Beyerdynamic DT880, DT990

[BushGuy]

There is absolutely NO question that the treble of dt990/600 is smoother (and non-fatiguing) than the 250 ohm versions.......and bass has more authority - effortless. I'm still happily chugging along by powering them with Prehead MkII. In my case the only time I use tubes with Beyers is with dt880/600. I would suggest if you intend to go with dt990/600 / Opera combo - ask Jan to raise the gain for them.

 

[Beav]

I have the DT990 and found that recorded material made the difference to whether the phones were bright or neutral. This tendency to be shrill on the highs lessened with burn in time, even on those recordings that were recorded shrill. I would still be happily listening to the 990's had the Denon D5000 not swayed me away from my affair with the Beyers. I would say you definitly need a quality amp and source, otherwise the Beyers are going to highlight the deficiencies of either.