[el_matt0]

hey im considering buying a new pair of beyer dt990s. i run out of my computer (bit perfect) to my Zhaolu via optical and then RCA to my gilmore lite headphone amp. my question is, would you guys suggest that i get the 250 ohm or the 600 ohm model. can someone quickly explain what advantages/disadvantages there might be to each? cheers

 

[el_matt0]

NO one knows the answer to this simple question? lol

 

[steaxauce]

The 600ohm model has the potential to sound better, I'm just not sure whether or not it would sound better with the gilmore light.

 

[jamato8]

There have been a number of posts on this lately. From what I have read it depends upon the quality of the amplification. It is also very subjective and what one hears is not possibly what someone else hears but is seems that with good amplification there is a smoother presentation and more defined bass to the 600ohm version.

 

[Clutz]

I think that the Gilmore Lite should be able to power the 600ohm headphones - the big question with 600ohm headphones is voltage amplification, and I b elieve that the Gilmores are either set up for 8 or 11 times gain. I would advocate getting the 600ohm headphone over the 250 because you know that in the future you'll improve your amplifier, and you'll get more gains out of the 600 then you would out of the 250.

 

[el_matt0]

all i needed to hear, thanks guys, always helpful

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

600 ohm. If you ever have a friend who thinks amplification is not important (or just plain waste of money), just do an A/B with the Glite and an ipod. Instant converts everytime.

 

[trose49]

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_matt0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif all i needed to hear, thanks guys, always helpful

If you buy 600OHMS get a few pair of leather ear pads they will sell quickly!

 

[steaxauce]

It seems that the 600ohm Beyers would be driven very well by the balanced preamp outputs of the likes of the Lavry DA10, Benchmark DAC1 and Apogee mini-DAC; even better than the HD650 (just because of their higher impedance). I know from experience that the DA10's outputs do an excellent job with the HD650. They're said to be on par with dedicated amps in the $1K range. It might be worth exploring this.

 

[Clutz]

There is no way that the amp output of the Benchmark DAC's headphone output is on the same order as a $1k headamp. It's not even on the same scale as a Gilmore Lite - I've spent quite a bit of time with both, and while I agree that in principle that the sound that people prefer is subjective and personal, I in no way accept that the Benchmark DAC's headphone amp is anywhere NEAR the quality of a Gilmore Lite (or Dynalo). The Benchmark DAC's headphone out sounds slow and congested by comparison- and that's not about personal preference in sound - that's an absolute difference in sound.

 

[Balisarda]

Hi Clutz,

Steaxauce wasn't talking about the 1/4" headphone outputs of those DACs. He was talking about connecting the headphones to the balanced preamp outputs of the DACs, which would require reterminating the headphone cables with balanced connectors. Balanced output drives headphones differently than single-ended 1/4" headphone outputs and is said to sound rather better.

Cheers!

 

[steaxauce]

True dat!

 

[pompon]

I had opportunity to test 250 and 600 ohms on my setup.

600 ohms is less dynamic, less bass and envelopping, highs are a bit smooter.

We was 2 to test that and the 600 ohms guy agree the 250 ohms is better (on soundcard or on amp).

Probably matter of taste ... for me, was very clear ... 250 ohms all the way.

 

[steaxauce]

What was your setup? I'd definitely expect the 250ohm to be better out of a soundcard. It'd also beat the 600ohm model on many amps that don't have the voltage swing to handle a 600ohm headphone. It just depends on the amp. Again, I personally don't know about the Gilmore light.

 

[pompon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steaxauce /img/forum/go_quote.gif What was your setup? I'd definitely expect the 250ohm to be better out of a soundcard. It'd also beat the 600ohm model on many amps that don't have the voltage swing to handle a 600ohm headphone. It just depends on the amp. Again, I personally don't know about the Gilmore light.

Look my signature you will see ... My amp is able to drive up to 2000 ohms.