[DerpMaster]

So I'm using the sennheiser hd 558 right now, but i'm wondering what would be a good configuration (amp, etc) to use with my laptop. It does not need to be a portable setup, because I no longer use my laptop for traveling. I'm still rather new to high quality audio, as you can probably tell. I don't really want to spend more than $200 on the entire setup. Thanks!

 

[GaryWA]

If it's just your HD's then you have a couple different options.
 
O2 + ODAC
Schiit Modi + Magni
Yulong U100
Musicstreamer 2

 

[StanD]

So I'm using the sennheiser hd 558 right now, but i'm wondering what would be a good configuration (amp, etc) to use with my laptop. It does not need to be a portable setup, because I no longer use my laptop for traveling. I'm still rather new to high quality audio, as you can probably tell. I don't really want to spend more than $200 on the entire setup. Thanks!

These are very easy to drive and depending on your source may require nothing. If you want just an amp a FiiO E12 would do far more than enough and won't break the bank, a FiiO E11 is even cheaper, I'd still go for the E12. If you want a DAC/Amp the FiiO E18 is more than enough for these. I use the E12 as a portable for my HD600's and they work rather well. If you want a very good desktop amp a Schiit Magni is rather good, more than enough and won't break the bank either.
Did you do the Black Foam Mode for your HD558's?

 

[PurpleAngel]

So I'm using the Sennheiser HD 558 right now, but i'm wondering what would be a good configuration (amp, etc) to use with my laptop. It does not need to be a portable setup, because I no longer use my laptop for traveling. I'm still rather new to high quality audio, as you can probably tell. I don't really want to spend more than $200 on the entire setup. Thanks!

FiiO E10 USB-DAC-Amp, $75
 
You might improve the mids and highs by removing the black rubber tape from inside the cups of the HD558s.
As the tape covers about 40% of the air holes.

 

[jiiteepee]

If you have EqualizerAPO running, you could try how this frequency response fix EQ sounds (NOTE: preamp gain is not adjusted)


 


Channel: L R

Preamp: 0,00 dB

Filter : ON PEQ Fc 10 Hz Gain 8,76 dB BW Oct 2,318
Filter : ON PEQ Fc 198 Hz Gain -2,98 dB BW Oct 5,995
Filter : ON PEQ Fc 829 Hz Gain 2,02 dB BW Oct 1,441
Filter : ON PEQ Fc 1674 Hz Gain 3,13 dB BW Oct 0,930
Filter : ON PEQ Fc 3613 Hz Gain -1,99 dB BW Oct 0,930
Filter : ON PEQ Fc 5598 Hz Gain 3,43 dB BW Oct 0,964
Filter : ON PEQ Fc 9024 Hz Gain -6,45 dB BW Oct 0,500
Filter : ON PEQ Fc 12089 Hz Gain 16,38 dB BW Oct 0,694
Filter : ON PEQ Fc 16294 Hz Gain 3,44 dB BW Oct 0,307

 


You can save this to say as "pre-filt.txt" and include it in config.txt (add line Include: pre-filt.txt).