Amp or Portable headphones?

[J Tran]

Hi! I have a hard decision to make.

Should I buy an amp or a pair of Portable headphones?

I just recently bought a D-NE20 from a member here and I am currently using the HD-580s.

The HD-580s basically MUST be amped from what I've heard, so I was thinking about an amp ( Something cheap under 100).

But then I also though about a portable set of headphones. Maybe the PX-100/200 or AKG K81 (can't seem to find a good price for the AKGs.)

I've owned a pair of PX-200s before, didn't think they were bad with my Mini.

I have NEVER used an amp before. Should I get a first hand look?

I won't be working out or running. But carrying around my 580s... doesn't sound so smart. Size don't matter though, since I 'upgraded' from a Mini to a PCDP anyways.

So what should I do? Amp or portable headphones? Thanks a lot.

 

[sidewinder]

An amp on the road is kinda useless if your portable player is already quite good and has enough power to drive the headphones. I would get the PX100 for on the road, cause it's smaller, and leave the HD580 at home and perhaps buy a cheap amp to drive it efficiently.

I own the KSC75 (the equivalent to the PX100) and Shure E1, and on the road I'm driving them through my Sony D465. No amp is required. A lot of the talk around amps is that they bring out a whole new world, but that's just nonsense imo. An amp on the road is overkill, unless you are having a superduper crap headphone out, but a magically good line out. A nice HD/CD player with effecient power and decent headphone out is all you need to get along with your headphones, especially with the KSC75 or PX100. And above all, your D-NE20 seems so be a high-end Sony PCDP. HD580 is another story, cause of the high impedance. If you hear clipping/distortion or just don't have the adequate volume, then you'll do good to buy yourself an amp. DIY is the cheapest thing, or you can go for the GoVibe 5, which retails for $75 and delivers about the same SQ to more expensive portable amps.

 

[lumanogin]

It depends on your source. I don't know if that PCDP is enough to justify driving it through a line out and having to carry an amp and those giant senns.

I had an 18 hour flight a few months ago and took along a D-303, a portable amp, and my HD580, along with a cd wallet. Sure it sounded great, but even just sitting on the plane it was a real hassle. I can't imagine toting that on my commutes. Or even an ipod and an amp.

Stick with a good portable and a decent DAP, leave the amp at home.

 

[jclinton46]

How often do you need portable phones? If it were me I would look for an amp to go with my 580's (Great cans but I feel an amp does help the SQ) and look for another set of headphones for portable use (without an amp). Koss KSC-75's are well regarded and cheap enough that you could probably swing them and an amp. I bought a pair last week at Radio Shack for about $12 last week.

 

[J Tran]

Wow, that really helps.

I think that yeah, I'm just gonna go with portable phones.

I guess when I'm commuting I don't think I need to carry around $400+ worth of gear. I don't think I'd be paying much attention on the commute either, more like background music.

Now that that's cleared up.

AKG DJ81
PX-100
Or... soemthing else?

AKG DJ81 looks tempting, but I can't seem to find a bargain anywhere. It's also hard to find... anywhere.

 

[jmb]

I have owned both the PX100s and the KSC75s for over two years and after all that time I have to say they sound very similar, but the KSC75s are just such a bargain you have to get them. The PX100s are just a little too expensive and laid back for portable use.

The KSC75s are much more upfront, but without being bright. They are just a great headphone and sound wonderful.

Honestly though...If you really want the PX100s, you can't go wrong. I love mine. It's just that the KSC75s will save you a good chunk of dough without compromising sound quality.

Finally...The KSC75's will not really benefit from an amp. So save your cash. I have gone the portable amp>full sized cans route and it sort of defeats the purpose of "portable" audio and the gains are minimal. Save your amps and high end cans for quiet, critical, and relaxing situations were you can really submerse yourself in the sound and enjoy the experience.

 

[supermoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Tran AKG DJ81 looks tempting, but I can't seem to find a bargain anywhere. It's also hard to find... anywhere.

The ONLY place I've seen the AKG K81DJs in Canada are at www.axemusic.com where they sell them for $79.92 CAD + $10 shipping + 6% tax for one.

 

[LuckyKarma]

The KSC75 is so cheap that I would say pick up a pair of them and order a Little Dot Micro+ from ebay. Now that I have my LDM+ and my new KSC75 burned it, they go very very well together, and it is the perfect portable setup, IMO.

 

[moonsurf]

Headroom (headphone.com) has AKG 81 DJ for 69.95 plus $7 shipping.
Very good headphones indeed.

 

[jmb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonsurf Headroom (headphone.com) has AKG 81 DJ for 69.95 plus $7 shipping. Very good headphones indeed.

Those are next on my list for headphones. Although I think that the cord is too long for on-the-go situations (8ft). I will probably just use them at home instead of toting them around. Wife keeps complaining about my HD555s leaking sound.

I am just about ready to pull the trigger on the iGrados. Seems promising as a portable headphone. I think there has been a slight backlash since it is such a departure from the traditional Grado design.