[Snareman]

I currently use the Asus Xonar Essence ST soundcard set on high gain.

 

[DVDRey]

 
Quote:

I currently use the Asus Xonar Essence ST soundcard set on high gain.

 
I don't understand, you want a portable amp or an amp better than xonar ST? Because you ll never have better amp than ST with 70$.
 

 

[fabio-fi]

A $70 amp with the 650's wont help much. Save more, and buy a Crack bottlehead diy amp. 

 

[kingoftown1]

you could source the parts for an O2, but that's about it.

 

[oshia86]

Not gonna happen. Although I wouldn't say the ST is particularly good, I don't think there is much in the $200 range that is going to give you any bump in sound quality.

 

[Snareman]

Quote:

you could source the parts for an O2, but that's about it.

Sorry I don't understand what you mean?

 

[joelpearce]

The O2 is a low-cost do it yourself amp that sounds fantastic and drives just about any headphone with ease. In your price range or close to it, it's probably your best option.

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk

 

[Gwarmi]

 
 Get an Audio GD NFB12 - second hand - should be doable for about $120USD or so.
 
 DAC and amp in one swoop.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Single tube headphone amplifier, solid on eBay. ships from China, takes 10 days
Prices start at $45, better ones around $75
I hook my Muse EH 6922 (single tube) to the RCAs on my Essence STX.
Currently use DT770 Pro 250-Ohm
The Muse at 50% volume setting equals the Essence STX on maximum.

 

[kingoftown1]

Quote:

Single tube headphone amplifier, solid on eBay. ships from China, takes 10 days
Prices start at $45, better ones around $75
I hook my Muse EH 6922 (single tube) to the RCAs on my Essence STX.
Currently use DT770 Pro 250-Ohm
The Muse at 50% volume setting equals the Essence STX on maximum.

we should remember that gain does not always equal being properly driven.
 

 

[stv014]

Unless you are looking for a particular distortion/colored sound, I doubt that $45 Chinese single tube amplifiers would be an improvement over the STX. Objectively, with a $70 budget the best option is building a good DIY amplifier (but only if you have the necessary skills), such as the already recommended O2.
 

 

[PurpleAngel]

I do not think he is looking at improvement so much as just something that can get louder then the Essence ST at max volume.
At the $70 price range (pre-built) there is not a whole lot of options.

 

[Snareman]

Ok I see there is not a whole lot I could do for my price range so i'll raise my budget to $110 or (£70 I think where I am)

If I could easily build one myself that would be great, but i've not attempted this before so if someone could link me to a tutorial or something along those lines it would be a great help, although i'd rather buy something prebuilt.
 
But I do want a slightly significant increase from my current setup (Xonar Essence ST on high gain) and bare in mind going above 300 ohms can possibly damage my headphones.

 

[stv014]

The Essence ST/STX allow for pretty loud volume with the HD650, up to about 120 dB. But the higher output voltage needs to be enabled in the mixer settings; it is possible to select 0 dB, +12 dB, or +18 dB gain, and I think the default is 0 dB.
 

 

[Snareman]

Also what would be better with a proper headphone amp? To not have any gain at all on the ST settings and gain on the headphone amp?