[Pm@c]

I picked up a pair of 600ohm DT880's off of ebay for $230 (including shipping) that were slightly used. Very good condition actually, pretty much brand new. The guy told me they had less than 100 hours.
 
My question is, I'm going from Xonar Essence STX through line out to a Littledot MK3, using ASIO in foobar. 
 
Going from DT770 80ohm, these are quite a bit different sounding. I am obviously going to have to get used to them, ive been listening to my 770's for 5 years now. 
 
One question I have, is that sometimes the vocals can be a little too high, and kind of annoy me/hurt my ears. 
 
It obviously just seems like the highs are a little more bright than I am used to, but does that sort of settle down after burn in (I assume I still have a bit more burn in to do, both on the headphones and Littledot (it only has about 10-15 hours on it)). 
 
Just wondering if the highs come down a bit and even out without that harsh sound?

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,
 
Not likely.
 
Since you're using an STX, you have equalizer software. Play around with the 5khz to 11~12khz bands and drop them a few dB. You'll get what you want that way.
 
Very best,

 

[Graphicism]

Unfortunately your amp can't power them so they're being strained... upgrade your amp or try another phone, preferably of lower impedance.

 

[Gwarmi]

 
Tech specs for your Little Dot MkIII
 
 

1. SEPP (Single-Ended Push Pull) OTL in Class-A
2. Frequency response: 12 hz~100 Khz (-1dB)
3. THD+N: 0.15% (80 mW @300 ohm)
4. Power Output:
5. 350 mW @ 300/600 ohm
6. 300 mW @ 120 oh
7. 100 mW @ 32 ohm

 
Beyer DT880 600 ohm
Power handling capacity acc. to 100 mW
 
Your amp is more than ok, unless the Little Dot is not giving them enough voltage swing.
 
The problem is either lack of burn-in, your Essence STX is too bright with the amp (mine was at times with bright
headphones)
 
or you just don't like their signature for the highs.
 
 

 

[NinjaSquirt]

The 600 ohm version of the Beyer DT880 is not quite as sibilant as the 250 ohm version but both of them do have that characteristic burn in or not. It may improve but it will not be gone. For me, a Schiit Valhalla solved the problem completely. I run this out of the HT|Omega Claro Halo sound card (reputedly VERY similar sound to the ASUS Essence STX).

 

[Gwarmi]

 
Another idea ~ look at maybe swapping out some op-amps with the ASUS Essence STX
to fine tune the sound
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/421890/the-xonar-essence-stx-q-a-tweaking-impressions-thread

 

[Graphicism]

Quote:

Tech specs for your Little Dot MkIII
...
 
Beyer DT880 600 ohm
Power handling capacity acc. to 100 mW
 
Your amp is more than ok, unless the Little Dot is not giving them enough voltage swing.
 

Ignore the specs, it's just marketing. The LDIII cannot power 600Ohm phones, in fact it doesn't sound that great with lower impedance phones either. I've heard DT880/600 > LDIII and it was sibilant, lacked body and impact and overall sound quality wasn't great.

 

[Gwarmi]

Recently auditioned an all tube Trafomatic Experience One, that thing sells for $1000USD+
 
It was terrible with everything we threw at it, LCD-2, K601, Beyer T1 ~ just woeful.
 
Thin, slow, congested ~ nasty.