[ArthurShou]

Hello all!
 
I've recently begun looking into building a good sound system coming from cheap generic speakers and earbuds (iHome and Skullcandy, lol). I've been looking for a headphone that would suit classical music, and I have limited my options to AKG Q701, Sennheiser HD598, and the Beyerdynamic DT880 (open to recommendations of course). I've read plenty about the importance of getting a good amp/DAC (since I'll be running this from my laptop), but I was wondering if an A/V receiver would substitute that well enough. My parents have an old Onkyo TX-DS656 that has been lying around. Is it worth spending hundreds on a separate amp/DAC? What's the tradeoff if there is one? Also, would getting headphones with higher impedances be a solution, and if so, which would you recommend for classical?
 
Specs (http://www.manualslib.com/manual/259401/Onkyo-Tx-Ds656.html?page=52#manual)
Features (http://www.manualslib.com/manual/259401/Onkyo-Tx-Ds656.html?page=4#manual)
 
Thanks!

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Hello all!
 
I've recently begun looking into building a good sound system coming from cheap generic speakers and earbuds (iHome and Skullcandy, lol). I've been looking for a headphone that would suit classical music, and I have limited my options to AKG Q701, Sennheiser HD598, and the Beyerdynamic DT880 (open to recommendations of course). I've read plenty about the importance of getting a good amp/DAC (since I'll be running this from my laptop), but I was wondering if an A/V receiver would substitute that well enough. My parents have an old Onkyo TX-DS656 that has been lying around. Is it worth spending hundreds on a separate amp/DAC? What's the tradeoff if there is one? Also, would getting headphones with higher impedances be a solution, and if so, which would you recommend for classical?
 
Specs (http://www.manualslib.com/manual/259401/Onkyo-Tx-Ds656.html?page=52#manual)
Features (http://www.manualslib.com/manual/259401/Onkyo-Tx-Ds656.html?page=4#manual)
 
Thanks!

 
The DT880 250-Ohm impedance has the best chance of work well, with an older receiver.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Hello all!
 
I've recently begun looking into building a good sound system coming from cheap generic speakers and earbuds (iHome and Skullcandy, lol). I've been looking for a headphone that would suit classical music, and I have limited my options to AKG Q701, Sennheiser HD598, and the Beyerdynamic DT880 (open to recommendations of course). I've read plenty about the importance of getting a good amp/DAC (since I'll be running this from my laptop), but I was wondering if an A/V receiver would substitute that well enough. My parents have an old Onkyo TX-DS656 that has been lying around. Is it worth spending hundreds on a separate amp/DAC? What's the tradeoff if there is one? Also, would getting headphones with higher impedances be a solution, and if so, which would you recommend for classical?
 
Specs (http://www.manualslib.com/manual/259401/Onkyo-Tx-Ds656.html?page=52#manual)
Features (http://www.manualslib.com/manual/259401/Onkyo-Tx-Ds656.html?page=4#manual)
 
Thanks!

It's hard to tell given the variances between how manufacturers treat the circuit design on those. Some have a cheap headphone amp circuit behind the socket controlled by the same preamp volume knob for example, so unless someone has tested a particular speaker receiver I'm not inclined to bet on it doing well. Also, consider a couple of other things: what sources will you be using and where? These older receivers might not have the inputs you need, whereas for example a DAC-HPamp designed for desktop audio can have at least a USB input for computers (and heck even for iOS and Android in some cases, although if not specifically stated as such, they'll need USB adapters). Then there's the size - if you're going to use that as a desktop amp, it's about triple the volume of a DAC and headphone amp stacked on top of each other, and can be as much as six times the size of a single box DAC+HPamp.

 

I'd say prepare some money for a DAC-HPamp, but don't order it yet until you've tested the headphones extensively and are more familiar with what you think needs improvement if any (even just the size for example).

 

[ArthurShou]

Thanks for your help!