[Sad Panda]

I've been looking for an appropriate amp for my newly acquired AKG 7XX. I'll be pairing it up with a x-fi titanium fatal1ty sound card so I believe I won't need a dac as I'll be needing the 3d surround from the sound card. Whats the best value I can get from an amp? Preferably one that is under $50?
 
I'm willing to go higher for a portable amp/dac combo that works with android phones and google music streaming but I've yet to see one like that.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I've been looking for an appropriate amp for my newly acquired AKG 7XX. I'll be pairing it up with a X-fi titanium fatal1ty sound card so I believe I won't need a dac as I'll be needing the 3d surround from the sound card. Whats the best value I can get from an amp? Preferably one that is under $50?
I'm willing to go higher for a portable amp/dac combo that works with android phones and Google music streaming but I've yet to see one like that.

 
$50 is really getting too low to get something worth while.
The FiiO E11K is $60 (works with the Falal1ty and phones)
Generic tube headphone amplifiers sell on eBay from around $60 - $130.
Schiit is selling the Magni for $79.
 
Maybe replace the X-Fi Fatal1ty with a Sound Blaster Z?

 

[billybob_jcv]

You could try a CMoy amp in a tin from eBay. Of course, unless you buy some rechargeable 9v batteries and a charger, you'll spend another $50 in batteries in the first year. The Fiio E11K would be more cost effective in the long-run.

 

[Sad Panda]

   
$50 is really getting too low to get something worth while.
The FiiO E11K is $60 (works with the Falal1ty and phones)
Generic tube headphone amplifiers sell on eBay from around $60 - $130.
Schiit is selling the Magni for $79.
 
Maybe replace the X-Fi Fatal1ty with a Sound Blaster Z?

From what I've read, it seems the older X-Fi series has better 3d audio so I think I'll keep my card for awhile longer. Is there really no amp for lower than $50? I recall seeing one by the name of topping go for around 35ish on Amazon but I was hopping for more options.

 

[cel4145]

Yes. The Topping NX1.

As a K612 Pro owner, I'd recommend saving your money for the Magni that is on closeout. The K6/7 series of open headphones really does like a more powerful amp than a lot of headphones. At the very least, I would skip the NX1 and wait until you can afford the E11K. You can use it with your phone, too.

 

[Sad Panda]

Yes. The Topping NX1.

As a K612 Pro owner, I'd recommend saving your money for the Magni that is on closeout. The K6/7 series of open headphones really does like a more powerful amp than a lot of headphones. At the very least, I would skip the NX1 and wait until you can afford the E11K. You can use it with your phone, too.

I would really prefer not to overspend too much on an amp. Spending nearly 50% of the cost of a headphone for an amp makes me leery. What makes the 7XX need a more powerful amp? Their impedance was not that high if I recall the box stats correctly.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I would really prefer not to overspend too much on an amp. Spending nearly 50% of the cost of a headphone for an amp makes me leery. What makes the 7XX need a more powerful amp? Their impedance was not that high if I recall the box stats correctly.

 
AKG headphones seem to like a little more power to work well, then their low impedance (62-Ohm) number would have you think.
A 62-Ohm AKG headphone has about the same need for power as a 250-Ohm Beyerdynamic headphone.
It's really cheap to make an amplifier with a lot of power, but it's how that power is delivered that makes more of the difference.
and it' costs to deliver power in a constructive fashion.

 

[Za Warudo]

I would be hesitant to get the E11k, the X3 has more power and it made my Q701 sound like crap.

 

[Sad Panda]

   
AKG headphones seem to like a little more power to work well, then their low impedance (62-Ohm) number would have you think.
A 62-Ohm AKG headphone has about the same need for power as a 250-Ohm Beyerdynamic headphone.
It's really cheap to make an amplifier with a lot of power, but it's how that power is delivered that makes more of the difference.
and it' costs to deliver power in a constructive fashion.

Fair enough. I guess I'll look at higher priced stuff. I think if I'm spending more I'd like to be able to use the amp with both my phone and computer. Is there anything like that with a reasonable cost?

  I would be hesitant to get the E11k, the X3 has more power and it made my Q701 sound like crap.

Worse than no amp at all?

 

[cel4145]

I would be hesitant to get the E11k, the X3 has more power and it made my Q701 sound like crap.

Just to clarify, the AKG's like voltage. The E11K is rated 8.67 Vp-p. The X3, 8 Vp-p. So a bit (not much) more powerful than the X3.

 

[cel4145]

Worse than no amp at all?

The E11K will definitely sound better than no amp compared to a phone, tablet, or computer with basic motherboard audio.

 

[Za Warudo]

  Fair enough. I guess I'll look at higher priced stuff. I think if I'm spending more I'd like to be able to use the amp with both my phone and computer. Is there anything like that with a reasonable cost?

Worse than no amp at all?

I don't remember using it out of my laptop's headphone jack, but it couldn't have been much worse.  For a portable amp I would look into the E12 (bad with more sensitive headphones), or the Cayin C5 (more expensive but better sounding and works well with sensitive headphones).

 

[Sad Panda]

  I don't remember using it out of my laptop's headphone jack, but it couldn't have been much worse.  For a portable amp I would look into the E12 (bad with more sensitive headphones), or the Cayin C5 (more expensive but better sounding and works well with sensitive headphones).

Dang, $165 for the c5... Hmm I guess I'm going to just hold off for now. Maybe I'll consider a magni...

 

[Mr Rick]

I'll throw my $.02 in here. I just got a pair of 712 Pros and paired them with the Schiit Vali I happened to be using with my HD598s.  I just ran two hours from my "Amp./ Headphone Test Tracks" playlist through them and they seemed to excel at everything from Yo Yo Ma to Judas Priest. And the little Vali never even broke a sweat.  For $120.00 I think it is a hidden gem.

 

[billybob_jcv]

AKG K7XX: 105 dB/V @ 62 Ohms = 92.9 dB/mW
Beyerdynamic DT880-250 = 96 dB/mW

With the same power going into both headphones, the 250 Ohm Beyerdynamic will actually be LOUDER than the AKG K7XX. Surprising, right?