Okay, I realize that the output on the M-Stage is to use it as a pre-amp...

Hi.  I'm setting up my new Audioengine P4s with an N22 amp.  A turntable and laptop are my two audio sources.  I have a DAC from the laptop and the turntable both running into a headphone amp.  My question is how to integrate the speakers and n22 amp into the system without degrading sound...

Okay, so another question -and this prompted my original (seemingly incorrect) line of thinking.  If a headphone amp cannot power passive speakers, why is there an RCA output on the M Stage?  

Okay I've done some more reading and it seems the answer to my question is hell no you can't power passive speakers with a headphone amp.  Oh well.  I guess I'll have to buy another amp.  

I'm very new to this, such that I'm not even sure if headphone amps can or should power passive speakers.  If I have the P4s, can I run the M-stage into them?  I know Audioengine makes an amp that is meant to be used with P4s, but since I already have the M-Stage, I thought I would try this if...

Is there a benefit to high impedance headphones with an amp over easy to drive headphones without (or with something like the E7?).  A good amp is obviously an added cost, and I'm wondering what the overall benefit is vs. just being able to use a specific set of headphones that one particularly...

What about the Calyx Coffee for q701?  I've only found one review comparison, and it discussed the k702, and it described it as "not unlistenable," which seems bad but also confusing.

I just got the q701 (hasn't arrived yet) and have read it should be paired with a good amp.  My primary listening source is a laptop.  Primary genre is classic rock.  I know next to nothing about amps/DACs, and I want to spend $200 or less, so I was thinking I would play it safe and get the...

I've been testing it with an iPod (with a line-out cable) and the static is still there.

Yeah, it's just headphones plugged in. I actually don't have speakers to test it with. As for the electronic noise, isn't the whole purpose of a DAC to eliminate that, not amplify it?

I got an E7 used on Amazon.  I've never used an amp or DAC before, so I'm not sure what to expect.  When plugged into a laptop usb port, it seems to work and the sound seems to be improved, but there is static present at all times (when sound is and isn't playing).  Is this in any way normal?  I...

Why is it bad with rock? What type of rock?

I see the q701 comes in three colors.  The lime color is cheaper on Amazon and I actually kind of like the look of it.  Is it any different than the other two?  I notice Amazon labels the lime "signature reference class" while the other two are labeled "signature reference class premium."  Is...

I've narrowed my choice down to the hd598 or the q701.  I have only a fiio e7 which (I'm pretty sure) won't drive the q701, but I am comfortable getting a better amp later as the headphone choice takes precedence for me.  I'm looking at an $80 price difference on Amazon, so I have to take that...

For anyone who owns this or knows how it might be constructed...The manual shows that the cleaning tool can be used on both the tip and the nozzle.  However, seeing as it is a sharp metal tool, I'm worried about putting it anywhere near potentially important parts of the headphones.  Is it...