DT770/80s + Amp/DAC on PC??

[GoodRevrnd]

I'm reposting this over here to hopefully get a better response since my questions meander outside of a simple amp question.

Currently I'm running my DT770/80s exclusively on my PC through an X-Fi Xtreme Music. Even though I do 90% of my music listening on my PC, I have to keep it optimized for gaming first and foremost. I've finally decided to get an amp but after reading through search for the last 2 hours I'm more confused than when I started. So....

1. Why exactly would I need a DAC? Does using one bypass the audio processing on the X-Fi or how does all that work? I currently have the windows configuration set up as 5.1 and then the X-Fi translates that to stereo headphones for accurate positioning. These always seem like they're USB so is the X-Fi still being used for processing in these situations?

2. It seems you get amps primarily to help with volume situations? As it stands I can already go absurdly loud and leave my windows volume on '20' for normal use. Is 100 "neutral" or amplified somehow by the computer? I'm still considering the amp for the convenience factor of just having a knob, and reading most people seem to agree it provides more "oomph" instead of only volume.

3. What would be a good match for my setup? $250 max but cheaper the better. Desktop amp. Tube or SS doesn't mean anything to me, but from what I've read it sounds like SS would be best.

4. Octavart O1? From what I read it sounded good at the time at least, but search results seem to convey this thing has fallen out of favor. Opinions?

 

[FunyunBreath]

I'd check out the nuforce icon mobile if you don't want to drop a ton of money. I bought one for my dt770's and it really does a nice job as far as increasing the soundstage and really giving the phones a tight crisp sound.

 

[FallenAngel]

First things first : read my primer, you'll understand a little more of this stuff.

1) You'll know the answer once you read the primer.

I use the XtremeMusic in my own system. Use it in "Audio Creation Mode" for playback and "Game Mode" with 3D-CMSS enabled through S/PDIF to get all the nice benefits in gaming. Using a good quality standalone DAC will do wonders for sound quality and you'll have no drawbacks, at all.

2) Amplification has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with volume. Strap your headphones to a $20 speaker amp and you'll blast your head off - that's called voltage gain. You need usable voltage swing (voltage gain before clipping) and output current, mixed with a proper output impedance of course. Basically, get an amp to provide clean amplification of the signal with minimal interference and added noise and to have the headphones driven by an amp that can provide the voltage swing and output current they require to sound as intended, not as they do when driven by a lacking amp.

3) That's a tough budget, it would be hard to fit it if you want a DAC and an amp. For now, perhaps get a nice ~ $200 amplifier until you can get a decent DAC. I would recommend a used CKK-III off the forums, they pop up around that price.

4) Never heard it, can't comment.