How noticeable would a FiiO E11 amp be with HD598's or comparable pair of headphones?

[point3six]

Would it really make that much of a difference versus unamped?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

Would it really make that much of a difference versus unamped?

Yes, it should make a difference.
Also a good DAC to go along with the E11 would help too.
What source(s) were you going to be hooking the E11 to?
 
 

 

[point3six]

iPod, macbook pro.
 
What combo would you recommend in terms of amps+DACS+LODS. I also have grado sr 80's and hd25's. Hip hop, jazz, soul is what I primarily listen to.

 

[point3six]

I also have never used an amp before, so I'm just curious if something like that would have more than just minimal improvement. People act as if amps unleash headphones in general. How noticeable will it be for someone just looking for a strong driver, detail, vast soundstage, bass improvement. Is there a "wow" factor with amps?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

iPod, Macbook pro.
What combo would you recommend in terms of amps+DACS+LODS. I also have grado sr 80's and hd25's. Hip hop, jazz, soul is what I primarily listen to.

To use an external DAC, the source device (iPod, Macbook Pro, etc.) has to have a digital output, like optical, coaxial, USB,
which your iPod lacks. I'm sure your Macbook does have digital output (like USB).
Fiio makes their "L" cables that can connect to the LOD (line Out Device) on apple products. 
Fiio "L" series cables allows you access to the analog audio of your apple device before it is sent to the analog output (like headphone amplifier) of that apple device.
This is a cleaner analog signal to use for the external headphone amplifier (Fiio E11).
So the Fiio E11 headphone amplifier and a Fiio "L" cable (like L1 or L3) would improve the sound of your HD-598 headphones over the headphone outputs of your apple devices.
Built in headphone amplifiers are usually low cost parts that only do a decent job, headphones in the 16-Ohm to 80-Ohm range
Where as the E11 can work with headphones in the 16-Ohm to 300-Ohm range.
The Senn HD598 is only 50-Ohms, but you can see the E11 is designed to work well with headphones more demanding, then the apple products.
 
 

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I also have never used an amp before, so I'm just curious if something like that would have more than just minimal improvement. People act as if amps unleash headphones in general. How noticeable will it be for someone just looking for a strong driver, detail, vast sound stage, bass improvement. Is there a "wow" factor with amps?

Think of amplifiers as science, with a little "art" thrown in.
Different people have different "sounds" types that they like (or enjoy).
Solid state amplifiers are more "logical", you know what you put in and have a good idea on how it comes out.
Tube amplifier, Tubes are made all over the world, a model 6922 tube made in Russia, will not sound exactly the same as a 6922 tube made in the USA, or a 6922 tube made in China.
Also tubes put out a second harmonic that gives sound described as "warmth" and "soul".
Tubes also change sound when lots of voltage is used, makes me think of Jimmy Hendrix for some reason.
You can also swap tubes on an amplifier (in 10 seconds) to change the sound.
 
Usually low cost ($20-$50?) and low Ohm (32 to 65-Ohm) headphone do not change much when hooked up to a headphone amplifier.
When you up the Impedence (Ohm), to something like 300-Ohm or even 600-Ohm, it gives the amplifier better control over the signal sent to the diaphragm in the speaker/headphone, so better sound.
But there are also really good sounding (and expensive) 25-Ohm to 62-Ohm headphones, usually these are higher "current" types.
 
Solid state amplifiers are usually cheaper to make and more reliable then tube amplifiers.
 
Most headphone jacks in the world are cheap and low cost (crude?).
So adding a decent headphone amplifier brings out the best in better quality headphones.
 
So anyway, the E11 should be a good match for the HD-598.

 

[Roller]

Quote:

Think of amplifiers as science, with a little "art" thrown in.
Different people have different "sounds" types that they like (or enjoy).
Solid state amplifiers are more "logical", you know what you put in and have a good idea on how it comes out.
Tube amplifier, Tubes are made all over the world, a model 6922 tube made in Russia, will not sound exactly the same as a 6922 tube made in the USA, or a 6922 tube made in China.
Also tubes put out a second harmonic that gives sound described as "warmth" and "soul".
Tubes also change sound when lots of voltage is used, makes me think of Jimmy Hendrix for some reason.
You can also swap tubes on an amplifier (in 10 seconds) to change the sound.
 
Usually low cost ($20-$50?) and low Ohm (32 to 65-Ohm) headphone do not change much when hooked up to a headphone amplifier.
When you up the Impedence (Ohm), to something like 300-Ohm or even 600-Ohm, it gives the amplifier better control over the signal sent to the diaphragm in the speaker/headphone, so better sound.
But there are also really good sounding (and expensive) 25-Ohm to 62-Ohm headphones, usually these are higher "current" types.
 
Solid state amplifiers are usually cheaper to make and more reliable then tube amplifiers.
 
Most headphone jacks in the world are cheap and low cost (crude?).
So adding a decent headphone amplifier brings out the best in better quality headphones.
 
So anyway, the E11 should be a good match for the HD-598.

 
Someone give this guy a cookie, he put up great descriptions. I especially liked the Jimmy Hendrix reference

 

[Frosty3258]

The hd598 had an independence of 50oms at 1000 hz, three are spikes of up to 300oms on the lower end so the low end really steps up.

 

[Bassheadspl]

The fiio e11 amplifier should make a remarkable difference to adding more bass to your headphones, thanks to the bass booster switch. Also the fiio e11 will also provide more volume as well, if compared to an unamped setup. So overall its a investment to make for a better audio experience in my opinion.

 

[Sonic Defender]

For what it is worth I used my E11 with an iPod 5th gen through the LOD cable to drive HD650s and I was really surprised how decent the sound quality was.

 

[Frosty3258]

I have the e11 for the 598's and am unimpressed. They did improve but it was not a 60 dollar improvement, though the bass boost may be good for bass heads they handle it very well