[hmorneau]

Hi,
 
During the boxing day, I got a pair of Dre Beats "Studio" for 229$. After few minutes of listening, I was not pleased with the sound, got a full refund today.
 
Decided to get a pair of DT 880 (not the newest one, I got a used pair for less then $200). They are the 250ohm version. They sound much better then the Dre Beats.
 
Now I need advice to get a good amp for it. I was looking at the WA6, but it's pretty expensive, I don't know if I have to invest that much. On the other end, I saw the EF2a or the EF5 from hifiman. The EF2a is really cheap, but I don't know if it worth it. I'm open to buy something second hand. I would like something I can connect over USB. I don't need it be portable. 
 
I listen to lot of jazz, pop, and sometime techno. I don't want something too powerful, I just want something with a really good sound. I did lot of search on this forum, but I can't find a definitive answer for what I'm looking for.
 
Thank you.

 

[mamaloney]

A little dot MKII would be good, and they're pretty cheap.

 

[gavinfabl]

Or a Little Dot MKIII. I have Beyer DT880 Premium 600 ohm and use a Little Dot MKIV. Awesome pairing. The MkIII is excellent too. Www.littledot.net

 

[mosshorn]

The EF2A is also a great tube solution for the price, and also a decent all-in-one (might want a new DAC next in line)

 

[hodgjy]

I used to have the DT880 250 ohm, and they sounded great with the Woo 3.  In general, the 880s sound great with tubes.  You could also look into the Valhalla.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Quote:

I used to have the DT880 250 ohm, and they sounded great with the Woo 3.  In general, the 880s sound great with tubes.  You could also look into the Valhalla.

a second vouch here for the WA3. you can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[Rawrbington]

yeah the WA3 should pair very nicely with the 880s.
detail dynamics and incredible musicality

 

[hmorneau]

it's more expensive then what I would like to invest for a first amp. 
 
I'm more looking into those one:
- [size=small]Matrix m-stage (269$)'[/size]
[size=small]- HifiMan EF2 (169$)[/size]
[size=small]- Little Dot MKII (124$)[/size]
[size=small]- Little Dot MKIII (199$)[/size]
 
Or something else in this price range.

 

[NinjaSquirt]

MKIII is fairly highly recommended around here. Maybe a Schiit Valhalla.

 

[hmorneau]

Thanks, but I just realize that they don't have a USB port input. I think only the EF2 have one. Do I need that to use it with my computer?

 

[hmorneau]

Well, I think I will go with the WA6. 

 

[Dubstep Girl]

a WA6 is an excellent choice.
 
my WA6SE (an upgraded version of the WA6) works really great on beyers and should work with just about any other headphone.
 
 
otls like the WA3/WA2 on the other hand only work with high impedance headphones (250 ohms and higher)