darth beyer recommendations?

[jetpig]

I've settled on getting the darth beyers.

Now the question is. what do they need to be their best.

I'll be using my computer as source. I've currently got an Audigy 2 ZS.

I've been looking at the e-mu 4040. (100 bucks on newegg for a VERY nice sound card from what i've read here) would i need an amp for the cans? would an external dac be adviseable for this? can the emu drive the cans respectably on their own?

I listen mostly to electronica and game. i toss in the occasional other stuff, classical to rock a few hours a week.

 

[rb67]

What is your budget? I highly recommend an amp as a first step. The Audigy 2 ZS is alright, but you are more likely to see a greater improvement with a nice amp ($150) out of the audigy than no amp with the e-mu.

 

[jetpig]

400 max per part.

 

[rb67]

In that case you have a few choices assuming you are spending money on an amp. $250 on an amp will do you well, since you have very nice headphones.

AMP +

1. EMU-0404 $100
2. USB DAC $100-150
3. DAC $150 using digital output from your 2 ZS.

Me? I would do the USB DAC. It offers flexibility and has reduced components in the signal path. All 3 are excellent choices though I would go 2 or 3 in order to cut out an amplification stage.

 

[jetpig]

i like the usb idea, anything to look at specifically? also don't dac's need an amp as well?

 

[vegaman]

A plain dac would, but quite a few dacs have built in amps as well, such as the corda aria (usb) or zhaolu (coax/toslink). Though I can't say if I'd recommend either since I haven't heard them before (haven't heard my darths yet either, should be getting them soon).

 

[spacemanspliff]

the Darth's like the Zhalou 2.5C and any amp by Ray, MisterX or Meier. I personally would go with digital coaxial instead of usb. The soundcard you have right but if you have a dac the x-fi elite pro is a nice transport.

 

[BushGuy]

My 3rd pair of Darths are in process and I've had your Audigy card, also a Emu 0404 - and my favorite is ESI Juli@ (if you are a good shopper you can find one for $129). Favorite amp for Darths is Corda HA-2 MkII (SE version even a bit better.

 

[jetpig]

will the Juli@ need an amp? or can they power the darth's on their own? is an amp recommended?

 

[BushGuy]

No matter whatever card you use - a good amp is a necessity to produce the bass spectrum without any aberations. If you can't go for the Corda right now, I powered Darths with a Portaphile 2^2 maxxed (using an Elpac) very nicely. IMO, Darths are best served by the drier signature of Corda Mk II series of amps. Jan has been going to a slightly less-dry signature with his newer amps.

 

[spacemanspliff]

You can certainly make due without an amp for a bit by using the soundcard. An amp is even more a neccessity than a dac for Darths mostly due to the bass they produce. The hardest thing for an amp to do physically is to put out good bass.

I always reccommend hitting up MisterX for one of his amps. Just tell him the application(your setup and what you intend to use it for) and he can build you an amp to suit. His cases are getting really nice btw.

I use an Sq-84 which is a 6x6 Tube amp. Tubes are not reccomended unless it's a really fast tube like mine. These cost $$$ of course lol.

 

[jetpig]

i'm beginning to hate you head-fi... >_< i haven't even bought my first pair of cans since i joined and i'm already thinking i might need to trade around a bit or get a couple pairs.

Anywho, i've read that the 880s are really good, to the point I might get those instead. i'd save a bit of cash (the darthing is REALLY expensive) and get nice detailed cans. now will the 250 ohm cans be driveable by a juli@/0404 in the short term? (i have to buy piece by piece)

 

[Skylab]

The Meier Audio Corda Aria is a great match with Darth Beyers, and in your price range.