[Just Josh]

Hey guys, great site. Anyway I just got a pair of sennheiser HD 590's and like them very much, however my 30g 4th gen ipod does not have enough power to drive them and I was just wonderin if anyone could recommend a good amp for the two. Nothing too expensive though, Limit probably be $150 or so although I'll save up if people think I should get a better one

Thanks.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Josh Hey guys, great site. Anyway I just got a pair of sennheiser HD 590's and like them very much, however my 30g 4th gen ipod does not have enough power to drive them and I was just wonderin if anyone could recommend a good amp for the two. Nothing too expensive though, Limit probably be $150 or so although I'll save up if people think I should get a better one Thanks.

I think the best I have heard for $150 would be a Headroom Airhead if you want portable, or maybe a Xenos 3HA if it's more for home use, in that price range.

I like the Meier Porta Corda better than both, but it's $200.

 

[milkpowder]

Xin Supermini-III $200

Headroom Airhead $150

PA2V2 $70-$100

Portaphile V2^2 $189 Standard, $234 Maxed.

IMO, the Maxed Portaphile V2^2 is a very good deal considering the hi-quality components used...

Go to the amp forum for more info!

 

[jagorev]

PA2v2, $60 or so
Go-Vibe, around $80-$100

 

[sgrossklass]

4G iPod not enough power to drive HD590s?!

I mean, my little iAudio G3 with its humble single AA cell and Sigmatel chip (OK OK, it seems the latter does use an internal DC-DC converter, but still...) will power my HD590s easily, with me typically using volume settings of 20..25 out of 40. (In a fairly quiet home setting, of course, big open cans are nothing to walk around with outside.)

 

[Skylab]

Just for kicks, I just plugged my HD590's directly into the headphone out of my 4G iPod (the one WITHOUT the Red Wine Audio mod

), and at max volume on the iPod, it's LOUD, well beyond safe listening levels. An amp would likely help provide better sound, but be careful about how loud you are playing things! The iPod will produce plenty of volume with the HD590's.

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Josh Hey guys, great site. Anyway I just got a pair of sennheiser HD 590's and like them very much, however my 30g 4th gen ipod does not have enough power to drive them and I was just wonderin if anyone could recommend a good amp for the two. Nothing too expensive though, Limit probably be $150 or so although I'll save up if people think I should get a better one Thanks.

Just another option would be getting A900, these headphones don't need an amp. Or the difference with adding an amp is very very small. Nice thing about this option is you aren't have to carry an amp around with ipod. Just a thought.

-Chris

 

[Just Josh]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm gonna try the 590's again with my ipod, it could be because certain songs are recorded at different volime levels on my ipod and some are extremely low while others are loud as hell. Thanks again, I will definately look at those amps recommeneded

 

[catscratch]

The 590 really doesn't have as stiff of an amp requirement as most other phones that we recommend here; a simple PA2V2 is going to be enough for them. A Portaphile V2 will really open them up and give them good sound, though the bass might be too much (if there is such a thing as too much bass

)

In any case, an amp is not just a way to raise volume. The 590's really need one to reach their maximum potential.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by catscratch The 590 really doesn't have as stiff of an amp requirement as most other phones that we recommend here; a simple PA2V2 is going to be enough for them. A Portaphile V2 will really open them up and give them good sound, though the bass might be too much (if there is such a thing as too much bass ) In any case, an amp is not just a way to raise volume. The 590's really need one to reach their maximum potential.

VERY well put. I totally agree.

 

[needmoretoys]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab VERY well put. I totally agree.

I agree also. My HD590 can easily be driven by my iAudio X5L at levels between 25 and 30, but it lacks the dynamics and soundstage that I know it is capable of. I ordered a PA2V2 a couple of days ago to use with this combo. The X5L does drive my HD25-1 very well though at about level 20-22.