[xxmastaxx]

I have the Sansa Clip+ and the Audio Technica ath-m50s and i was just wondering if i would need an amp so the sound quality would better? Is it also true that amps are bad for headphones later on? Will it effect the sound quality of the headphones?

 

[Young Spade]

Quote:

I have the Sansa Clip+ and the Audio Technica ath-m50s and i was just wondering if i would need an amp so the sound quality would better? Is it also true that amps are bad for headphones later on? Will it effect the sound quality of the headphones?

 
Probably but I would stick to an amp either at or under the 100 dollar mark. 
Amps bad for headphones? No. In some cases they are required to provide the necessary power to the headphones. 
It will affect the sound quality. You'll probably get stronger bass and the phones might give you more "energy" due to them being driven better. 

 

[xxmastaxx]

What amp would you recommend?

 

[Young Spade]

There are some good threads floating around here that could give you more help than I could right now. Amps in this range aren't my forte sadly :/

 

[mythless]

If you like the sound of the ATH-m50 out of the Clip, then don't bother with an amp.  However, if you want an amp take a look at the Fiio E7, Ibasso T4/T3.  Maybe even build yourself a CMOY.

 

[xxmastaxx]

What about NuForce or anyother brand that maybe worth the $100? Is it possible to try out headphone amps in stores like Guitar Center before buying or maybe i could just ask some workers what they prefer best with my m50s

 

[mythless]

They're quite a few amps out there, premade and some DIY ones.  I don't think the M50 really need an amp.

 

[Ypoknons]

Try a cmoy first, it's competent and the financial outlay is low. I'm not guaranteeing success with the M50s, but I've had good results with cmoys and dynamics before. If the cmoy doesn't do anything for you & the M50s, I don't think anything will (outside of coloration). 

 

[5aces]

 [size=10pt]To sum it up: [/size]
 
[size=10pt]If the achieved loudness is adequate and there's no perceivable noise and/or distortion, then an extra amplifier will serve no useful purpose, except maybe the convenience of having the analog volume control handy.[/size]

 

[bba1973]

Quote:

What about NuForce or anyother brand that maybe worth the $100? Is it possible to try out headphone amps in stores like Guitar Center before buying or maybe i could just ask some workers what they prefer best with my m50s

You're probably not going to find any headphone amps at Guitar Center besides portable guitar amps with headphone outputs.

 
Quote:

Try a cmoy first, it's competent and the financial outlay is low. I'm not guaranteeing success with the M50s, but I've had good results with cmoys and dynamics before. If the cmoy doesn't do anything for you & the M50s, I don't think anything will (outside of coloration). 

A cmoy will most likely just give better volume control (if you get one with a bass boost, then you'll have a bass boost too). That's been my experience with my biosciencegeek cmoy. It doesn't really make my music sound better, but it doesn't make it sound worse either. I've had much better results with my mini3. That, and a 75 ohm impedence adaptor help me get the last little bit of speed, detail, and soundstage out of my HF5s. Not a huge improvement, but
 
I haven't heard the m50s, but based on their specs and price, you'd be better off buying better headphones. Amps aren't always the answer, and they don't really provide a whole lot of improvement.
 
So, no, you don't need amp.

 

[Ypoknons]

^ you've been using BA IEMs though. I've had good results with cmoys on some dynamics - HD595, HD465 etc... Not sure about the M50's. I suggested the OP give the cmoy a try, it's good cheap and capable, and he'll find out for himself if it makes a difference. 

 

[roker]

Quote:

What about NuForce or anyother brand that maybe worth the $100? Is it possible to try out headphone amps in stores like Guitar Center before buying or maybe i could just ask some workers what they prefer best with my m50s

Icon Mobile is great for my headphones (D2000), but if memory serves me right, at50s might not benefit much from amping.  There's no doubt that amping it will be better, but will you really see a substantial difference making it worth the 100 bucks?

 

[Young Spade]

Quote:

Icon Mobile is great for my headphones (D2000), but if memory serves me right, at50s might not benefit much from amping.  There's no doubt that amping it will be better, but will you really see a substantial difference making it worth the 100 bucks?

That's a good question. My opinion? Yea.... but that's coming from me and I like spending money an audio gear

 

[bba1973]

Quote:

^ you've been using BA IEMs though. I've had good results with cmoys on some dynamics - HD595, HD465 etc... Not sure about the M50's. I suggested the OP give the cmoy a try, it's good cheap and capable, and he'll find out for himself if it makes a difference. 

Dynamics? I've got a few of them... I've used my cmoy with my RE0s, S4s, Portapros, KSC75s, and HA-RX700s too. Pretty much the same results: 1-2% improvement or so and better volume control. The RE0s did improve quite a bit more (8-10%? it's hard to put it on a scale) with my mini3 though. Mainly with making the soundstage more 3-d and picking up the speed.
 
Maybe the OP should give the Fiio E5 a shot? It's even cheaper than a cmoy. I haven't heard it though, but there's plenty of people around here who have.
 

 

[Young Spade]

Quote:

Dynamics? I've got a few of them... I've used my cmoy with my RE0s, S4s, Portapros, KSC75s, and HA-RX700s too. Pretty much the same results: 1-2% improvement or so and better volume control. The RE0s did improve quite a bit more (8-10%? it's hard to put it on a scale) with my mini3 though. Mainly with making the soundstage more 3-d and picking up the speed.
 
Maybe the OP should give the Fiio E5 a shot? It's even cheaper than a cmoy. I haven't heard it though, but there's plenty of people around here who have.
 

This is similar to what I've read others have gotten from amping dynamic IEMs as well... I personally think it has to do with the QUALITY of the dynamic driver itself outside of the sensitivity/impedance issue. 
 
Single BA armatures dont' get that much of an increase in amping either.... although multi armature phones benefit a lot (UM3X from experience). My ER4Ps don't benefit from amping with an ALO Rx.