advice on amp for sennheiser hd-595

[viet1001]

hi guys, I was wondering if you guys could give me advice on what amp to use with the Sennheiser HD-595. Currently I'm using my phones with my ipod, but I feel its not enough to drive the 120 ohm headphones. Would an amp really help? The volume isn't that loud on the ipod. any help would be appreciated.

 

[Tech2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by viet1001 hi guys, I was wondering if you guys could give me advice on what amp to use with the Sennheiser HD-595. Currently I'm using my phones with my ipod, but I feel its not enough to drive the 120 ohm headphones. Would an amp really help? The volume isn't that loud on the ipod. any help would be appreciated.

I found the same with my portable and my Senn 555s. You CAN use them without an amp, but that claim is misleading, IMO. You really have to crank up the volume and mine are the 50-ohm version. Your 120-ohm headphones are likely harder to drive.

I ended up getting a Portaphile V2 and the change was dramatic. Not necessarily louder (although it can go MUCH louder with the amp), but fuller.

There are many amps to choose from, in a wide price range. If you post your budget, the folks here will be better able to suggest an amp in your price range (though you'll likely get some suggestions urging you to spend more also

).

 

[viet1001]

hey Tech2, thanks for the reply. my budget would be anywhere from probably $100-$200, possibly up to $300 if it makes that much of a difference. I'm a bit strapped for cash at the moment so I'm not looking to spend too much. thanks again for the help.

 

[nikongod]

even a "base" cmoy will be an improvement.

for a moderate bit more money, and alot better sound i would reccomend the portacorda mk2, and a grado 1/8"-->1/4" floppy dongle. if you look there are a fiew of that amp in the forslale section now abot $120. that amp sounds paunticious. totally nefarious cool. in a word, it is nice.

spend the spare money on music, and run quickly. sorry about the wallet.

 

[viet1001]

hey nikon, thanks for the advice. what is a grado 1/8"-->1/4" floppy dongle though? sorry I'm a bit new at this stuff. thanks.

 

[Tech2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by viet1001 hey nikon, thanks for the advice. what is a grado 1/8"-->1/4" floppy dongle though? sorry I'm a bit new at this stuff. thanks.

This:

Which is available at Todd's for $15US.