AKG 701's and Apogee Duet

[jayfield]

Having a bit of a dilemma. The Duet's phone output is 330Mv into 30 ohms. I've heard the 701's(62ohms) with a headphone amp and they sounded stellar. The Duet is not nearly doing them justice. Yes, I know one is not supposed to mix on phones, but at night with the family asleep, I often don't have the option to turn on the monitors. Option #1 is to sell the 701's and pick up some AKG 240's or perhaps a DT 770. Would these be more efficient? If not recommendations much appreciated. Option #2 Is to purchase a headphone amp. Ray Meirers informed me that a portable amp would not do the phones justice. My budget is 600 scoots, if I go the amp route. I'm new to headphone amps and there seems to be quite the selection out there. Hopefully at this price I could get something with little or no coloration to the Duet signal and very low noise. Very much appreciate any and all input.

 

[orkney]

The Duet, while a terrific DAC, has an HP out that is limited by its FireWire power draw and doesn't seem to work well with all phones. If the k701s provide, when driven appropriately, the sound you're after, then do a few searches here for an amp to pair with them and the Duet, which has a very lucid and clean presentation. It's a good idea IMO to find the cans you love and then the amp to drive them optimally and general consensus here seems to be that the 701s require a fair bit of driving.

Amps often recommended here for their neutrality and/or their prowesss with 701s include the Gilmore/HeadAmp designs, some Heed, Slee and HeadRoom models and several others which you'll uncover with a search or dedicated thread. If you're up for DIY (building or buying) then some of the newer hybrids might do the trick.

good luck and welcome to headfi!

o

 

[jayfield]

Thanks for the help. I will search for some amps. I have also been reading about the DT770's and the AKG 240's. They were reviewed in Sound on Sound magazine being used with the Duet. Are you familiar with them? Thanks, Jayeson