Will a headphone amp have any significance in my setup?
Jun 24, 2013 at 2:19 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 7

Daisuk

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Hi guys! Been lurking on here a lot lately, figured it was time to register and ask a question. :) I am currently using a pair of Sennheiser HD 600 to mix (and listen to) music with, mainly mixing. The thing is, I've been recommended to get a Schiit Asgard mk II to amplify them, to get the most out of them - however, I am a little bit uncertain on whether or not an Asgard is really what I need (even though it's supposed to sound great with the HD 600's). 
 
Basically, I'm running all the sounds from my synths and drum machines into a Behringer Mixer (a Behringer Eurorack MX2004A), and have the Sennheisers connected to the headphone out in that. If I get the Asgard, I'll have to somehow connect it to the Behringer mixer first, that's as close to the source as it can get at this point. Will the amplified signal then be any "better" or "clearer", or will it be a waste of money since I'm connecting the Asgard through the mixer?
 
Also, I have a ESI 24XL soundcard connected to my computer, which goes into the tape in on the mixer, so let's say I'm to listen to some FLAC or high quality MP3's on my computer, will the Asgard have any significance then, if it goes first through the ESI and then the Behringer mixer? Should I then also get a DAC?
 
The thing is, my budget is a bit tight, but I have pre-ordered an Asgard mk II a long time ago which can finally be picked up now, but I'm a bit on the fence as to whether or not it will increase the clarity of the sound or not. Clarity is key here, I don't want a colored "better" sound, but a clear a sound as possible (for mixing music mainly). 
 
Any suggestions much, much appreciated! :)
 
Jun 24, 2013 at 5:38 PM Post #2 of 7
The HD600s are remarkable in that they scale with amplification more than any other headphones I've tried.  So, yes, the HD600s will benefit from amping and you'll notice a difference.
 
Jun 24, 2013 at 6:19 PM Post #3 of 7
I also have a senn hd600. I find that if eq up the bass there is sizzling when the bass is strong. Same problem with fiio e17 and if I plug into Samsung galaxy s2 and s4.

I have been offered an rsa intruder. Will that fix it? Will that make my can sound better?
 
Jun 24, 2013 at 7:16 PM Post #5 of 7
Quote:
Hi guys! Been lurking on here a lot lately, figured it was time to register and ask a question. :) I am currently using a pair of Sennheiser HD 600 to mix (and listen to) music with, mainly mixing. The thing is, I've been recommended to get a Schiit Asgard mk II to amplify them, to get the most out of them - however, I am a little bit uncertain on whether or not an Asgard is really what I need (even though it's supposed to sound great with the HD 600's). 
Basically, I'm running all the sounds from my synths and drum machines into a Behringer Mixer (a Behringer Eurorack MX2004A), and have the Sennheisers connected to the headphone out in that. If I get the Asgard, I'll have to somehow connect it to the Behringer mixer first, that's as close to the source as it can get at this point. Will the amplified signal then be any "better" or "clearer", or will it be a waste of money since I'm connecting the Asgard through the mixer?
Also, I have a ESI 24XL soundcard connected to my computer, which goes into the tape in on the mixer, so let's say I'm to listen to some FLAC or high quality MP3's on my computer, will the Asgard have any significance then, if it goes first through the ESI and then the Behringer mixer? Should I then also get a DAC?
The thing is, my budget is a bit tight, but I have pre-ordered an Asgard mk II a long time ago which can finally be picked up now, but I'm a bit on the fence as to whether or not it will increase the clarity of the sound or not. Clarity is key here, I don't want a colored "better" sound, but a clear a sound as possible (for mixing music mainly). 

I'm thinking you should invest into a device (internal sound card or external DAC/Amp) that comes with all in one DAC, head amp and analog line-out, to replace the ESI 24XL.
So plug the HD600s into this headphone amp and run the line-out to the MX2004A.
Maybe something like the AudioEngine D1 external DAC & amp. ($175).
(I'm not sure how well the D1 drives 300-Ohm headphones, but I would assume (guess) it can).
 
And you make some cash selling off the ESI 24XL.
 
Jun 25, 2013 at 1:02 AM Post #6 of 7
That's interesting, thanks for your replies! :) However, I must stress that it's not really a DAC I'm mainly after at this point, I might be looking at getting one in the future, but the important thing is the clarity of the signal coming from the synths, through the mixer and into the headphones. Will connecting the Schiit Asgard to the mixer diminish the audio signal, or will it have little to no effect? I just need to understand whether having a mixer in between has anything to say, and if so, what specifications in the mixer will determine the quality of the signal ending up in the headphones. :)
 
Thanks a lot for your replies so far! :)
 
Jun 25, 2013 at 8:41 AM Post #7 of 7
Your mixer seems pretty well designed already, so it may not make much of a difference. Make sure whoever you buy an amp from has a good return policy, and give it a try. 
 

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