[Trastan]

I've decided to upgrade recently, and have been looking hard at the Grado 325is, but I'd like to make sure that I know exactly what I'm doing.

My question is pretty simple: how does a Beyerdynamic DT 880 sound without an amp? More specifically, I'll be using a Denon home receiver to power them. While I'm fairly certain that the 325is would be well powered by my receiver, I have my doubts on the DT 880s.

What do you all think?

 

[Pibborando]

That'll work fine. It does count as an amp. I used my Denon pre-amp to power my DT 880s before my AE-1 came. Sounded great, and I could turn the volume up FAR louder than I would ever want to listen to.

 

[Trastan]

Thanks for the quick reply; I'm glad to note that I can hold off of a dedicated amp for a while.

Unfortunately, since the 880s should work just fine with my receiver, I'm now forced to decide between the two. Aargh...

 

[nickchen]

It will sound allover like an DT880 when being plugged into the high ohm plug of the receiver. However, you will only get decreased soundscape and detailling, and also the tone itself changes due to the fact that they were optimized to low to zero ohm plugs. Only recommended as short terms solution.

 

[HFat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trastan /img/forum/go_quote.gif My question is pretty simple: how does a Beyerdynamic DT 880 sound without an amp?

If the integrated amp is good, it should sound more or less the same as a good dedicated amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trastan /img/forum/go_quote.gif More specifically, I'll be using a Denon home receiver to power them.

The worst integrated amp I've ever heard (barring gear that was obviously crappy) was on a small Denon receiver. While I don't doubt that other Denon models are much better, I would recommend against using a receiver that is not known for having a good integrated headphone amp with low Z.

If you have a decent soundcard designed to drive headphones, it would probably sound better than your receiver. Decent soundcards can be fairly cheap BTW.