[radiojam]

This is a very subjective question, but I'm wondering if my mid-range gear is up to the task of bringing out the most of an iMod. I have a Sennheiser HD595 and I'm 87% sure I've decided on a Little Dot MK III tube amp for it.

Compared to a stock line-out with a decent LOD, Do you think the iMod only reaches an worthwhile potential with a higher-end setup, since if I do decide on the iMod, my wallet will not allow many upgrades for a while.

 

[mrdeadfolx]

If I can suggest anything.....I'd say the imod should be the last thing one buys for their high-end portable setup. Ive been told it DOES make a difference, but not nearly the difference a set of new headphones might make for the same price.

 

[Superpredator]

I agree with mrdeadfolx. Higher-tier headphones will do more to improve your sound than the iMod will in your setup. I don't know anything about your amp, but from my 595 experience it's probably capable of producing better sound with better cans.

 

[mcmyers]

I agree that headphones will almost always make a bigger difference in sound than any other piece of a rig. But as someone who's currently listening to 595s with a 4g iMod + hornet combo, I have to say that it sounds very nice.

And though 595s are generally considered a noob can, there's a vocal minority (including Tyll Hertsens of HeadRoom and Davesrose the Sennheiser guru) who believe the 595s actually scale up very well. So improving the source for 595s might not be a waste of money.

There's also something to be said for the security of knowing you have a high quality source. Personally, I'd rather finish my search for a source and amp first and then spend the rest of my time trying out different headphones.