[Dackzy]

I am looking for a good amp for my HE-400i when I get them. I am willing to pay up to 200$ and it would be nice if I could buy it in EU.

 

[JoeDoe]

  I am looking for a good amp for my HE-400i when I get them. I am willing to pay up to 200$ and it would be nice if I could buy it in EU.

What is your source? The 400i are pretty easy to drive, even with something as small as a smartphone. Depending on your source, you might experience a better upgrade in SQ if you went with an amp/DAC combo.

 

[Dackzy]

Asus Formula VI...

  What is your source? The 400i are pretty easy to drive, even with something as small as a smartphone. Depending on your source, you might experience a better upgrade in SQ if you went with an amp/DAC combo.

 

[JoeDoe]

I don't know much about sound cards, but since the HE400i doesn't need a lot of extra power to sound good, I'd look at a USB DAC/amp like the audioquest dragonfly or audioengine D3.

 

[Dackzy]

I don't know much about sound cards, but since the HE400i doesn't need a lot of extra power to sound good, I'd look at a USB DAC/amp like the audioquest dragonfly or audioengine D3.

Well I can find Epiphany Accoustics EHP-02 (O2 + ODAC) for 130$ used, but I don't know how good that combo is.

 

[JoeDoe]

  Well I can find Epiphany Accoustics EHP-02 (O2 + ODAC) for 130$ used, but I don't know how good that combo is.

The O2/ODAC combo is an excellent all-in-one. Can't go wrong. Plenty of power and a very capable DAC built in.

 

[Dackzy]

  The O2/ODAC combo is an excellent all-in-one. Can't go wrong. Plenty of power and a very capable DAC built in.

Hmm I think that I will buy it then.

 

[The Puddle]

Used an Epiphany Acoustics EHP-02i with my HE-400i when I owned the pair. Worked just fine. 

 

[12many]

Might check out the Asgard 2. 

 

[Dackzy]

  Might check out the Asgard 2. 

Is it really worth paying two times as much for a Asgard 2 vs getting the O2 and ODAC for half the price of the Asgard 2?

 

[JoeDoe]

  Is it really worth paying two times as much for a Asgard 2 vs getting the O2 and ODAC for half the price of the Asgard 2?

For this specific case, I would say no...
 
You won't notice much of an upgrade over the O2/ODAC unless you spend $$$.

 

[Dackzy]

  For this specific case, I would say no...
 
You won't notice much of an upgrade over the O2/ODAC unless you spend $$$.

Yeah I am just going to get the O2 ODAC combo.

 

[fjrabon]

I honestly liked the Schiit Fulla more than the O2/ODAC with the HE400i.  I thought the O2/ODAC was a little bit harsh with the HE400i, at least in comparison.  I thought the Fulla was nice and punchy.  However, the Fulla is a bit more susceptible to noise from a bad USB port, which may or may not be an issue with your computer.

 

[Dackzy]

  I honestly liked the Schiit Fulla more than the O2/ODAC with the HE400i.  I thought the O2/ODAC was a little bit harsh with the HE400i, at least in comparison.  I thought the Fulla was nice and punchy.  However, the Fulla is a bit more susceptible to noise from a bad USB port, which may or may not be an issue with your computer.

Harsh in what way?
I can raise my max to 300$ if that helps.

 

[fjrabon]

  Harsh in what way?
I can raise my max to 300$ if that helps.

I always thought the O2's THD profile was biased towards higher order harmonics, making them harsh without necessarily being non-neutral.  This was exacerbated because the HE400i isn't the smoothest headphone out there.