Does Zune benefit from amplification?

[Andrew_WOT]

Wondering what everyone's experience is, as I am totally befuddled now, either onboard amp is already that good or the fact that there is no line out and amping already screwed by internal amp signal is a futility, but I couldn't discern any worthy difference. Have tried podless iM716, ATH-ES7, AH-D2000. Nada, may be just a little coloration if amp has one, but that's pretty much it. If Zune has enough juice to drive cans, amping it yields virtually zero difference.

I am not talking about high impedance phones, which would be silly to use as portables anyway.

 

[tstarn06]

Hmmm, I only use an amp with the Zune80 when I use the AL716s, with pod, or the PK1s, which NEED an amp. In both cases, it's necessary (so I have no way to compare it to non-amped sound with those phones). With the PK3s or Atrios (or even the SR-80s), I seldom use an amp, since those phones have low enough impedence to be powered without one and still sound pretty fantastic, to me.

I'll do some listening and let you know what I think. On the other hand, I don't have any reason to use an amp with the M5s or PK3s, so not sure if it matters to me. For the sake of research, I'll give a listen and post.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmmm, I only use an amp with the Zune80 when I use the AL716s, with pod, or the PK1s, which NEED an amp. In both cases, it's necessary (so I have no way to compare it to non-amped sound with those phones). With the PK3s or Atrios (or even the SR-80s), I seldom use an amp, since those phones have low enough impedence to be powered without one and still sound pretty fantastic, to me. I'll do some listening and let you know what I think. On the other hand, I don't have any reason to use an amp with the M5s or PK3s, so not sure if it matters to me. For the sake of research, I'll give a listen and post.

Interesting, I have replaced iM716 pod with 68Ohms resistors , and Zune drives them unamped just fine at volume 17.

 

[audiomagnate]

My Zune 30 drives ES7s and K81DJs just fine without an amp. I use an amp with my 580s. What's amazing about the Zune amp is how amazingly quiet it is. MyUM2/UM56 combo (see avatar) hisses with almost every source and/or amp, except my unamped Zune.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif Interesting, I have replaced iM716 pod with 68Ohms resistors , and Zune drives them unamped just fine at volume 17.

I am going to get the podectomy soon. I'd love to not have to use the amp. Is the bass sufficient at 68ohm? I was thinking 33 or 47 ohm, based on readings here. I love the 716 sound with the MiniboxE+ bass on and the PtoS on as well. But I don't want to lug around the Minbox all the time.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am going to get the podectomy soon. I'd love to not have to use the amp. Is the bass sufficient at 68ohm? I was thinking 33 or 47 ohm, based on readings here. I love the 716 sound with the MiniboxE+ bass on and the PtoS on as well. But I don't want to lug around the Minbox all the time.

My experience is that amp does not add any significant amount of bass (if any) to iM716, unless it has bass boost or its signature tipped toward low frequencies. That is not the lack of power, Zune has plenty to drive them properly. So, expect the bass to be the same directly out from Zune and amped. But as we all have different listening level preferences, I'd suggest to get 47 and 68Ohms and find which one suits your better, before sealing the pod.

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif My experience is that amp does not add any significant amount of bass (if any) to iM716, unless it has bass boost or its signature tipped toward low frequencies. That is not the lack of power, Zune has plenty to drive them properly. So, expect the bass to be the same directly out from Zune and amped. But as we all have different listening level preferences, I'd suggest to get 47 and 68Ohms and find which one suits your better, before sealing the pod.

Thanks. The Minibox does have bass boost, so I am wondering if I should just leave the 716s alone and use the amp (for stationery listening on planes trains, etc.), and use the Atrios when I am going ampless, so to speak. I like both IEMs, though they are hardly the same.

The 716s sounds really, really fine through the Minibox and the Zune. I just wondered if modding the 716s could result in the same sound bass-wise as with the amp, and which resistors would deliver more bass (I believe it's the 47ohm, based on reading the threads). In other words, how can I get the same bass levels from the 716s without an amp. I know the Minibox really brings out the best in the 716s, right now.

Anyway, I can't do the mod myself, I'm not a DIYer when it comes to a soldering iron, etc. So if I remove the pod, it will be through Moon Audio, at $45. So I need to make a choice prior to the podectomy.

Thanks again.

 

[impressive]

definitely there is no increase in the bass.....

 

[tstarn06]

You mean with the pod removed, no matter what ohm the resistors are? If so, I guess I will keep the pod and use an amp. Because the bass boost on the amp (with the 716s set to HD) sounds great.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif You mean with the pod removed, no matter what ohm the resistors are? If so, I guess I will keep the pod and use an amp. Because the bass boost on the amp (with the 716s set to HD) sounds great.

Pretty sure he meant from amp. As resistor mod does improve the bass, the lower the resistance the more bass it gets. Same when you flip Bass/HD mode on pod, only better.

 

[tstarn06]

Thanks, back to the mod for me, but it can wait with quarterly tax payments due today. Ugh.

 

[niftymatt]

If your headphones don't need amplification for them to actually work like they should, then don't bother with the Zune. I used to use a line-out cable to my Z-Audio Lambda from my Creative Zen Vision:M, but I don't even use that amp anymore. The Zune has no noticeable noise (unlike my amp) and might actually sound better than that old combo.

 

[tstarn06]

Agree. Not using an amp with the Atrios or the PK3s.