Desktop amp for ATH-M50s
Jun 17, 2013 at 12:33 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 9

OregonTrail

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I have the coiled cable version of the Audio Technica ATH-M50s. I'd like to buy a desktop amp for them in $100 - $200 range. Tube or solid state. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks!
 
By the way, are there two different impedance versions of this headphone? I bought them about three years ago, and at the time I remember having a choice between a ~30 Ohm version and a ~300 Ohm version. I also recall getting the ~300 Ohm version. Perhaps I am thinking of my brother's purchase of the Beyerdynamics DT-880.
 
I have a feeling that you're going to tell me that my ATH-M50 purchase could have only been the 38 Ohm version. (How can I measure this myself?).
 
Jun 17, 2013 at 2:20 PM Post #2 of 9
Quote:
I have the coiled cable version of the Audio Technica ATH-M50s. I'd like to buy a desktop amp for them in $100 - $200 range. Tube or solid state. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks!
 
By the way, are there two different impedance versions of this headphone? I bought them about three years ago, and at the time I remember having a choice between a ~30 Ohm version and a ~300 Ohm version. I also recall getting the ~300 Ohm version. Perhaps I am thinking of my brother's purchase of the Beyerdynamics DT-880.
 
I have a feeling that you're going to tell me that my ATH-M50 purchase could have only been the 38 Ohm version. (How can I measure this myself?).

To the best of my knowledge, there is no 300-Ohm version of the ATH-M50s.
So I'm assuming that all versions of the ATH-M50s are all 38-Ohm.
A $99 Schiit Magni should be more then enough of an amp for the ATH-M50s
The PAV2V amp ($70) would do a fine job.
(Even a $27 Fiio E6 amp can do a good job of driving the 38-Ohm ATH-M50)
 
Jun 17, 2013 at 2:30 PM Post #3 of 9
Or sell off the ATH-M50s and buy the Audio Technica ATH-A900Xs, some place are selling them for $170.
 
Jun 17, 2013 at 6:13 PM Post #4 of 9
To the best of my knowledge, there is no 300-Ohm version of the ATH-M50s.
So I'm assuming that all versions of the ATH-M50s are all 38-Ohm.
A $99 Schiit Magni should be more then enough of an amp for the ATH-M50s
The PAV2V amp ($70) would do a fine job.
(Even a $27 Fiio E6 amp can do a good job of driving the 38-Ohm ATH-M50)


Agreed. Never heard of alternative impedance versions of the M50s, and those are some good amp choices.

What is your current equipment? With your budget, you might also look into getting the Schiit Modi DAC to go with the Magni.
 
Jun 18, 2013 at 6:14 PM Post #6 of 9
I have the Little Dot I+ hybrid, and I've really enjoyed it. The Little Dot I+ may work better for you than the Little Dot II. The reason for the hybrid design (tube preamp/solid state amp) is so that it can better power low impedance headphones. The I+ is 800mw at 32 ohms and the II is 100mw at 32 ohms. That's quite a bit extra headroom.
 
Jun 19, 2013 at 10:56 AM Post #8 of 9
Glad that helped. :)

There are lengthy appreciation threads and tube rolling threads for the Little Dot I+ hybrid if you want to learn more:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/348639/new-hybrid-amp-by-little-dot-i
http://www.head-fi.org/t/364043/little-dot-i-tube-rolling
 
Jun 20, 2013 at 9:54 AM Post #9 of 9
My order has gone through with David, can't wait!
 
smile.gif

 
I think I'll warm up the stock tubes before I get into tube rolling.
 
Thanks for the advice.
 

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