Best amp and DAC for Audio Technica AD2000?
Sep 27, 2012 at 8:33 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 22

SmettMark

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I've heard some interesting things about the AD2000. People say that they are one of the best heasphones in the world when matced with the right amp and DAC. It is also said to have one of the best mid presentations out there, and Im looking for a headphone with really good mids. What amp and DAC would be the best match with it and make it a spectacular headphone? I listen mainly to rock, metal, and alternative, I also plan on using it for gaming. Do you think it's a good choice for me?
 
Sep 27, 2012 at 9:47 PM Post #2 of 22
Quote:
I've heard some interesting things about the AD2000. People say that they are one of the best heasphones in the world when matced with the right amp and DAC. It is also said to have one of the best mid presentations out there, and Im looking for a headphone with really good mids. What amp and DAC would be the best match with it and make it a spectacular headphone? I listen mainly to rock, metal, and alternative, I also plan on using it for gaming. Do you think it's a good choice for me?

The Denon AH-D2000 is a low 25-Ohm headphone, so it would be preferred to get an amplifier with an impedance (resistance, measured in Ohms) or around 3 to 4 Ohms or less.
Sound cards come with at least a 10-ohm or higher impedance.
As your gaming, get an Xonar DX or D1 sound card (used $50) or a Creative Titanium (non-HD) sound card (refurb, $40-$50).
Then get an external DAC with an optical input and a low impedance headphone output.
 
Sep 27, 2012 at 10:02 PM Post #3 of 22
Quote:
The Denon AH-D2000 is a low 25-Ohm headphone, so it would be preferred to get an amplifier with an impedance (resistance, measured in Ohms) or around 3 to 4 Ohms or less.
Sound cards come with at least a 10-ohm or higher impedance.
As your gaming, get an Xonar DX or D1 sound card (used $50) or a Creative Titanium (non-HD) sound card (refurb, $40-$50).
Then get an external DAC with an optical input and a low impedance headphone output.

I'm talking about the audio technica AD2000
 
Sep 27, 2012 at 10:53 PM Post #4 of 22
Quote:
I'm talking about the Audio Technica AD2000

Oops, I need to wear my reading glass more often.
As the Audio Technica ATH-AD2000 are only 40-Ohm, getting an external DAC with a low ohm headphone output still sounds like a good idea.
 
Sep 27, 2012 at 11:03 PM Post #5 of 22
A GLite or dynalo would drive it pretty nicely. And it does do pretty well for gaming. What are you looking to spend?
 
Sep 28, 2012 at 3:40 PM Post #8 of 22
If your willing to pay that.  
 
I know for sure that the M^3 works great with it.  I have a balanced M^3 I love the pair - the M^3 really make the mids very lush on the AD2Ks.  Still I wouldn't call them the best.
 
Sep 28, 2012 at 3:44 PM Post #9 of 22
i use the V200 and it sounds great with the AD2k. I don't think the AD2k are really that picky with amps since everything I've tried it with so far has sounded very good.
 
Sep 28, 2012 at 3:46 PM Post #10 of 22
Quote:
i use the V200 and it sounds great with the AD2k. I don't think the AD2k are really that picky with amps since everything I've tried it with so far has sounded very good.

 
 
Well, the V200 for what I hear on the darker side of the SS amps.  So is the M^3 so that would make perfect sense.  However, The AD2Ks can be a little picky.  They did not sound the same on the BHA-1 a brighter amp.
 
Sep 28, 2012 at 7:52 PM Post #11 of 22
Quote:
 
 
Well, the V200 for what I hear on the darker side of the SS amps.  So is the M^3 so that would make perfect sense.  However, The AD2Ks can be a little picky.  They did not sound the same on the BHA-1 a brighter amp.

Is the AD2000 as good or better than the HE500 if I pair it with the V200 or M^3, or does the HE500 still win?
 
Sep 28, 2012 at 8:01 PM Post #12 of 22
Quote:
Is the AD2000 as good or better than the HE500 if I pair it with the V200 or M^3, or does the HE500 still win?

 
 
I don't have the HE-500s "YET"
wink_face.gif

 
I plan to pretty soon.  So right now I can't comment on them.
 
Sep 28, 2012 at 8:11 PM Post #13 of 22
Quote:
 
 
I don't have the HE-500s "YET"
wink_face.gif

 
I plan to pretty soon.  So right now I can't comment on them.

oh ok
 
but I see you have some pretty high end stuff like. Could you make two comparisons for me please?
 
AD2000 with M^3 vs HD800/T1/LCD-2 (I just want to know if there's a BIG difference the AD2000 and high-fi cans)
 
-AD2000 with M^3 vs SRH1840 with M^3 as well
 
thanks :wink:
 
Sep 28, 2012 at 9:36 PM Post #14 of 22
The AD2Ks are Hi Fi Cans.  They're not 1K and above cans.  They can't compete with the HE-6, LCD-3s or the HD800's.  They give the T1 a run, better than the 1840s.  Might be on the same line as the HE-500s I don't know.
 
Sep 28, 2012 at 9:47 PM Post #15 of 22
Quote:
The AD2Ks are Hi Fi Cans.  They're not 1K and above cans.  They can't compete with the HE-6, LCD-3s or the HD800's.  They give the T1 a run, better than the 1840s.  Might be on the same line as the HE-500s I don't know.

Do you think they will be good for rock and metal? I would also like to know if they come with a carrying case like the other hifi models from audio technica. Thanks for all your help :wink:
 

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