The Beyerdynamic DT880 Discussion thread

[SHAMuuu]

   
I drive my DT880 250's with a Little Dot MK IV, a great amp with tons of tube rolling options.

What tubes you find warms up that raw meaty signature? I'm still having nightmares about not going 600ohm
 

 
 
I think at this point i;d rather upgrade to 1990 or wait for T1.3 (since so many ppl have stated 1990> t1.2 in hifi'ness)

 

[NXTk]

 
I can highly recommend the Valhalla 2 with the 880. They work great together, great synergy. Mine uses a Schiit Modi for the DAC.

Can support this, tubes fit 880 very well, own Vali 2+Modi 2u amazing sound but heard a Valhalla 2, sounds even better will be upgrading to it a bit later.
 
Also after listening my 880 for two weeks found bass amount just perfect with +2db on 45hz and trebles with -2db on 8k and 10k. 
(Toni Braxton's - Un-break my heart) beat and bass-line feels like marshmallows punchy and smooth, and classical guitar just wow, with a clean voice reproduction 880 famous for just an ecstasy to listen.

 

[NOSAudiophile]

Also after listening my 880 for two weeks found bass amount just perfect with +2db on 45hz and trebles with -2db on 8k and 10k. 
(Toni Braxton's - Un-break my heart) beat and bass-line feels like marshmallows punchy and smooth, and classical guitar just wow, with a clean voice reproduction 880 famous for just an ecstasy to listen.

 
Thank you for bringing up Toni Braxton. Fabulous recording. This used to be one of my reference songs for auditioning audio equipment but had totally forgotten about it till just now. Her voice just soars with tube gear. Yes audio nirvana.

 

[bladefd]

Hi all! I've the Fidelio X2 and Im interested in the DT880 for classical music. I will use with an iBasso dx50 and a Cayin C5. What do you think? 250 or 600 ohm? Thank you very much!

600ohm for sure! You will be able to power it up with that amp. DT880 is easier to power than many people say even at 600ohms..

 

[Mal Waldron]

600ohm for sure! You will be able to power it up with that amp. DT880 is easier to power than many people say even at 600ohms..

Thank you! I'll pick the 600ohm version as soon as posible

 

[CJG888]

Yes, the C5 (not the C5D, though) is one of the most powerful portable amps around. I use mine to drive planars (HE-400i)!

 

[SHAMuuu]

So I was listening to my 880.250, and just chilling and what not, then my package came in from ebay. It was the Fiio Ex1. I'm not an IEM guy, i just ordered a few to you know, round my knowledge a bit. Its been like 10 years since my last IEM give or take. I mean i occasionally popped in my apple ipod earbuds, but not for long. Anyway i don't know if i'm crazy or not but these FiiO or Titan 1 by DUNU, sound almost exactly like the 880. Anyone else have this IEM? I really do not care for IEM, and got just for casual listening. I got Sony ex750ap the other day and was like meh, warm signature with some extension on both sides but missing a bit of airiness and sparkle, but better than my bose of 10 years past. But this Fiio was like an open back can 880. For only 60 US, and simply hooked to PC with usb thumb dac/amp (xtrempro x1).
 
I never thought an IEM could mimic 880 neutral, sparkly-ness, with accurate bass. Imaging and Soundstage is just a tad less, but overall its like the same thing at moderate volume.
 

 
I must be trippin

 

[Mal Waldron]

Yes, the C5 (not the C5D, though) is one of the most powerful portable amps around. I use mine to drive planars (HE-400i)!

 
 
Thank you for your words. Yes, it's the C5 amp. I still have some doubts because I don't know if the improvement in sound quality will be enough to pay for the model of 600 ohm a difference of 47 euros, in addition to being less versatile to use with less amplified sources. 

 

[bladefd]

Thank you for your words. Yes, it's the C5 amp. I still have some doubts because I don't know if the improvement in sound quality will be enough to pay for the model of 600 ohm a difference of 47 euros, in addition to being less versatile to use with less amplified sources. 

Well, if the difference is that big in money, I would just get the 250ohms DT880. The difference between the 2 is not worth almost 50 euros extra.. If it was 25 or less, I think it is definitely worth it but not 50 bucks extra.

It is totally up to you if you don't mind spending 50 bucks extra. To me, it is not..

 

[Mal Waldron]

Well, if the difference is that big in money, I would just get the 250ohms DT880. The difference between the 2 is not worth almost 50 euros extra.. If it was 25 or less, I think it is definitely worth it but not 50 bucks extra.

It is totally up to you if you don't mind spending 50 bucks extra. To me, it is not..

 
Thank you! That's what I wanted to hear

 

[SHAMuuu]

   
Thank you! That's what I wanted to hear

For every person that says the 600ohm is just a little better and not worth it, there are like 10 hifi vets who say otherwise (meaning its 600ohm>250). I got the 250 and its a tough pill to swallow, but for likr 47 euroi would go 600ohm 10/10 times. If only I could go back in time. Go read for yourself.

 

[bladefd]

Thank you! That's what I wanted to hear

You will be just as happy with 250ohms to be quite honest with you. Unless if you do A/B test and go back and forth paying very very close attention to minute details - even then, I think it would be very close. I would get the premium DT880 btw due to extra comfort.

You will be quite pleased by the sound. I have the 80s style DT880, which is 600ohms, but from my understanding it is very similar in sound to modern DT880s. Very fun to listen but nowadays I prefer my Sennheiser HD600.

 

[Mal Waldron]

 
For every person that says the 600ohm is just a little better and not worth it, there are like 10 hifi vets who say otherwise (meaning its 600ohm>250). I got the 250 and its a tough pill to swallow, but for likr 47 euroi would go 600ohm 10/10 times. If only I could go back in time. Go read for yourself.

 
Hahaha, noo, no more doubts until tomorrow morning! I'll ask to the pillow...Thank you!

 

[bladefd]

For every person that says the 600ohm is just a little better and not worth it, there are like 10 hifi vets who say otherwise (meaning its 600ohm>250). I got the 250 and its a tough pill to swallow, but for likr 47 euroi would go 600ohm 10/10 times. If only I could go back in time. Go read for yourself.

Well, yes the 600ohms sound bit better but 47 euros (~50 USD dollars) is pretty drastic. The highs are bit better from what I know. I don't think the sonic difference is worth that cost, but that's just me. If you are a hardcore audiophile and/or have no issue with spending 50 bucks extra then absolutely go for it.

 

[Headzone]

   
I drive my DT880 250's with a Little Dot MK IV, a great amp with tons of tube rolling options.

You seem quite happy with that setup, I wish I could say the same about mine. Also bought MDR-V6's just to notice that they sound better out of my laptop soundcard, if you are looking for similar flavour in closed headphones I'd check them out. 
 
Now i'm a bit confused what I should do, I would really want to try some transformer-coupled vintage tube amp to go with DT880, but it is to much hassle and not portable.
 
edit: It's funny how much better the Sony sounds than the DT880 out of the box.. Whereas DT880 with good amp like Valhalla 2 will probably kill the Sony's.