Amped and unamped - really is a night and day difference

[Mindless]

Since I bought my Corda Opera and got my headphones, I've played music pretty much exclusively out of my Ikemi or through the Opera DAC, but for some reason, I though it might be fun to plug the Grados into my Audigy 2 ZS to see what the sound would be like in comparison.

While I realize the onboard DAC on the Audigy is somewhat outdated and bad when compared to the Opera DAC, I can still hear the lack of effects from the amplifier.

Drums sound thin and lack impact, well, pretty much the whole lower-end lacks resolution and overall depth, but as I said, most importantly, it lacks impact. Guitars have lost that crispness that they had all this time when using the amplifier. I'm getting some sibilance out of my cans too which I've never experienced when using the Opera and vocals sound muddy and distant. Overall, not a very pleasant sound at all.

Honestly, I am shocked about the differences. Looking back, I thought the differences between amped and unamped were minute at best. Now however, it's such a night and day difference.

So, what are your experiences when doing similar things? Has it been a night and day difference for you too?

 

[Computerstud]

It really is a night and day difference.

When I first started getting into headphones, I read all the comments and thought to myself these guys are crazy.
My first rig was an Creative Audigy ZS notebook, HD595, IM716 and felt that nothing could get better than what I have. Boy was I wrong!

I decided to hear for myself what all the fuzz was about with AMPs, DAC, etc.... Got myself a pair of K701 and the corda Move. Wow, everything playing out of the Move sounded better across the spectrum vs the Audigy.

Placed an order for the Xin Reference, D5000, and looking for a transportable DAC that won't get me arrested at airport security

.

I would like to get my hands on the Opera but I travel quite a bit hence my needs for portability.

 

[Happy Camper]

Even the Etys sound better through an amp. Convenience has me grabbing my ipod and hps only. I had been considering sending my macro 4 back to Xin to get upgraded. I put it in the chain last week to get the feel of the sound before sending and wow. So much more body and impact. I hate to send it back now.

The 701s and home amp is a must stay. This has become my sole music entertainment. The only time my HT is on is for movies or sports.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindless /img/forum/go_quote.gif Since I bought my Corda Opera and got my headphones, I've played music pretty much exclusively out of my Ikemi or through the Opera DAC, but for some reason, I though it might be fun to plug the Grados into my Audigy 2 ZS to see what the sound would be like in comparison. While I realize the onboard DAC on the Audigy is somewhat outdated and bad when compared to the Opera DAC, I can still hear the lack of effects from the amplifier. Drums sound thin and lack impact, well, pretty much the whole lower-end lacks resolution and overall depth, but as I said, most importantly, it lacks impact. Guitars have lost that crispness that they had all this time when using the amplifier. I'm getting some sibilance out of my cans too which I've never experienced when using the Opera and vocals sound muddy and distant. Overall, not a very pleasant sound at all. Honestly, I am shocked about the differences. Looking back, I thought the differences between amped and unamped were minute at best. Now however, it's such a night and day difference. So, what are your experiences when doing similar things? Has it been a night and day difference for you too?

Yes.. But for over 2,000 I expected my set up to blow away listening through my headphones out of my computers jack.. The difference is very noticeable, but not night & day like I expected. I guess 2 plus grand doesn't go very fair in audio..

 

[will-san]

I think night and day is a stretch. I was actually a little disappointed. I was expecting a night and difference. I grabbed a Corda Move for my Grado's and it makes an audible difference but it's subtle. I think what I was really expecting was soundstage, I read a bunch of reviews and they all talked about soundstage, but it still sounds like it is my head. Bass is better, midrage is better treble is cleaner, but there is still no soundstage to speak of. I was hoping the crossfeed would blow my mind, and really not so much.

I think some of the enthusiasm in the threads here get peoples expectations up a little higher than they should be. I am not saying the emperor is naked, but night and day seems like it might give some folks the wrong idea.

 

[Kernmac]

Night and day is a big call in anything audio, however I think you will find there is a considerable difference between the DAC of an Opera and the DAC of a Move. The sound from an Opera DAC will be a lot better than the sound from a computer sound card and you simply can't expect a Move to compete.