[Audioholic]

DT880 600 ohm is about 350$
Essence STX    is about 200$
-------------------------------------------
Allready                        550$
 
Amp? About 200$ more.

 

[Thompson]

True, but for example, an AuzenTech Forte soundcard would be 150 euro's (new). And I don't mind buying this kind of hardware second hand.
 
I already opened a threat WTB DT880 600Ohm. If it is in excellent state I don't mind someone used it for a couple of days (for example).
 
What kind of amp would I be looking for in thhis situation? Maybe a portable amp so I could use the DT880 on the go aswell?

 

[Audioholic]

Defintly tube amp methinks. Tube amp sound+DT880=sinergy

 

[Thompson]

Aren't tube amps rather large and expensive? I am not an audiophile... Maybe the 32Ohm version would be fine also? Or is that really a waste of money compared to the 600?

 

[Audioholic]

No, 32 Ohm version would IMO be perfetct for STX/FORTE. Just enough juice to power those babies. You can get a Little Dot tube amp. It's small and portable. But it costs.

 

[Mescalamba]

Forte is not exactly great for headphones listening, Bravura is far better in this.. and it has switchable OPAMPs on headphone circuit.
 
If you want to be sure, get 250 Ohm and Bravura.. it will work. But Im pretty sure even 600 Ohm will work. Auzentech is quite trustworthy.
 
About AKG 701 and Forte, yea its a waste of money.. power isnt problem, but soundquality is. Bravura is quite different.. (great sound quality and loads of power).

 

[Thompson]

It will be mostly used for gaming, is the Bravura also known as a great gamers card? I Thought that was more of the STX/Forte/Prelude?

 

[Mescalamba]

Bravura has EAX 4.0 and it works flawlessly.. not sure why, but 3D sound from that is much better than from Forte.. Maybe Ive set something wrong on Forte, dunno. But yes, its great for gaming too. Best would be probably Auzentech HTHD, but thats more expensive (at least I think so), it has EAX 5.0.
 
Edit: After listening 192KHz/24 bit on this thing.. even with my HD 555. That sound is AMAZING. Its like I didnt switched just soundcard, but headphones too. I wonder how it sounds with better headphones, I think I will ask for HD 800 loan. Can be interesting..

 

[Thompson]

I thought many games don't support EAX anymore since it's kinda of a "dying future"? The STX also support EAX 5.0 I thought, but not sure if they will be able to drive 600Ohm. Although I am doubting at the moment if a 600 would be suited for me. I think the sound of 32 will be amazing to me also, and it's just a lot easier to drive, so I can use it on the road without a portable amp also.

 

[Mescalamba]

Depends what you want, I personaly would not use low Ohm cans again after HD 555. Mid-range to high is better, as usually all amps work in that territory and soundcards too. Too low like 16/32 can cause problems with some amps.
 
EAX dying future? Kinda dont know any other kind of 3D sound thats widely used.. 
 
Yea STX support almost all EAX, they translate EAX calls to their own 3D sound engine.

 

[Thompson]

Ok I've made up my mind, I will just go for the 250Ohm version. Bit of both.
 
Now only thing to decide is if I want Essence STX or an AuzenTech card. Now which would be best to drive a DT880 250Ohm? And which gives best sound (especially for gaming)?

 

[Mescalamba]

EAX is "safe" (but thanks to crappy Creative support, its not always working as it should). GX 2.0 works most of time, but its not bulletproof either.. 
 
STX or Bravura are very good gaming soundcards.. if you dont plan to upgrade OPAMPs I can suggest Bravura as it sounds really good out-of-the-box. ASUS needs some OPAMPs replacement to get more friendly sound from that, but it shouldnt have effect on gaming and 3D sound. But it has quite a lot on music.. and if you want to do both, you should get Bravura. For gaming its good and for music its excelent.

 

[Thompson]

Bravura and DT880 250 Ohm it is. Or anybody has a good reason not too?

 

[Thompson]

Hmm, cheapest DT880 I can find is 230 euro's. I found DT770 and 990 for 150... Are the 880's really that much better? If I would have to choose between 770 and 990, which one would be better?

 

[Mescalamba]

DT770 version from 2005 should be good.. main difference is that DT770 are closed and DT990 are open cans. Otherwise, you need to find some reviews, but I supposed that 990s are slightly better, or maybe "different" .. than better. Only ones that are really "better" are T1.
 
If you can find DT990 for 150 EUR, it must be 50% sale or some old model (if it exists). Cause new ones are quite expensive (at least here are expensive).
 
DT880 are supposed to be less neutral than DT990 which should be more like studio quality. But as I dont own them or heard them.. its just net talking. I would probably try DT990 ver. 2005 - 250 Ohm. Be carefull about these old editions and also "Pro" models. They are different..