Do I need an amp for the Superlux HD660?

[Lol999]

As it says, do I need an dac-amp or just a dac for these? They're 150ohm and I run them from my Lenovo laptop through Foobar.
From what I've read 150ohm is a bit heavy for a laptop soundcard, having said that it drives them louder than I am comfortable with but it has to go all the way to full power to get there.

So, what to do?
I listen to online radio but also FLAC rips of my cd's done through EAC and am currently using a cheapy Signstek/Muse dac.

Oh, and it needs to preferably be below £150 and MUST have usb connectivity.

Thanks, Lol

 

[PurpleAngel]

USB DAC/amp.
Fiio Q1 MK II and Schiit Fulla 2. both sell for $100 (USD).

 

[cossix]

It depends on the sensitivity just as much as the impedance in ohms. If they're around 100db sentitivity then that's not bad but if they're like 96 then that might be a problem in terms of how much performance you'll squeeze out with a laptop card. I would jump on the Schiit train and recommend the Fulla 2. It's a powerful little guy and well worth the money. Schiit's entry level products are worth more than they cost IMO

 

[Lol999]

The HD660 are 96db on sensitivity so perhaps they need an amp to drive them properly.

The thing about the Fulla 2 is it outputs 0.55watts into 16 ohm, the maximum power handling of the HD660 is rated at 0.1 watt, so scaling the power down to 150 ohm is the Fulla 2 getting close to its maximum load with these headphones?

In addition, I was considering the smsl m6 which I can get for £100 in the UK.

Thoughts?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

As it says, do I need an dac-amp or just a dac for these?

You can't use just a DAC for headphones. There has to be an output/driver stage to properly move the transducers as needed, ie, current and voltage delivery as needed. That's like hooking up a CDP or TT directly to a headphone or speaker.

They're 150ohm and I run them from my Lenovo laptop through Foobar.
From what I've read 150ohm is a bit heavy for a laptop soundcard, having said that it drives them louder than I am comfortable with but it has to go all the way to full power to get there.

A better amp circuit will make the sound a little bit cleaner but don't expect it to sound like a totally different headphone. Its response as a whole will not be drastically altered by an amplifier, unless your laptop is really distorting now.

 

[agnarr]

I've tried to drive HD600 just using my phone.To be honest,it doesn't sound bad...

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I've tried to drive HD600 just using my phone.To be honest,it doesn't sound bad...

Modern smartphones have considerably more voltage than iPods. My Note3 wasn't too bad with it (kind of lazy, crank it up that's how it distorts), but at least usable unlike my iPod video.