[Yukon Trooper]

Do you guys think the Prelude or XtremeMusic with LM4562 op amps and Black Gate capacitor would be able to drive the HD650's OK or would I see major benefits using an external amp?

 

[Kryogen]

I think you really need an amp to get the full potential out of a pair of quality headphones.

Plugging my Grados SR-125 directly to my revo 7.1 gives me below average sound at best. Feels muted, underpowered...

Using my NAD C320bee amp, the sound is really great.

Just my opinion.

 

[Him]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryogen /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think you really need an amp to get the full potential out of a pair of quality headphones. Plugging my Grados SR-125 directly to my revo 7.1 gives me below average sound at best. Feels muted, underpowered... Using my NAD C320bee amp, the sound is really great. Just my opinion.

The X-Fi Prelude does have hot outputs (5V) like the X-Meridian, though. Not sure if that'd be enough for HD650's, though?

 

[goldenslug]

Its not the hot outputs that make the difference. Its the size and quantity of caps on the card that will determine if you need amplification. It will improve with amplification as the largest cap on the Prelude is 470uF (rail to rail), not rail to GND. I think if you could mod the Rail to GND caps to a larger value it would sound better, but that's just a theory.