confused??? need expert advise, amp for Senn HD555

[tsitra]

Hopefully someone here can help me

recently purchased Sennheiser HD555 was going to get the 595 but found the 555 to be a better value and could use money saved toward purchase of a headphone amp, but do not know which one? Right now I have to turn everything up (like to hear everything even at low volume.) (but also like to have the abillity to crank it up if in the mood.)

Budget and simplicity are a factor, but would like to get the most out of the 555's. anyrecommendations on any part of my set up would be greatly appreciated.

my focus being on purchasing an amp or soundcard or both soon if needed, or a different set of headphones u think would suit my set up better, strictly for listening no studio work.

mysetup:

mac G5 Dual 2.OGig
no sound card (have a creative live for my G4, but they aren't supporting OSX, so really didn't know what was good for OSX, could use a reccommendation here as well

itunes 5.1

klipsch 2.1 speakers (built in amp linear a/b mofset) been plugging 555 into jack on satellite, good not good???

basically listen to cds, mp3pro internet stereo (cdquality?) or downloaded tracks from itunes @128kbps smaple 44.100kHz Protected audio files.

The specs from the 555 box says 50ohms but have read elsewhere is was 120ohms??? Also just noticed these are now made in china, instead of ireland?? not too late to return them. i

please advise, thankyou???

 

[fante7]

The built-in amp on your computer speakers is probably not any good.

The newer HD555s are made in China with 50 ohm impedance.

128kbps is a pretty poor bitrate, see this

Your mp3pro internet stereo is not CD quality.

The HD555 is pretty easy to drive, I found mine even easier to drive than a HD497. You would be a LOT better off upgrading your source(sound card) than getting an amp. I don't know any good options for this for a mac though.

 

[tsitra]

Thank you for taking your time out to reply, and for knowing the difference of ignorance and stupidity. I am a graphics professional and a huge fan of all genres of music, but have never had a need to learn more about audio capabilities, such as impedance and all the other tech stuff that is way over my head at this point, there is so much misinformation out there makes it difficult.

Found the link you provided informative, makes me wonder why itunes calls their technology at 128 lossless, even though you are paying for the download. wondered about the quality, while listening to some downloaded from itunes songs which obviosly were not cd quality, guess I will go back to purchasing cds. Thank you for making me aware of this, before I wasted any more money.

Researching the soundcard for the mac osx,(m-audio?)but really confused about the specs, what is it exactly I need to look for to know it would be the best for the 555 headphones, which I choose because of their spatial surround sound, blew my mind the first time I heard it sounded like a voice dropped down from behind my head it startled me as I never expected to hear something like that.The song I was listening to was
A 100 Times by DJ Reezm - The Traveller,
everything sounds good w/these phones

wondering how much better they will sound with the proper input.

here is what apple says about the G5 factory audio, so far

The Power Mac G5 comes with audio capabilities that are not usually found on personal computers. The state-of-the-art optical digital audio in and out ports use the S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) protocol over Toslink cables for connecting to devices such as decks, receivers, digital instruments and even 5.1 surround-sound speaker systems. And since S/PDIF is an optical signal — a beam of light — you won’t get any ground loop interference caused by copper wiring.
Analog Audio

The Power Mac G5 also features high-quality, analog stereo audio line in and line out ports. A handily-positioned minijack on the front panel makes it easy to plug in your headphones.

Again really appreciate the tiime you took out to advise me on this, as I am obviously lost.

 

[Porksoda]

One thing you could consider is a USB sound card/amp, like the bithead. You'd have to look into the Mac's compatibility with it (email headroom about this), but it would solve both your problems in one foul swoop. Total cost for that is $199, or $269 for the Total Bithead (a fancier version of the same thing).

The other option would be to find a fairly cheap DAC with an optical input, and then slap a PIMETA or MINT on the end of it for amplification. Amps like the MINT can be had for under $75 shipped, and the PIMETA can be found very nicely equipped for circa $125.

As far as a DAC, I'm not so knowledgeable in that area. Surf the source components for sale forum and I am sure with a bit of patience you can find something suitable...