[Jeffy141]

Hello everyone,

I am a noob and my question is probably very noob to you.
I just bought the DT 880 250 ohm and the main use is gaming on PC and listening to some music while playing. 
I read that I should get an Amp, what do you think about the Fiio E10? Enough? It is also a DAC so I would not need a sound card right?

Also, right now the sound card that I have is the one from my mother board (asus p8p67 evo with 8.1 etc...) so nothing special.
Should I get a dedicated sound card to have these headphones perform at their full potential? If yes, which one please?

So is an amp enough or should I get amp + sound card? Or amp alone or sound card alone?

Thanks a lo!

 

[PurpleAngel]

Depending on your budget.
Any of these can drive the DT880 250-Ohm headphones.
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Z sound card, $85
Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card, used, $140, new $180.
Asus Xonar DX sound card (used, $60) with a Schiit Magni headphone amplifier ($99), total cost around $170.
Audio-GD NFB-15, external DAC/Head amp, $270+shipping.

 

[Jeffy141]

  Depending on your budget.
Any of these can drive the DT880 250-Ohm headphones.
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Z sound card, $85
Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card, used, $140, new $180.
Asus Xonar DX sound card (used, $60) with a Schiit Magni headphone amplifier ($99), total cost around $170.
Audio-GD NFB-15, external DAC/Head amp, $270+shipping.

Thanks for your answer!
I want to spend around $200.
If I get the Asus xonar essence STX, do I need an amp too?

You dont like the E10? The Audi GD NFB 15 is kinda expensive.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Thanks for your answer!
I want to spend around $200.
If I get the Asus Xonar Essence STX, do I need an amp too?

You don't like the E10?

 
The Essence STX's headphone amplifier can drive headphones up to 600-Ohms
(like my DT880 Premium 600-Ohm or my DT990 Premium 600-Ohm).
So a Beyer 250-Ohm headphone is not a problem.
 
Nothing wrong with the FiiO E10, but FiiO does not make them any more and the price has gone up on (new and used) what is left on the market.
Anything time now FiiO will be releasing the new E10K.
 
The Xonar DX with Schiit Magni combo gives you a volume knob at your finger tips, if you care about that.

 

[Jeffy141]

   
The Essence STX's headphone amplifier can drive headphones up to 600-Ohms
(like my DT880 Premium 600-Ohm or my DT990 Premium 600-Ohm).
So a Beyer 250-Ohm headphone is not a problem.
 
Nothing wrong with the FiiO E10, but FiiO does not make them any more and the price has gone up on (new and used) what is left on the market.
Anything time now FiiO will be releasing the new E10K.
 
The Xonar DX with Schiit Magni combo gives you a volume knob at your finger tips, if you care about that.

Oh great!
Yeah I was going I care about having a volume knob lol. I will check that!
Thx a lot for your help!

IF I can the E10 I dont need a sound card right?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Oh great!
Yeah I was going I care about having a volume knob lol. I will check that!
Thx a lot for your help!

IF I can the E10 I don't need a sound card right?

 
The E10 uses a USB connection and USB bypasses the sound card (on-board and add-on)
So if your PC games do all the audio processing (like headphone surround sound) with in the game itself, then your ok.
But as your a gamer, I would say to get a sound card.

 

[MrEleventy]

Or, for $140 pick up my NFB 12 used. (Shameless plug, I know. )
I've used it for my DT880/600 ohms at home and it works great. More than loud enough and adds some nice warmth.

E: My gaming setup at home is : Laptop >> Sound Blaster X-Fi 5.1 surround >> (optical)NFB12 >> DT880/600.
For music, I toggle to USB then it's : Laptop >> (usb)NFB12 >> DT880/600.

Beats changing SB settings to disable CMSS-3D every time.