[eraser_svk]

Hi everyone,

I am fresh-new owner of HD 555, connected into Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24bit external.

I am thinking about upgrade of my source components, but I am not sure, which components to focus on. Headphone amp, or better soundcard ? Will be EMU 0202 USB ok ? Does it have enough power to fully drive HD 555 ? Will be the sound-difference audible, or worth the money ?

Thanks in advance

 

[Chipp]

Personally, I'd upgrade your source before amplification. The HD555s are not particularly demanding headphones, so while they will benefit from an amp it would not be as drastic a change as a new source.

 

[KarateKid]

I'll second that advice, source first amp later.

 

[jilgiljongiljing]

Creative SB LIve 24bit External is just a truck load of jargon. No offense but its a terrible sounding source, I have one and it has been collecting dust for a long time.

There is one good thing it does though, connect it to 5.1 speakers and with CMSS, its pretty good for gaming, and maybe occasional movie watching. But for music it just doesnt cut it.

 

[eraser_svk]

Thx for answers. You confirmed my guess. Now, which soundcard to pick ? Will EMU 0202 be enough to drive HD 555 ?

EMU 0202 amp :

Headphone Amplifier
Type: Class-A power amplifier
D/A converter: CS4392 (shared with Line Out)
Gain Range: 60dB
Maximum Output Power: 16mW
Output Impedance: 22ohms
Frequency Response (20Hz-20kHz): +0.02/-0.08dB
Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 110dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 108dB
THD+N (1kHz, max gain): 300ohm load: -98dB (.0013%)
Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS, 300 ohm load): <-91dB

will those 16mW be enough? I can say, that Creative SB LIve 24bit External has more than enough power, but i dont know, how much mW is it.

Or, is there some audible difference between 0202 and 0404 ?

0404 has 20mW output, which is not so powerful, but more than 16mW

EMU 0404 amp :

Headphone Amplifier
Type: Class-A power amplifier
D/A converter: AK4396 (shared with Line Out)
Gain Range: 60dB
Maximum Output Power: 20mW
Output Impedance: 22ohms
Frequency Response (20Hz-20kHz): +0.06/-0.035dB
Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 114dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 114dB
THD+N (1kHz, max gain): 600ohm load: -95.5dB (.0018%)
Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS, 600 ohm load): < -85dB

 

[jilgiljongiljing]

EMU 0202 will be more than enough, while the amp isnt as good as a dedicated solution, its more than enough for most headphones and drives them all pretty well. You wont be dissapointed.

 

[DarkScorpion]

Agreed. Another idea is to go with a decent cheap portable amp (PA2V2? Pimeta?) along with a new, slightly cheaper card. At least this way, you have that portable option open

 

[MrKazador]

^ That is another option. If you can find a chaintech av-710 and a good cheap amp your good to go!

 

[TSi]

I'd go for a usb dac/amp combo. ie... ibasso D1 or something similar.
its good for portable use, and its good for home use, eliminating all the static and stuff.

 

[eraser_svk]

okey, EMU 0202 is going to be my next stop

thanks for help !

 

[legcramp]

My HD555 barely responds to amping so I think a source would be great for your situation.

 

[vvvvvv]

I see a lot of you guys in this thread know a lot about the HD555, I'm thinking of buying them so I have a question. I know they're not closed, so how loud is exactly the noise that comes out from them? Is it really that noticeable? Will it disturb someone in the room? Please detail, as in volume level etc. Much appreciated!

I am also using SB Live! 24-bit and I need to change it, but I am unable to get the EMU 0202 or that Chaintech AV710 you mentioned. So what other cheaper cards would you recommend? What would be the cheapest one to do the trick?

 

[eraser_svk]

Yes, the sound leaking from them is quite notable. But of course, it depends on your listening volume. Personally, I have no problem with it. On my listening volumes, the noise is barely noticeable, neither disturbing. But there is a question, whether people in the room wouldn't disturb you. For open headphones, silence is a very important thing

As for the soundcard, you should check the Audiotrak Prodigy HD2. It has changeable OP amps, so there are different version available (and they also sound different).

 

[vvvvvv]

Cool thanks. Now I can either buy Audiotrak Prodigy HD2, or Audiotrak Prodigy 7.1 HiFi, which one should I get? They're exactly the same price.

 

[vvvvvv]

No one knows eh...