PortaCorda MkIII - Need to buy additional cables?

[Nergal]

I just got my Beyer Dynamic DT 770 Pro (80ohm) a couple of days ago, and decided to buy a PortaCorda MkIII amp.

I've already ordered it, but I'm wondering if I have to buy seperate cables to connect this amp to my soundcard?

Any additional help or tips would be appreciated

 

[ManAtWork]

Suggest you drop a message to Dr.Jan to know more about the product.

 

[Nergal]

Who is Dr. Jan?

I was hoping some other head-fi dudes in here had this amp and knew what came with it.

 

[EnOYiN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nergal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Who is Dr. Jan? I was hoping some other head-fi dudes in here had this amp and knew what came with it.

I do own a porta corda MkIII-USB. If you haven't ordered the USB version you won't get a USB cable with it, if you did order the USB you will. The cable is a A to miniB cable.

There are 2 mini to mini cables included in the package as well. These are not of outstanding quality, but what can you expect of a ~$200 amp.

I think that pretty much sums it up.

Edit: Dr. Jan is Dr. Jan Meier. He made your Porta Corda. You might have noticed.

 

[brospin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nergal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Who is Dr. Jan? I was hoping some other head-fi dudes in here had this amp and knew what came with it.

He means Dr.Jan Meier, the owner and designer of all Corda amps. A very nice and helpful guy and IMO one of the "gods" of headphone audio. If you have purchased the PCIII with no USB DAC (I guess it's the only PCIII version available now) then you'll need a cable to switch the amp to the analog line out of your soundcard. Most soundcards have 1/8 phono jack outs, same as the line in of the Porta Corda. Jan usually ships his portable amps with short interconnect cables (1/8 to 1/8 plug) that you can use for your equipment if you don't need additional cable length. Otherwise you can get longer cables with the same plugs in every audio/hi-fi store. On Jan Meier's website he says that the cable comes with a short interconnect, so you won't need anything else to have your amp runnig. An intelligent decision to get a Porta Corda!!

 

[Nergal]

Thanks for the quick replies guys

I have ordered the USB version yes, and hopefully it arrives on monday

 

[EnOYiN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nergal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the quick replies guys I have ordered the USB version yes, and hopefully it arrives on monday

The USB version comes with a USB cable, so you can connect it that way. You will not use your soundcard at all this way.

 

[senny-ftw]

Enjoy the amp - I think it's great!

 

[GreatDane]

Nergal,

You've purchased a great amp & USB DAC. Congrats. I have one and it pairs well with DT-770.

 

[Nergal]

Thanks for everything guys. I love my DT770, it's like a new world opened up for me. I never had headphones of such good quality before. And this satisfaction from only connecting through my integrated soundcard without an amp. Can't wait to get it!

A new question came to me though as I read one of the replies:

Quote:

The USB version comes with a USB cable, so you can connect it that way. You will not use your soundcard at all this way.

hmm..I'm kind of new to this so sorry for asking.

I just don't understand how I can play music without connecting the amp through my soundcard?

Will I be able to use the amp plugged into an USB port and do the following:

-Listen to music stored on my computer
-Listen to music through my cd/dvd player in my computer
-Get sound from games

If so.. was my investment in a new soundcard just a complete waste hehe?

And what would the benefits be to connect the amp directly in the USB port, instead of to my soundcard?

It was not the best soundcard in the world or anything I ordered, but still I would like to know if I would have any use for it?

It was a Creative SB X-Fi Xtreme gamer Low-Profile PCI

And thanks again..I really appreciate u guys helping me out

 

[Postal_Blue]

You will want to use the sound card output for gaming as it is designed to process multi layered DSP sound used in games. However for listening to music you should connect the amp through the usb port. The Porta Corda usb has a built in DAC (digital to analog converter) which is/should be superior to the DAC on you soundcard.

 

[xxlMusikfreak]

If you connect the PCIII to the PC over USB it will act as soundcard and appear in the system. So now you can choose where the sound should "come out". Use the Corda for Music and the other card for gaming.

 

[clc220]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxlMusikfreak /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you connect the PCIII to the PC over USB it will act as soundcard and appear in the system. So now you can choose where the sound should "come out". Use the Corda for Music and the other card for gaming.

yup, it'll just come up as a sound device and you need to configure the settings in windows(or whatever OS your using) and your media player to choose if output is directed to your sound card or the PCIII.

 

[Nergal]

fantastic!

Thanks a lot guys