[Jonasklam]

Hello again fellow Head-fi'ers.

I have run into problem! I have spent waaay too much money these past months.

I have the K701 as my main listening can and the Phonak PFE for on the go listening. My problem is that i need super cheap amp and DAC that can drive the k701 effeciently.
Any amp+DAC goes as long as they can drive the k701 (and is extremly cheap!!) - any suggestions.

I live in the EU and my source is my MacBook

Please keep in mind that I plan to get the Heed CanAmp or Gilmore Lite but I'm simply out of budget for now. I just need something in the mean time, cus the k701 really isn't worth it without an amp, but please don't recommend the Heed or M³ amp or other high end products. Cus i know that, don't kick me while I'm down

 

[Hygienist]

Roughly $100 depending on how much you pay for the amp.

Valve Class A Tube Headphone Amplifier pre Bravo VC i - eBay (item 260520747101 end time Dec-10-09 03:00:26 PST)

HI-FI Mini DAC TDA1543 DIR9001 NOS DAC - eBay (item 280424779701 end time Dec-16-09 12:06:48 PST)

That's *if* the tube amp plays nice with K702's, someone call me out if it's a bad match.

Otherwise, you can go for this.
HOTAUDIO BIT-PERFECT USB DAC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER AMP - eBay (item 280432900893 end time Dec-09-09 19:01:00 PST)

 

[bik2101]

from what i've read... there are no cheap amps that will drive/sound good with the 701/702. i might be totally wrong here but from what i have read, buying the 701/702 means you will need to spend another at least 200+ on an amp

 

[bik2101]

and that's just an amp.. for an amp/dac combo, idk but probably would cost even more seeing as how you would want the dac feature too.

 

[Hygienist]

Searched through the bravo thread and this guy seems to like it:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/bra...ml#post6158337

There's some review quote on the eBay page of someone with the K702 as well.

 

[Mr C]

The bravo is a fun gadget nothing more.
For a cheap dac/amp you can try the ef2 but it doesnt seem to be very good with the akgs.
Your only option would be to buy a diy and used from the FS forums.

 

[Prog Rock Man]

I have not heard this the Firestone Fireye2

Fireye2

but at 79euros it is the cheapest combined DAC and amp I know of. It claims to be able to drive even the biggest of headphones. I have the Firestone Fubar DAC and Supplier and both are excellent.

 

[fenixdown110]

I doubt any budget amp will be able to drive the K701's properly.

 

[Jonasklam]

Woaw the Fireye2 looks very interesting, thx.
But i highly doubt that they will drive the k701. I'm beginning to realize that maybe i just have to wait till i get the money for an proper amp. It's just soo sad the see the k701 just stand there - not being able to use them without an amp :/.

 

[Armaegis]

I recently picked up a vintage receiver to use as a headphone amp. Much around on the classifieds and flea/pawn shops and pick one up for $20

 

[Prog Rock Man]

My FiiO E5 portable amp does a not bad at all job of coping with the K702s and the Fireye sepcifically states headphone ohms 32-600 working range. No, it will not be as good as a full sized amp/DAC, but it is going to better than 'soo sad' position you are in.

 

[Jonasklam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prog Rock Man /img/forum/go_quote.gif My FiiO E5 portable amp does a not bad at all job of coping with the K702s and the Fireye sepcifically states headphone ohms 32-600 working range. No, it will not be as good as a full sized amp/DAC, but it is going to better than 'soo sad' position you are in.

Woaw, very cool - I have a Fiio E5 laying around and I tried it out. You are right, considering the price of the E5 it acually does a good job. Now I really look forward to getting a great amp, seing how much these phones benefits from amping. Cool!

Anyway, a funny thing happend too. I plugged in the E5 with usb cable so that i could charge up (cus i was totally out for battery - never use it). Then i plugged in the k701 and after playing for little over 1 min the E5 was out of battery. First i thought - "what just happend! Did they break my phones!" LOL

 

[fenixdown110]

K701/2's are power hungry. They require a lot of current to be driven correctly.

 

[Jonasklam]

They sure do, but now I can see their potential - which i really couldn't before hearing them without amp at all. I really look forward to a proper amp for them

But seriously, I acually thought the the E5 would make the k701 sound worse cus I consider the E3 more of a gadget (or even a toy) than a an amp.

 

[fenixdown110]

Any amping will make the K701's sound better, even if it's just for a minute.

Can you leave it plugged in to the wall?