Crazy*Carl
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
- Posts
- 852
- Likes
- 28
I have been around these forums for about 7 or 8 months now and have learned alot. I have learned to use a more neutral sound and not tons of U shaped Eq. Ive learned to use high bitrate encoding or lossless when possible. I have learned of what makes a good headphone and models of good neutral sounded headphones. All these items are legitimate and I have noticed the difference personally.
What I am not convinced on is the area of headphone amps and DACs. When I first looked into getting 300 ohm sennheisers, I was worried that my computer, or ipod would not have the power to run them to acceptable volumes. When I first plugged in my new (used) Sennheiser HD580 into my ipod and computer, this myth was instantly blown away. My ipod can drive the 300 ohm sennheisers to painfully loud volumes, as can my computer.At first I was underwhelmed by the lack of bloated bass, which I was used to. However it didnt take long for me to realize how outstanding of a sound they were producing. So I though, these may be able to power the HD580 to acceptable volumes, but its probably not powering them well. So the next thing I did was buy the EF2 hybrid tube amp, with significantly more power than the ipod or computer. In addition, this came with a basic DAC. So I started using the EF2 with the HD580, and it could power them to volumes much louder than the ipod(already super loud). The EF2 turns the HD580 into room speakers, its unbelievable, and I'd rather sit at a shooting range for an hour with no plugs in than listen to it this loud. So it can make them insanely loud rather than very loud. However, what I didn't notice was any real difference in the audio quality. I have AB tested all the setups I could make with what I have extensively, and time and time again, I notice minimal sound difference at best. I even got out my old soundblaster extigy-which sounded no difference than the ipod or even the EF2. I even tried lower impedance headphones - ultrasone HFI 580, still no difference in any of the combos. Its no doubt that all the items I listed in the first paragraph are instrumental for good sound, and I thank head-fi for that. But I am convinced, as of now, good sound comes 90% from the headphones and file quality, and the other 10% the DAC and AMP is responsible. To me, the 200 dollar amp I have is more or less a 200 dollar volume control knob. will a 600 dolla amp make it sound better? I'm sure, but 600 dollars better... hmm. I am not here to say DACs and AMPs are worthless, I just want an honest answer, how much of a difference to they really make, quantitatively. From my experience, not much.
Any comments much appreciated
What I am not convinced on is the area of headphone amps and DACs. When I first looked into getting 300 ohm sennheisers, I was worried that my computer, or ipod would not have the power to run them to acceptable volumes. When I first plugged in my new (used) Sennheiser HD580 into my ipod and computer, this myth was instantly blown away. My ipod can drive the 300 ohm sennheisers to painfully loud volumes, as can my computer.At first I was underwhelmed by the lack of bloated bass, which I was used to. However it didnt take long for me to realize how outstanding of a sound they were producing. So I though, these may be able to power the HD580 to acceptable volumes, but its probably not powering them well. So the next thing I did was buy the EF2 hybrid tube amp, with significantly more power than the ipod or computer. In addition, this came with a basic DAC. So I started using the EF2 with the HD580, and it could power them to volumes much louder than the ipod(already super loud). The EF2 turns the HD580 into room speakers, its unbelievable, and I'd rather sit at a shooting range for an hour with no plugs in than listen to it this loud. So it can make them insanely loud rather than very loud. However, what I didn't notice was any real difference in the audio quality. I have AB tested all the setups I could make with what I have extensively, and time and time again, I notice minimal sound difference at best. I even got out my old soundblaster extigy-which sounded no difference than the ipod or even the EF2. I even tried lower impedance headphones - ultrasone HFI 580, still no difference in any of the combos. Its no doubt that all the items I listed in the first paragraph are instrumental for good sound, and I thank head-fi for that. But I am convinced, as of now, good sound comes 90% from the headphones and file quality, and the other 10% the DAC and AMP is responsible. To me, the 200 dollar amp I have is more or less a 200 dollar volume control knob. will a 600 dolla amp make it sound better? I'm sure, but 600 dollars better... hmm. I am not here to say DACs and AMPs are worthless, I just want an honest answer, how much of a difference to they really make, quantitatively. From my experience, not much.
Any comments much appreciated