[iamwill]

Hi all,
 
I'm buying my first pair of headphones to be used solely for monitoring/referencing purposes. I've been researching this for a while and have arrived at a dilemma. I record and mix so searched for a reasonable headphone known for the flattest/most honest response possible within a price range of up to $400 and I came up with the Beyer DT880s being the cans I was most likely to part with my cash for.
I'm sure you all know about the sonic qualities of the current 32, 250 and 600Ohm variants of the 880 either by hearing first hand or reading about them. Before pulling the trigger on a pair of the 600Ohm Beyers I decided to read a little about the amplifier requirements... I may be lucky I did. As much as I've learned in the last couple days about impedance matching, damping factors, the difference between voltage and current, voltage swing and the importance of the sensitivity/efficiency of the cans, I'm still at a crossroads.
I recall reading from a few different sources that the Beyer cans, particularly the higher 600Ohms are suited only to being driven from high output impedance amps (>100Ohms). This is mainly where I felt my plan fall apart as the only detail I know of the (SS) headphone amp inside my Metric Halo 2882 is that it has a output impedance of <1Ohm. This, together with the fact that the 880's have what I think is a relatively low sensitivity, meaning they require more power to be driven 'as loud', has me wondering if I should be looking at other options. The question is whether the amp will have sufficient power/voltage to be able to drive them efficiently and to suitably loud levels? Unfortunately for some reason the headphone output specs aren't detailed anywhere in MH's documentation so I wonder if a little guessing work from some knowledgeable heads may be useful here.
 
I've seen many equuations over the last couple days but don't think there is anything that can help given my lack of info on the headphone amp.

Can anyone give an experienced opinion as to how I may fair pairing these cans with my 2882?
 
Keenly watching this space.
Cheers

 

[stv014]

High impedance headphones do not really require a high output impedance source, it is more like they are well usable with such sources, too, in addition to low impedance ones. From a technical point of view, a low impedance source is the best, because it allows the best control over the drivers.
 

 

[stv014]

I do not know the maximum voltage the 2882 can output, but according to a forum post elsewhere the ULN-2 is capable of +/- 16V, which is more than enough. This information may or may not be correct, and it may or may not apply to the 2882 as well. Another post says that the 2882 can drive the DT770 (unspecified impedance, but I would guess it is not the 32 Ohm one) and HD600 well.
 

 

[Dubstep Girl]

edit: nvm

 

[hodgjy]

From my experience, the higher impedance Beyers pair very nicely with OTL tube amps.  I have the Woo 3, and it makes Beyers sing.

 

[iamwill]

Quote:

I do not know the maximum voltage the 2882 can output, but according to a forum post elsewhere the ULN-2 is capable of +/- 16V, which is more than enough. This information may or may not be correct, and it may or may not apply to the 2882 as well. Another post says that the 2882 can drive the DT770 (unspecified impedance, but I would guess it is not the 32 Ohm one) and HD600 well.
 

Thanks stv. I found that GS thread also. It was the only place I could find some info about the headphone amps in these devices. As you noted, I can only assume the 2882 is similar. I am contacting Metric Halo about this at the moment and hopefully have some info soon. The other advice you have is somewhat reassuring.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Quote:

From my experience, the higher impedance Beyers pair very nicely with OTL tube amps.  I have the Woo 3, and it makes Beyers sing.

+1

 

[iamwill]

Quote:

From my experience, the higher impedance Beyers pair very nicely with OTL tube amps.  I have the Woo 3, and it makes Beyers sing.

 
OT but thanks.
 
Turns out Metric Halo don't know the power output of the amp! But will get back to me in the future.
 
Any other opinions out there?

 

[stv014]

If you already have the 2882, it would be simplest to just measure it, if you have a multimeter.
 

 

[iamwill]

Quote:

If you already have the 2882, it would be simplest to just measure it, if you have a multimeter.
 

Hey! This is just what i was thinking. I've been reading the "DT880 600ohm BS" thread but was just about to look into how to do this.
 
Thanks. I'll report back.