[Melanter]

What is the bare minimum I would need to get to use Senn HD600's coming out of a laptop? Would I need an amp and a DAC? What are the cheapest options?

 

[Melanter]

Any cheap but good amp/DAC combos that would work?

 

[Covenant]

A Pico DAC/Amp would likely be one of your cheapest options. It won't fully drive the HD600's, but it'll get them close enough, and provide a much better source than any laptop soundcard.

 

[grokit]

this has a gain switch and dual wolfson dacs

 

[Uncle Erik]

The cheapest? Run a 1/8" to RCA cable from your laptop to an old receiver. Ask friends and relatives if they will give you an old two channel receiver they might have in the garage. You can also find receivers at thrift stores, junk shops, garage sales, Craigslist, etc. If you're lucky, you should be able to get the receiver and cable for $20 to $30.

 

[Raez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanter /img/forum/go_quote.gif What is the bare minimum I would need to get to use Senn HD600's coming out of a laptop? Would I need an amp and a DAC? What are the cheapest options?

Bare minimum would be an an amp. You could get a decent one for $60 in the FS forums. (Mini 3 or something)

 

[tim3320070]

uDac or a Musiland Monitor 02 are both cheap and seem well liked (both are DAC plus amp).

 

[gbacic]

The cheapest option would be to plug it into your laptop. But the cheapest option that sounds decent would be to get a DAC/amp combo.

 

[Melanter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbacic /img/forum/go_quote.gif The cheapest option would be to plug it into your laptop. But the cheapest option that sounds decent would be to get a DAC/amp combo.

Can you recommend one?

 

[Raez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanter /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can you recommend one?

NuForce uDAC for $100.

 

[drandall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raez /img/forum/go_quote.gif NuForce uDAC for $100.

i just got one this weekend...as part of an overall effort to improve the sound of my music coming from my mac.

not only does the amplifier make my existing headphones sound better but there is a noticeable tightening of the bass, an expanded soundstage and improved clarity. i expect when i upgrade my headphones, i'll be able to hear even more improvement.

for $99, it's almost stealing.

 

[Melanter]

Oh that's an amp/DAC combo? I thought it was just a DAC.

Can it fully power the 600s?

 

[leveller1642]

The Chinese amp/dacs, such as the Zero or Zhaolu 2.00 can be available second hand for around $100.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rev...re-amp-269458/

Are you in Australia? I can sell you a Zero for about $80. I have a Zhaolu 2.00 too. You could have that for $100.

The cheapest option though would be as Uncle erik suggested- an old integrated amp.

 

[Melanter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leveller1642 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Chinese amp/dacs, such as the Zero or Zhaolu 2.00 can be available second hand for around $100. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rev...re-amp-269458/ Are you in Australia? I can sell you a Zero for about $80. I have a Zhaolu 2.00 too. You could have that for $100. The cheapest option though would be as Uncle erik suggested- an old integrated amp.

Thanks but I'm pretty far away in Canada.

 

[Melanter]

Do you really need to change the cable on the 600s?