[jdpark]

I've read that the O2 dac/amp and the Schiit Modi/Vali combos are fine for music and gaming. The problem with some hybrid tube amps is that the dynamics are bit toned down in favor of a smoother sound, which a lot of people like with headphones. For gaming (I assume) you want really good dynamics and transients, which will give you more realistic guns and bombs, etc.  For that, solid state amps in the sub 500 range tend to be pretty good. Over that amount, with tubes as well, you're getting into mid-fi territory, and you may find a tube amp that's perfect for everything. However, I think overall solid state amps are best for dynamics. 
 
Also, don't forget that your source will play a huge role, and the better the dac the better the sound, period. You probably want good sound-stage with games (as with complex music) and so a good dac with a decently transparent amp will go far to bringing you that realistic sound you want with movies/games. 

 

[meowmix4jo]

I have an Aune T1, around same price range being mentioned. It's hybrid/DAC, but nice thing about it is you can use it as pure solid state by using the line in, hybrid by using the DAC+SS, or as a DAC+tube preamp by using the line out. Really liked it with the 990s for the little time I had with them. I've only used it with Grados and Sennheisers before but it opened up the soundstage much more on the 990s than the Grados or Senns. Didn't have enough time to take note of all the nuances though.
 
On that note, if anyone has broken 250 ohms or old ones they'd part with for cheap or trade hit me up because I fried a voice coil wire on one of the drivers while recabling them about two hours after I got them, which I do to all my headphones.

 

[yezz12]

  I have an Aune T1, around same price range being mentioned. It's hybrid/DAC, but nice thing about it is you can use it as pure solid state by using the line in, hybrid by using the DAC+SS, or as a DAC+tube preamp by using the line out. Really liked it with the 990s for the little time I had with them. I've only used it with Grados and Sennheisers before but it opened up the soundstage much more on the 990s than the Grados or Senns. Didn't have enough time to take note of all the nuances though.
 
On that note, if anyone has broken 250 ohms or old ones they'd part with for cheap or trade hit me up because I fried a voice coil wire on one of the drivers while recabling them about two hours after I got them, which I do to all my headphones.

The problem is, it's USB. It will bypass my sound card and anything gaming related

 

[yezz12]

  If you like the sound out of your dt990 then get a O2 dac and amp  http://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/o2-odac-combo/
Nice clean amp that sounds great with multiple headphones.

The O2 amp alone looks neat on its own, but just outside my price range.
It's not usb, right? Need to use it iwth my sound card.

 

[Nympho]

You really dont need a sound card but now that you do have one, just go for a used schiit magni and modi combo or a used o2 amp and dac. Make sure you get the magni and modi not as a USB if you go with that.

 

[meowmix4jo]

The problem is, it's USB. It will bypass my sound card and anything gaming related

It's not USB only, like I said you can use the line in and use it as a solid state. Which is also good since I agree with the earlier posts that tube is not the best for gaming. That's how I use it, the tube for music and solid state for almost everything else.

 

[zanox]

.

 

[WhiskeyJacks]

 
The O2 amp alone looks neat on its own, but just outside my price range.
It's not usb, right? Need to use it iwth my sound card

If you already have dac chip with your sound card and do not need the odac section, I mean you can get a used O2 for like 90-110$ that is definitely one of the best bangs for your buck, but using the DT990s I prefered the Schiit Vali, Hell the Vahalla may sound awesome with it but that is more expensive. I would find a used Vali(80-100$) which is very lifelike feeling, slightly warm, detailed, with good staging. I highly recommend this pairing with DT990s

 

[razor5cl]

If you already have dac chip with your sound card

Well, it'd be a pretty crap sound card if it didn't have a DAC onboard.

 

[axeltow]

Hey guys,
 
I just yday bought an Audio gd NFB 5.32 DAC and I am really thinking of getting the DT990 Pro as the price is quite good here: 175 USD. I was wondering if anyone has had similar setups and wanted to share some feedback on the NFB 5.32 + DT990 Pro combo?
 
Cheers in advance.

 

[TsukiNick]

Magni has soundstage issues? When in doubt throw something immeasurable the mix. No one can disprove or approve of that objectively. I bet an ABX test would make things harder but that would be to hard on the amps

Whats with the DT990s being so pricey now I bought them a year back or so at 149.99

 

[axeltow]

To be honest 175 USD is a really good price where I am. Other shops sell it for even more.

 

[yezz12]

I saved up €200 for dac/amp combo. Will be using it with my DT990 250ohm and my speakers (Edifier R1600T). So speaker support is appreciated. Also, i need portability in a sense that i put my dac/amp in my suitcase and not worry about anything (tubes?) breaking.
 
Currently looking at:
Audioengine D1 (current favourite)
O2+ODAC
Aune T1

 

[zanox]

Bought the DT 990 pros recently. I'm driving them with my phone( getting an amp/dac soon). They are quite loud out of my phone. Initially, they were quite warm, bassy(loose bass) and slow. Also, the highs were tamed by the loose bass. After 20 hours burn in, the bass has become tighter but the highs have become sharp and more noticable. While people complained about their dt 990's sounding shrill out of the box and then taming later. mine was opposite. Is this normal? 

 

[axeltow]

I am thinking of getting the 990, but a friend from head fi told me that the highs are quite sharp in these headphones and that is a no go for him.
I haven't heard them so I can't really tell. Maybe when you get a dedicated amp things might be different.