Good amp for Sennheiser HD 598? (from PC)

[ficho]

Hello!!!! 
 
I just bought Sennheiser HD 598 and now I am looking for an amplifier for it. This is amp forum I hope this is right address!
 
I don't know much about audio gear, I have X-Fi Fatality soundcard in which I directly plug in headphones and it is really OK sound for me. 
 
But my friend told me it is not so much and that it can be better. He suggested to buy digital amplifier, plug it into SPDIF and listen to music from computer (source is MP3 music good quality and sometimes CD I listen with Cd Player LG (internal). 
He said to buy NAD M2 Direct Digital Amplifier but it really expensive 
 
 
So, what amp would you suggest? Money I have is approx. 200-250 US$ but if it is worth it, I will save the money and buy something more expensive later.
 
Thank you! I have been reading for a while (that's why I decided to buy better headphone, I had Phillips SBC HP250 before which was OK before for me but is not so good I now know) but this is still my first post... tell me if I need to post more information!!
 
Thx so much!!
 
P.S. I listen to jazz and electronic music... sometimes rock (modern), no classical music, no experimental

 

[ficho]

Ok maybe to ask more easier... 
 
what is best buy DAC for max. 250 US$ or maybe 300 US$ for connecting to desktop PC, optimal for Sennheiser HD 598? 
 
thank you for the help!!!

 

[ficho]

Ok I bought uDAC 2 and so far I am really satisfied, especially considering the money!!!

 

[Bacci]

I have the same combo and agree with you. I added an Indeed g2 tube amp from ebay just for fun but it will be a few weeks before it arrives.

 

[Bacci]

The Indeed G2 hybrid headphone amp I bought on Ebay arrived from China today, fitted with a 6N22 tube and IRF510 mosfet.
 
After a few hours of burning in, I conclude that going from:
Imac >> Nuforce UDAC 2 >> Sennheiser HD598
to
Imac >> Nuforce UDAC 2 >> Indeed G2 hybrid tube amp >> Sennheiser HD598 
 
makes a HUGE improvement.
 
Yes, the HD598's have 50 ohm impedance so even an Ipod can raise sound pressure on the HD598's to ear damaging levels. However, the amp lifts the sound of the headphones to a whole new level adding detail, clarity, impact, bass, bass extension, ...
 
Hybrid tube amp = Highly recommended for use with HD598! 

 

[derbigpr]

Tell me please, do you hear any noise coming out of HD598 when plugged into u-DAC2?   Like when not playing any music, and just having the u-DAC2 at low volume level, like 9-10 o'clock?   The noise im talking about is high pitched (about 12 khz) constant buzz, very silent, but people say its present. Can you hear it?  
 
Also, in which ways does u-DAC2 improve sound compared to just plugging your headphones into sound card?  Does it make it louder?  Clearer?  More bass? Is it a noticeable difference?    Do you hear any channel imbalance when listening trough u-DAC2?
 
Sorry for asking so many questions, but i was about to buy u-DAC2 when my friend told me they had some faults.
 
I have Sennheiser HD558 modded to 598.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

That NAD is overkill for the 598, not even sure if it has a headphone output. Anyways the UDAC2 can also feed a real headphone amp (UDAC is essentially just a DAC with a good potentiometer), but that should do well for just the 598. Hold the amp upgrade until you get another headphone and if at that point the UDAC2 seems like it might need a little help.

 

[dogilainen]

I'm going to buy HRT Music Streamer II / II+ and Indeed G2 to use with my 598's...
 
As soon as I can make the decision what models to buy
 
(Can I hear the difference between II / II+ with 598's -> is II+ worth the extra dough, and what tube, 6922/6N11/6N23P, would best suite my taste. 598's are just a little too bright for me)

 

[derbigpr]

Quote:

I'm going to buy HRT Music Streamer II / II+ and Indeed G2 to use with my 598's...
 
As soon as I can make the decision what models to buy
 
(Can I hear the difference between II / II+ with 598's -> is II+ worth the extra dough, and what tube, 6922/6N11/6N23P, would best suite my taste. 598's are just a little too bright for me)

I was thinking about buying a tube amp as well for my HD558, because after modding them to 598's I also find them a bit too bright and a bit too "difficult" to listen to for a long time. Its really not a typical Senn sound.  Its more like a sound for showing off, it makes a great first impression with details and clarity, but in 20-30 mins it becomes almost painful.  My old Senn headphones were always cranked up at high volumes, but I often find myself listening to HD558 at really silent volume levels.

 

[Bacci]

A pure tube amp may have difficulty coping with the current needed to drive low impedance headphones like the 558/598. I would recommend either a solid state or hybrid (e.g. tube with mosfets in output stage) amp. 

 

[dogilainen]

Quote:

A pure tube amp may have difficulty coping with the current needed to drive low impedance headphones like the 558/598. I would recommend either a solid state or hybrid (e.g. tube with mosfets in output stage) amp. 

 Duh, I thought all Indeed G2 amps are hybrid!

 

[Bacci]

Ok, glad to see you have it all figured out then.