drewvoros
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2012
- Posts
- 11
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- 0
Hi Head-Fiers
New here and a newbie in this headphone game. Currently rocking (for the past 2 yrs) a set of Shure SRH 440s and since jumping aboard the Head-Fi community, just about a week ago, will be receiving replacement SRH940 ear pads for the Shures (the comfort difference will be a godsend!!! So glad I found the community!) and also my first dip into the open back headphone world with a pair of Sennheiser HD558s coming in the mail too. Two new purchases in less then a week from joining the community!
Well now I'm interested in tip-toeing into the headphone amp and DAC world. Like I said I am completely new to all of the this and have been reading as much info as I can. So I want to jump in and see what's the difference, what's the big deal, isn't straight out the headphone jack enough?!? Currently I listen to all my music (as I'm sure you can already guess) through my laptop (Macbook Pro) or iPhone 4 output through their built in headphone jacks. As for music I mostly focus on singer/songwriter, acoustic, pop/rock, vocals, some orchestral. I do enjoy the occasional Dubstep drops
So here are my questions:
Precursor: From my reading, I think I sort of understand the notion that headphone amps, though having the ability to increase volume of the headphone, its main purpose is improve audio quality of a headphone.
1. The big difference, is it that noticeable? Bear in mind I don't want to delve too deep into an amp (budget-wise) as I'm just starting out, so let's say I'm purchasing the Headroom BitHead or a Fiio product.
2. Does the DAC (let's say on the BitHead or any headphone amp/DAC combination as that's what I'll be considering) affect EQ settings from my source, as in will I still be able to control it via my computer or player, or does the DAC just take over with it's own signature (see how I just used a Head-Fi big audio boy term!
). For instance I really enjoy the Jazz EQ setting via iTunes, will I still be able to use it?
Also feel free to chime in on BitHead ($150) or other amp/DAC beginner setups recommendations at around the same price. I will be listening via desktop on my laptop mostly so portability is not the main issue, it's price and beginner friendliness! I will no doubt still be obsessively reading all the review threads here.
Thanks again for opening up the world of audio for a newbie!
New here and a newbie in this headphone game. Currently rocking (for the past 2 yrs) a set of Shure SRH 440s and since jumping aboard the Head-Fi community, just about a week ago, will be receiving replacement SRH940 ear pads for the Shures (the comfort difference will be a godsend!!! So glad I found the community!) and also my first dip into the open back headphone world with a pair of Sennheiser HD558s coming in the mail too. Two new purchases in less then a week from joining the community!
Well now I'm interested in tip-toeing into the headphone amp and DAC world. Like I said I am completely new to all of the this and have been reading as much info as I can. So I want to jump in and see what's the difference, what's the big deal, isn't straight out the headphone jack enough?!? Currently I listen to all my music (as I'm sure you can already guess) through my laptop (Macbook Pro) or iPhone 4 output through their built in headphone jacks. As for music I mostly focus on singer/songwriter, acoustic, pop/rock, vocals, some orchestral. I do enjoy the occasional Dubstep drops
So here are my questions:
Precursor: From my reading, I think I sort of understand the notion that headphone amps, though having the ability to increase volume of the headphone, its main purpose is improve audio quality of a headphone.
1. The big difference, is it that noticeable? Bear in mind I don't want to delve too deep into an amp (budget-wise) as I'm just starting out, so let's say I'm purchasing the Headroom BitHead or a Fiio product.
2. Does the DAC (let's say on the BitHead or any headphone amp/DAC combination as that's what I'll be considering) affect EQ settings from my source, as in will I still be able to control it via my computer or player, or does the DAC just take over with it's own signature (see how I just used a Head-Fi big audio boy term!
Also feel free to chime in on BitHead ($150) or other amp/DAC beginner setups recommendations at around the same price. I will be listening via desktop on my laptop mostly so portability is not the main issue, it's price and beginner friendliness! I will no doubt still be obsessively reading all the review threads here.
Thanks again for opening up the world of audio for a newbie!