[strogg]

I'm thinking of getting an 0404 to replace my transit for my desktop (the m-audio transit will get permanant laptop duty). obviously, i have the option of returning it at no cost to me if i by the 0404, but before i waste my time, i'd like to ask if the a900's will be driven well enough by the 0404 to warrant a huge delay for an amp purchase. basically, with replaygain enabled, the sound is just loud enough for me at the fullest volume (any louder and i won't be happy). will the 0404 drive it that loudly w/o an amp?

secondly, do you think it'll be worth my money to buy a 0404 to put the m-audio on permanant laptop duty? or is the transit good enough that i won't hear much of a difference?

thanks

 

[JeffL]

You will probably hear a difference. At least I did with a Sonica > EMU 404 upgrade. Bass is tighter and more controller, better mids, and more recessed highs.

The transit has an opamp internal, so the line-out is "powered." The EMU 404 has true 1/4" style TS line-outs, and these will not power headphones.

 

[SRK]

The EMU 0404 drives my A900s very well. I listen to them with the EMU's monitor volume at -30 dB (all sources / mixes set to 0dB, playing through waveout), when set to 0 dB the music is so loud it is hurting my ears

 

[tigz]

In my case, the a900s were not driven very well from the emu0404,

emu0404-->headphile SSS emu cable-->a900

the above was not nearly enough volume for me, however, for some reason with my mini ipod the a900 had PLENTY of juice and they sounded awesome.


i just got a JMT Pimeta home amp hooked up with the ELPAC 24v and it sounds AWESOME. you can get the amp for 245 shipped at jmtaudio.com.

current setup thats sounds awesome

emu0404 --> headphile SSS 1/4 to RCA --> JMT Pimeta --> a900

 

[tigz]

btw: i dont like super loud volumes but enough to the point where the highs barely dont hurt my ears, i had emu 0404 maxed and wasnt gettin enough volume.

 

[neueziel]

I'm with the other guys on the amping. Even though the A500's and A900's are considered efficient, they still benefit from amping. The difference imo is big.

 

[strogg]

well, i took the consideration, and figured that it can go either way, so i decided to go buy the 0404 to try out. the adio quality is great, although i can sense that an amp can improve the sound... mmm... bass is a bit too deep for my taste, although i've gotten used to it. but for the ultimate answer:

adjusting the preamps so the s-meter will almost always show green (verses teal or red), i found that it wasn't quite as loud as i hoped, although it is still driven well. i can probably take another 8-9 more decibels on that thing.

*sigh* and i thought i was immune to this forum's incessent badgering of spending money :0404: