[nibiyabi]

You may be right, but saying that your DAC is driving your headphones still isn't accurate. It's the amp in your amp/DAC combo that is driving your headphones.

 

[VR6ofpain]

My sounds fine straight out of my Slim-X iMP-350. You just don't have a lot of volume.

 

[Hoppergrass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Between this and the "has anyone tried converting the HD650 to an open design" thread, I'd really like to know your source for chemical fun cotdt.

eesh. someone needs a head-fi dictionary

 

[Superpredator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotdt /img/forum/go_quote.gif as are most DACs today, so an amp is not needed, just like i said.

Nah, this still just isn't true. A lot of the ones coming out of China seem to have a built-in amp, but I bet if you compiled a list of the DACs commonly mentioned on Head-Fi the majority would be plain old DACs.

 

[kramer5150]

IMHO it sounds best with robust amplification. It'll certainly make noise under-amped, but its no fun like that.
IMHO of course.

 

[camille]

there are subtle differences resolved when using a headphone amp for the K501s, that being said they do sound ok unamped, but using an amp would further justify its use.

of course your ears may not agree though...