Headphone Amp Gain for low impedance cans - how much is too much?

[Cheffy]

I bought the dragonfly black recently and found that it made some very notable improvements to my low impedance and high sensitivty headphones (NAD Viso HP50s: 32 Ohm sensitivity= 106.3 dB at 1 mW, Brainwavz HM5s: 64 ohms, sensitivity= 105 dB at 1 mW). I'd like to keep the DFB for portable/work use, and buy a dedicated amp/DAC for my desktop at home.

The DAC is currently undecided (maybe the Grace SDAC once it comes back on Massdrop). The amp I've nailed it down to the Schiit Magni 3 and the Massdrop O2 Objective Rev. B. The O2 offers 1x/3.3x gain, while the Magni offers 2x/7x gain. I'm wondering if even 2x gain is too much for my headphones. Eventually I might buy a pair of HD650s, so the gain of 3.3x on the O2 should be plenty for the future.

The Schiit looks lovely and professional. However, being in Canada, the O2 will cost me considerably less right now than the Schiit due to expensive shipping from Schiit and cheap shipping by Massdrop, so I'm leaning to the O2 which is currently in stock.

Thoughts?

 

[cossix]

Both are good amps, I wouldn't worry about gain. Both will drive 300 ohm Senn's easily.

 

[nordkapp]

Both are ridiculously easy loads to drive. Magni gets my vote.

 

[cossix]

Both are ridiculously easy loads to drive. Magni gets my vote.

Mine as well

 

[Cheffy]

Just to clarify - the low gain setting on the Magni (2x gain) won't be too much for my sensitive phones? I'm concerned that I'll need to keep the volume so low that I will get channel imbalance problems that have been described for these types of amps.

 

[cossix]

Just to clarify - the low gain setting on the Magni (2x gain) won't be too much for my sensitive phones? I'm concerned that I'll need to keep the volume so low that I will get channel imbalance problems that have been described for these types of amps.

I doubt it'd cause channel problems but I'd try to find somebody who has used IEMs with the Magni

 

[nordkapp]

Just to clarify - the low gain setting on the Magni (2x gain) won't be too much for my sensitive phones? I'm concerned that I'll need to keep the volume so low that I will get channel imbalance problems that have been described for these types of amps.

Actually, I'd send that question straight to Schiit. I'm quite sure you're fine but to be on the safe side. Unless someone else here has more knowledge. They are fast to answer email.

 

[cossix]

Actually, I'd send that question straight to Schiit. I'm quite sure you're fine but to be on the safe side. Unless someone else here has more knowledge. They are fast to answer email.

I have my Magni 2 lying around and I have a pair of E10c but I have no working 1/8 to 1/4" adapter -.-

 

[Cheffy]

Thanks for all the quick replies and input. After some deliberation, and input from a couple of members, I've decided that the Magni 3 at low gain would probably be overkill and not allow for good volume tuning. I checked in with O2 options and JDS has b-stock available in the price range I was considering, plus free shipping due to cyber monday. At $182 USD shipped I couldn't resist picking up the OL DAC and Objective 2 amp. Kudos to John at JDS for quick responses to my questions,

 

[Oscar-HiFi]

Thanks for all the quick replies and input. After some deliberation, and input from a couple of members, I've decided that the Magni 3 at low gain would probably be overkill and not allow for good volume tuning. I checked in with O2 options and JDS has b-stock available in the price range I was considering, plus free shipping due to cyber monday. At $182 USD shipped I couldn't resist picking up the OL DAC and Objective 2 amp. Kudos to John at JDS for quick responses to my questions,

Excellent choice

 

[Cheffy]

That's a nice setup! While the Magni 3 looks quite attractive, I actually quite like the black utilitarian look of the objective DAC/amp. Which headphones are those? They look amazing. Is that some kind of patterned maple?

I notice you have the 1/4" adapter on your O2. I contemplated it - makes sense to keep a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter in there so the plugging/unplugging mostly wears it out instead of the jack. But I admit I cheaped out and selected the 1/8" input since the 1/4" option added $30 to the cost! I might just get a short M-F 1/8" cable that I keep inserted and use that to connect to my phones. Not sure if it's worth the trouble though.

 

[Oscar-HiFi]

That's a nice setup! While the Magni 3 looks quite attractive, I actually quite like the black utilitarian look of the objective DAC/amp. Which headphones are those? They look amazing. Is that some kind of patterned maple?

I notice you have the 1/4" adapter on your O2. I contemplated it - makes sense to keep a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter in there so the plugging/unplugging mostly wears it out instead of the jack. But I admit I cheaped out and selected the 1/8" input since the 1/4" option added $30 to the cost! I might just get a short M-F 1/8" cable that I keep inserted and use that to connect to my phones. Not sure if it's worth the trouble though.

They are a custom Grado build, with Spalted Tamarind cups and Symphones V8 drivers

It's a home built O2 with RCA in andout on the back and 1/4" jack as I am only going to use it at home.

Don't worry about the socket, it takes a long long time to wear one out.

 

[Cheffy]

They are a custom Grado build, with Spalted Tamarind cups and Symphones V8 drivers

It's a home built O2 with RCA in andout on the back and 1/4" jack as I am only going to use it at home.

Don't worry about the socket, it takes a long long time to wear one out.

Well done on the home build - I'd love to do it, but I have a terribly unsteady hand, so soldering is a challenge for me!