[de Baron]

Good day,

I am planning to by a K 701 wich needs a good amp to unlock it's greatness. I am looking for an 'all in 1 solution' headphoneamp/dac/soundcard wich I will use for playback as well as recording. It has to use a USB or Firewire connection because I will connect it to a laptop. Will the headphoneamp in a system like the E-MU Tracker Pre(wich has a so called 'Professional headphoneamp') be comparable to a standalone amp/dac? Or should I buy a standalone amp to enjoy the full potential of the K 701? Budget: $250


Specs Headphone Amplifier E-MU:

Type: Class-A power amplifier
D/A converter: CS4392 (shared with Line Out)
Gain Range: 60dB
Maximum Output Power: 22mW
Output Impedance: 22ohms
Frequency Response (20Hz-20kHz): +0.02/-0.07dB
Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 112dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 112dB
THD+N (1kHz, max gain): 300ohm load: -99dB (.0011%)
Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS, 300 ohm load): <-90dB

 

[FallenAngel]

With a budget like that you're hardly looking for "best" or anywhere in the vicinity.

The fact that you will be doing recording as well tosses out most equipment marketed towards audiophiles and are entering "pro audio" realm. In this case, I would say get the EMU 0404 USB and be done with it.

When you want something better for playback, look for something specifically for this purpose.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I don't think the K-701 would respond well with 22mW. Look for something with 500mW or better - these are very power hungry headphones. I can't think of anything for $250 or less, not even DIY. Are there other headphones you'd consider?

 

[FallenAngel]

CKK-III would drive them, and that's around the $200-$250 mark used (for quality build). It's just an amp though, no DAC, no ADC (for recording), just amp for playback.

 

[compuryan]

Get something separate for recording purposes, that'll give you many many more options of dacs, amps, and dac/amp combos to choose from to listen to music through. You'll get the best sound for your money that way.

 

[theBigD]

I use a go-vibe v5s with 24volt elpac and they are driven wonderfully. You do need something besides a sound card. And the go-vibe with just a 9volt batt. is not enough.

 

[aryastark90]

would a zero dac and a little dot mk v be a good match for the akg k701?

 

[tintin47]

It would probably do a pretty decent job, as it will be putting out ~400mW at 60 ohms, but I have never read anything about good synergy. I have heard great things about the shanling PH100 which is just $220 on ebay. Supposed to have great synergy and more than enough current. Cheaper than the LD too, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[kingcrib]

I am also interested in the Shanling PH100. I have never seen any specs however. Does anyone know how many milliwatts this amp can put out? I want to drive my Beyerdynamic DT880 250 ohms. Any other competing solid state amps in that price range? I would like to stick to Class A discrete. No op amps.

 

[Happy Camper]

Guys,
The best you can do in the range you choose are mostly Chinese amps. The Little Dot and Darkvoice have product in your price.

If you want an amp that will make use of the capabilities of the 701, you'll need to double your budget to get a capable amp. If you want something that makes them comparable to it's peers, you'll have to add another level to your degree.

 

[hoodlum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingcrib /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am also interested in the Shanling PH100. I have never seen any specs however. Does anyone know how many milliwatts this amp can put out? I want to drive my Beyerdynamic DT880 250 ohms. Any other competing solid state amps in that price range? I would like to stick to Class A discrete. No op amps.

Here are the spec from my user manual:

16 ohms - 2400mW
32 ohms - 1200mW
64 ohms - 600mW
300 ohms - 130mW
600 ohms - 65mW

 

[kingcrib]

Thanks hoodlum. What do you think of the PH100? Is there power to spare driving your AKG K701? Like the sound?

 

[Redcarmoose]

I hear in the studios there taking old Crate tube guitar heads and making them into headphones amps with the drive and headroom for the k701s.

 

[scootermafia]

I just tested out my dad's K701s that I got him on my M3 with sigma-11 power supply and OPA627/637 op amp setup. It had incredible detail and vibrance, and quite a fair amount of bass. This is quite a powerful amp though. When I tried it just plugged into a small amp (I got him a Creek OBH-11 to get him started) the sound was a bit flimsier, but still a marked improvement over iPod headphone port although that isn't saying much. I would argue it is harder to drive these than HD650s, it really is. High current solid state is the key - my dad said that the HD650s had a richer, deeper sound which I agreed, but the detail on the K701s is really terrifying. I would empty out your bank account in the name of K701s as you may as well not own them without a real amp - just because they retail for $220 street doesn't mean they don't demand the best.

So, the M3 is a good match...but you'd want to use darker, more refined op amps like the burr browns to make the most of its detail without exploiting the fact that these are very bright, light, and airy sounding headphones that may not sound to your liking in the wrong configuration.

 

[Alai]

My Zero is doing fine with the K701, but I am in the process of obtaining of Heed right now.

My Zero has LT1364 for amp and Earth HDAM for DAC. Bass is still a little lacking though.