Looking for a few answers and a bit of advice

[solessthanthree]

Hey guys. I've been hanging around here for a while... actually, closer to an unhealthy amount over the last week (but I'm sure that's normal

)

Anyways, I'm planning to pick up my first set of headphones, the DT770s, and I've been doing some frantic research trying to figure out what to pick up along with them.

Being a college student, I can't really afford anything in the high range area, I just wanted to get started, so I was looking at the LD I+, MKII, and MKIII, (at first I was looking at the CORDA HEADSIX but I from what I read, I wanted to shy away from the portable amp to begin with). My budget's around 100-200 for the amp (I might look for something in the For Sale forum) so I was wondering if anyone would give me any advice on what to look for.

I plan to use the setup on my desktop, which has a soundcard and was wondering if the amp usually comes with an IC or if I would need to pick that up separately. Would DAC be entirely necessary at this point or would I even be able to tell in the beginning?

I guess my ultimate question is that, if I just pick up the headphones and amp would I be able to start listening immediately or would I need to pick up anything else?

Thanks in advance!

 

[manofmathematics]

You don't even need the amp to start listening immediately. Just plug the cans in to your soundcard.

Now, to better the sound, start with a smaller DAC with a headphone out, like the Zero, and add on an amp when your budget allows. Really though, just a tiny bit stretching and start off with the DAC and an affordable option from Little Dot, which you're looking at, and you may just get bitten by that damn bug.

 

[solessthanthree]

Thanks for the response! :]

I checked out the zero and it looks like a great value for a beginner rig for someone like myself.

So what you're saying is that I should grab something like the Zero for DAC (which would also act as an amp for the time being, right?) which I could then connect to an amp in the future when I decide to upgrade?

If that's the case, where/who's the official retailer for the Zero and what sort of cables would I need to pick up?

Thanks again! :]