just bought an onkyo dp-x1...think it needs a portable amp or does it have enough juice?
onkyo dp-x1 need external portable amp?
- Thread starter torii
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have sennheiser hd600, focal elear, and bunch of chinese earbuds
The 600's will probably be a bit of a problem not sure about the Elears as I've not heard them from anything portable. I take it you don't have it yet?
I do have...have had the 600's almost 20 years it feels and got the elears a few days ago. just been breaking in the elears running half volume 24/7 it seems...I only used my hd's for gaming so dont have an opinion on music other than they are totally different than elears.
I can run both hp's full 160 max volume on dp-x1 w/out distortion/clipping on high gain and I dont like listening to anything turned 100% up...so I figure both need more power where I get best sound at 40-60% of max volume. but I will also add they are both plenty loud for my ears at 130 out of 160 volume...casual listen at 110 volume on dp-x1 in a quiet room.
I can run both hp's full 160 max volume on dp-x1 w/out distortion/clipping on high gain and I dont like listening to anything turned 100% up...so I figure both need more power where I get best sound at 40-60% of max volume. but I will also add they are both plenty loud for my ears at 130 out of 160 volume...casual listen at 110 volume on dp-x1 in a quiet room.
So this is for music listening your asking about just a bit confused?
yes, this amp ? is about listening to music. I feel I have no headroom on dp-x1 but the specs say its 150 watt output??? I have no clue what headphones can take power wise...and no clue on headphone amps...maybe not 150 watt but mwatts? or mvolts...idk...just seems Im not used to maxing volume 100% so wondered if an amp would help
Ok now I understand it is probably 150 mW I'm sure. Most Daps weren't meant to drive full sized headphones so don't blame it. My QP1R has a bit of trouble with my HD-6xx's so no problem. A amp will help then if you want headroom for sure. Some give the max input in their specs some don't. They are pretty close to speakers as you can put a lot more power to them as long as it is not full of noise and clipping. There are many options for amps just as with everything audio how much do you want to spend? I had a Fiio E-12 a few years ago and it was not lacking power at all even with some power hungry Planars I had at the time. The new A-5 has the same 800mw output but with a lower noise floor and I thought it was fairly neutral. But there are many others.
thanks...I have a fairly nice home system with focal arias and bridged nad amps that make my room sublime...and I have an eye for simaudio gear for an upgrade to my home system....dont think Im anywhere close to simaudio headphone amp tho....probably more in the portable pricerange because honestly if I crank my home system, I dont need headphones in any room of the house...heard chord mojo was liked and I own an oppo 103 home player....so maybe oppo ha...but if there is a 100 portable ha I wouldnt be mad 
Surf Monkey
Headphoneus Supremus
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I have HD650s but haven't tried them with my DP-X1A yet. I suspect they'll be somewhat hard to drive even on high gain. That said, with a balanced cable in BA mode? It might have enough kick to power them that way. I don't have a balanced cable for the 650s though...
I know this is an older post, but the 150mw output is only when using the 2.5mm balanced output, single ended (3.5mm) output is 75mw, both are at 32ohm though. I've tried the Elear using the 3.5mm non balanced output, the Onkyo has plenty of juice to power them efficiently, I'll be ordering a balanced cable soon for my Elear's I would imagine they will sound even better. Here is a good site for cables.
https://lqicables.com/products/esprit-up-occ-silver-plated-copper
https://www.surfcables.com/collections/cables/products/focal-compatible-cables?variant=44932123907
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