[AndrewZander]

Setup:

Aluminum iMac (Apple Lossless) -> Senn HD 580

I want to add an amp to the set up but only have about $150 to spend.

I don't mind used amps, that's probably preferred, actually.

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

I don't care about portability, though a portable amp is probably the only kind within my price range

Andrew

 

[Jaska]

For a real improvement, I honestly think the price of admission is $495 minimum (Apogee Duet). Simply adding an inexpensive amp between the computer's line/headphone output to the headphones isn't likely to make the HD 580 sound any better at all.

 

[ricmat]

out of your mac, sounds like you would also need some DAC... ...

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricmat /img/forum/go_quote.gif out of your mac, sounds like you would also need some DAC... ...

Exactly. No point in doing this unless a good "system" is set up. Options at ~$500 would include the Apogee Duet (already suggested) or the Pico.

 

[sdgserv]

The OP was looking at $150..
A Pimeta is what I used for my Senn 580's. Worked very well.
and within your price range
If you listen to these guys..they will have you selling your sister

I did

 

[Jaska]

The built-in headphone jacks on most Apple computers are pretty decent. I kept that in mind before I posted anything in this thread.

 

[AndrewZander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaska /img/forum/go_quote.gif The built-in headphone jacks on most Apple computers are pretty decent. I kept that in mind before I posted anything in this thread.

So, would that mean that the audio out on my iMac decent enough that I wouldn't need a lesser amp to adequately push the hd 580s?

Would I be better off just waiting until I can afford a better amp/dac, like the one you mentioned? ...that's assuming I could ever persuade my wife that dropping $500 on such a device is a good idea

Andrew

 

[sdgserv]

I got suggestion
$139 + ship. I am breaking one in right now. It drives my 650's easily.
for a few bucks you can buy adapters for your Mac

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rev...re-amp-269458/

 

[sejarzo]

I'd second the notion of a good "desktop" PIMETA with 24 VDC supply, which should be less than $150 if you keep a close eye on the Amps FS forum here.....if the output from the iMac isn't noisy, which seems to be an issue with many notebooks.

The 300 ohm Senns really need more voltage to drive them correctly on peaks than is available on many notebook PC outputs, if the ones I tried with my HD600's are any indication of what is typical.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sejarzo /img/forum/go_quote.gif if the output from the iMac isn't noisy, which seems to be an issue with many notebooks.

I'm not sure if you meant to say that an iMac is a notebook, but it isn't. The headphone output from the aluminum iMacs is very clean.

 

[ricmat]

LOL...


sell your sister?... I didn't notice anything odd in the FS lately... ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdgserv /img/forum/go_quote.gif The OP was looking at $150.. A Pimeta is what I used for my Senn 580's. Worked very well. and within your price range If you listen to these guys..they will have you selling your sister I did

 

[ricmat]

does your mac have an SPDIF out? because if so there is also another very decent option you could consider! the Beresford 7510!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdgserv /img/forum/go_quote.gif I got suggestion $139 + ship. I am breaking one in right now. It drives my 650's easily. for a few buck you can buy adapters for your Mac http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rev...re-amp-269458/

 

[ricmat]

There are no such thing! believe me!

You really will need an amp! and therefore, you will need a DAC...

my advice you should go straight to the DUET, or therwise you should go for a DAC with built in headamp, like the Beresford (135€) or Zero, and then save for some decent amp!

you will notice the difference!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewZander /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, would that mean that the audio out on my iMac decent enough that I wouldn't need a lesser amp to adequately push the hd 580s? Would I be better off just waiting until I can afford a better amp/dac, like the one you mentioned? ...that's assuming I could ever persuade my wife that dropping $500 on such a device is a good idea Andrew

 

[AndrewZander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricmat /img/forum/go_quote.gif does your mac have an SPDIF out? because if so there is also another very decent option you could consider! the Beresford 7510!

Yes, my iMac has SPDIF out.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewZander /img/forum/go_quote.gif assuming I could ever persuade my wife that dropping $500 on such a device is a good idea

I hope this doesn't get you into any trouble in paradise, but my wife LOVES my Duet

Actually, I'm not kidding. I even caught her using it once