option in case you find the Q701 to be a bit bass light. I use the +2 or +4 bass boost with mine as well. +4 for electronic music, and +2 for everything else.
 

So an E11 ($49 at Amazon) for use with the Android.

and the E10 ($44.99 at Adorama) for use with the laptop.

Edited by PurpleAngel - 12/6/12 at 8:54pm

E9 is $88 on Amazon. That's what I'd pick and I also own one. No idea why someone would spend the same amount on a portable amp for the Q701. I guess portable amps are more convenient.

Unlike some here, I haven't gotten them to sound good from many portable amps. The only way they sound good from my E11 and Total Airhead is if I use the headphone out so that they get more power from the internal amp. Straight from my E11 they're much more harsh and fatiguing than they should be. A lot thinner sounding. I still get enough volume to rupture my eardrums.

 

I have to say...Clip+ to Total Airhead with the headphone jack is quite good for the money! I used the Airhead with the K701 for 3 years back when I was new to all this and they didn't seem to have LOD cables around. I was fine with it.

 

If you get an E9, use the large jack. To pair with it you can buy an ODAC. That's what I use and it's a good match for the Q701. It doesn't make it more analytical/thinner or any of that nonsense. The ODAC isn't like that IMO.

 

Despite what some weirdos here say, the Q701 does not care about the 10 ohm impedance output. It doesn't even change with my receiver that has a 330 ohm output impedance.

 

I think the Q701 is fairly hard to drive. To me it's not as tough as the K501 or K400, but worse than the HD-650. It's pretty picky it seems with the DAC and amp. It HATED my Asgard. Wish I knew why...

K702 actually sounded better with the E9

 

Let me make sure I am understanding you correctly, you are saying that the Q701 is harder to drive than the HD650? 

 

Yes, based on my experience with them. Not everyone will agree. My HD-650 actually sounds very good straight from my old Ipod 3G from 2004! The Q701..not so much.

The K400, K501 and K601 are much harder to drive than the Q701 though. I think there's a few that thought the K601 wasn't as hard to drive as people say.

 

I just know that the K601 needs nearly half volume on high gain with my Micro Amp. Q701 and HD-650 are both always on low gain. HD-650 at about 35% volume.

 

I guess another part of the problem is that they're also a bit picky with amps. My Dj100 is like that too. Not sure why this is exactly.

 

Of course i'm not one of those people who claims the Q701 needs a $500+ amp like some on here. Even the E9 is good enough.

 

I remember trying it with the E10 and felt it was OK, but didn't try it for very long.