[Pianist718]

So I now have the HD598 and I want to start exploring a bit into a higher tier headphones like HD600, HD800, HiFiMan-500, DT880, etc
 
I don't want to spend $500+ on an amp and yet I want something that is not going to be a joke when powering up those headphones. So my question is ... which AMP is worthy to work with any of those models, under $500 and yet still give them enough justice?
 
Anytime I look at $100 amps VS $3,000 I understand that there must be a huge difference in sound quality.

 

[Pianist718]

is plugging headphones into my Denon 4311ci receiver going to be the same as any mid priced headphones amp???

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Is plugging headphones into my Denon 4311ci receiver going to be the same as any mid priced headphones amp???

If you already have the Denon 4311ci, might as well take advantage of it for driving headphones.
Do you currently plug the HD598s into the Denon?
What is your whole audio setup?

 

[Pianist718]

  If you already have the Denon 4311ci, might as well take advantage of it for driving headphones.
Do you currently plug the HD598s into the Denon?
What is your whole audio setup?

 
the HD598 are plugged into my PC. Regular sound card ... seems to be doing just fine in terms of volume.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  The HD598 are plugged into my PC. Regular sound card ... seems to be doing just fine in terms of volume.

So you could run an optical cable from the computer to the Denon.

 

[Pianist718]

ok, so if I want to avoid buying an amp, upgrading my stock sound card will add noticeable improvement? if so, which card would you suggest?

 

[PurpleAngel]

  ok, so if I want to avoid buying an amp, upgrading my stock sound card will add noticeable improvement? if so, which card would you suggest?

Cheapest with a decent DAC chip (CS4398) an Asus Xonar DX or D1 sound card.
Dolby Headphone surround sound could be sent by the Xonar to the Denon.

 

[Pianist718]

So...i found some sound cards ... what would these do with my HD598???
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/PCI-Express-Channel-XONAR_DX-XD-90-YAA060-1UAN00Z/dp/B0017DJXG6
 
http://www.amazon.com/PCI-Express-XONAR-ESSENCE-STX-90-YAA0C0-0UAN00Z/dp/B001OV789U/ref=zg_bs_284823_7
 
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Gaming-Control-SB1510/dp/B00AQ5PK6I/ref=zg_bs_284823_12
 
http://www.amazon.com/Xonar-Essence-24-bit-192KHz-Interface/dp/B002UVME88/ref=zg_bs_284823_34
 
is this a better solution than a portable amp? one of those $110 ones.?
Will this really have an effect on my headphones or is it all in our heads?
 
thanks.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  So...i found some sound cards ... what would these do with my HD598???
 
 
http://www.amazon.com/PCI-Express-Channel-XONAR_DX-XD-90-YAA060-1UAN00Z/dp/B0017DJXG6
 
http://www.amazon.com/PCI-Express-XONAR-ESSENCE-STX-90-YAA0C0-0UAN00Z/dp/B001OV789U/ref=zg_bs_284823_7
 
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Gaming-Control-SB1510/dp/B00AQ5PK6I/ref=zg_bs_284823_12
 
http://www.amazon.com/Xonar-Essence-24-bit-192KHz-Interface/dp/B002UVME88/ref=zg_bs_284823_34
 
is this a better solution than a portable amp? one of those $110 ones.?
Will this really have an effect on my headphones or is it all in our heads?

The first one listed is good for working with the Denon.
The other three come with the same built in headphone amplifier chip (TI 6120A2) and could easily drive the 50-Ohm HD558 on their own (no need for the Denon).
 
This might be a better choice.
The Audio-GD NFB 15.32 external DAC/amp is $255+shipping.
Comes with dual WM8741 DAC chips
and a more powerful headphone amplifier then the one (TI 6120A2) built into the sound cards.
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm
 
I've been using one for the past month and it will be replacing my Essence STX sound card.

 

[Pianist718]

  The first one listed is good for working with the Denon.
The other three come with the same built in headphone amplifier chip (TI 6120A2) and could easily drive the 50-Ohm HD558 on their own (no need for the Denon).
 
This might be a better choice.
The Audio-GD NFB 15.32 external DAC/amp is $255+shipping.
Comes with dual WM8741 DAC chips
and a more powerful headphone amplifier then the one (TI 6120A2) built into the sound cards.
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm
 
I've been using one for the past month and it will be replacing my Essence STX sound card.

 
great info, thanks.
so you think that even thought I love the sound I get now from HD598, doing this $240 upgrade will improve audio quality that is noticeable?
will this option make these headphones sound better than those popular portable amps like the E17, etc?
 
what about these boys
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6n2-fu32-Class-A-HIFI-Tube-Valve-Amplifier-Headphone-Amp-110V-220V-1PC-/321163179540?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4ac6d13614
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Little-Dot-MK-III-Headphone-Tube-Amplifier-PreAmp-tube-AMPLIFIER-2x6H6N-NEW-/120792045764?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item1c1fc458c4

 

[PurpleAngel]

   
great info, thanks.
so you think that even thought I love the sound I get now from HD598, doing this $240 upgrade will improve audio quality that is noticeable?
will this option make these headphones sound better than those popular portable amps like the E17, etc?
 
what about these boys
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6n2-fu32-Class-A-HIFI-Tube-Valve-Amplifier-Headphone-Amp-110V-220V-1PC-/321163179540?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4ac6d13614
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Little-Dot-MK-III-Headphone-Tube-Amplifier-PreAmp-tube-AMPLIFIER-2x6H6N-NEW-/120792045764?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item1c1fc458c4

The NFB-15.32 should improve audio quality with the HD598, over what you have now.
But I was really recommending the NFB-15.32 for future headphones.
 
I know zero about the 6n2 tube amplifier.
The Little Dot MKIII gets good feedback.
They are both amp only, you still might need to invest into a DAC.

 

[Thisdale]

I use Sennheiser 265HDLinear and when i ran them through an HIFIMAN EF-6, it was quite an interesting experience. That amp is not too expensive. Just sayin'

 

[Pianist718]

I just compared running HD598 via Computer versus connecting it to my Denon 4311 receiver ............ surprisingly, computer sounds better. Receiver made the sound not as clear and a bit more bassy (not in a good way)