The headphone amp is the FiiO E17. I actually haven't used it yet as it's currently in shipping, so I wouldn't be able to tell you much about my experience with it. I'm planning to use it with the Xonar via SPDIF, since my 5.1 speakers are occupying the line outs on the Xonar. I do also have...

Hi,   Just a question out of curiosity. I've heard a lot of people say that higher impedance headphones can't really be driven by unamplified sources, and that the volume would be very lacking etc. My DT770s and 880s (both 250 ohms) have no volume issues plugged into the front panel jack of my...

Just as a heads up, I bought the Focusrite 8i6 (I imagine it's similar to the 6i6) for use as an audio interface primarily but also as a headphone amp/DAC. I don't know if it's the headphone amp or the converters that are responsible, but the sound coming out of it is NOT good by any measure...

Thanks for the response! My concern with plugging anything into the front panel jack is that it seems to pick up a fair amount of noise from inside my computer case. When I plug my 880s directly into the front panel and turn up the volume, I get hiss. I'm assuming running an amp out of the front...

Hi,   I’m looking to buy a headphone amp and I need some advice please. I’m currently using DT880s (250ohm) and will soon be purchasing DT770s (250ohm). I would say about 90-95% of the time I’m listening at my desktop PC, but I would also use it with my laptop and iPod otherwise so portability...

Hi,   So I picked up a Scarlett 8i6 today to use primarily for recording music, but also to be used as a DAC/headphone amp for listening to music through my DT880 pros (250ohm).  I thought this would sound better than my current set-up, which is the DT880s plugged into a Xonar DX via the...

Quote: Thanks again for all the help.  I think I'm going to stick with the Xonar DX/E17 combo.  My last question is, if I'm using the optical out of the Xonar into the E17, and then listening through the E17 with headphones, is it the Xonar or the E17 that's doing the DAC work?

Quote:   Thanks for the response, PurpleAngel.  I think I see what you're onto, but I just want to confirm.  Basically, for PC use I would be switching between the two DACs depending on my needs.  So to force headphone surround or output to the 5.1 speakers, I would be using the Xonar...

Hi everyone,   I'm kind of new to the whole headphone scene, and I've been reading a lot of threads and trying out different options.  I've decided on a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pros (250 ohm), but I've got a bunch of questions regarding DACs and amps that hopefully someone can shed some...