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The Beyerdynamic DT880 Discussion thread
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The Third
100+ Head-Fier
It included some good comparisons between older headphones but little about comparing it to the 1990. If the 880 is on the same level as 1990 sonically I'll get that.
I had both several months ago. When I tried them side by side on my system (Emotiva BasX A-100 amp and Topping D50 DAC + Loki), they were both really good. I can't give a detailed analysis at this point from memory. But, at the end of the day, I would always choose the DT880/600 over the 1990. I ended up selling the 1990. There is something special for me, about the 880. I can't put my finger on it, but there is an "It" factor in the way the music is presented inside my head that I enjoy more than almost any other headphone. I did purchase a T1.2 that is just as good but in a different way and on a different system (SMSL SP200 and SU-8 DAC + Loki). I have been searching for years to find audio nirvana (with EDM) and these 2 are pretty damn close.
I still consider the DT880-600 to offer outstanding value for money, but it only really comes to life with a very powerful amplifier. It seems to have a strong synergy with both of my Audio-gd amps (SA-31SE: a real beast of an amp based on an old Accuphase design, and R2R-11). I actually find that, despite its high impedance, it seems to favour well-designed solid state amps. I imagine anything from Violectric / Lake People should work well too.
anyone tried it with chord tt2?
The Third
100+ Head-Fier
Would the Toppings stack a30/d30 suffice?
Beyer's own A20 amp is a decent match. (For the 600 ohm version).
Strong in the mids, (which I appreciate being an HD 600 fan).
Strong in the mids, (which I appreciate being an HD 600 fan).
Anything with a properly engineered PSU and a power output > 1W into the standard 32 Ohms should suffice.
The emphasis is on the properly engineered PSU! That’s something Kingwa usually gets right.
TheGiantHogweed
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Something that puts me off getting such an amplifier as the A20 is the price. I just don't believe there will be an absolutely massive difference inn sound between this and a decent headphone amplifier at around £50. Spending well over double the price of the headphones themselves seems a step too far IMO. Especially as it is just to power them and doesn't even have a DAC. I guess they would probably suggest buying or having a very expensive DAC as well as it probably wouldn't be a benefit unless you do.
I keep mentioning this, but I just don't know what it is that they put in integrated amplifiers, but all of them seem better than many headphone amplifiers I buy. The output seems far louder, so great for high impedance headphones. These amplifiers are designed to power speakers so I don't know why they are so good with headphones. But if it wasn't for the fact I have multiple inputs in them causing interference (and the sheer size of the amps) , I would use one of these. Given all the extra stuff they have in them for powering speakers, I don't know what makes them better than amps such as the FiiO A5 which seems to be the case. I have both the Pioneer A-209r and Yamaha AS300.
Having the ability to adjust bass and treble below or above neutral, loudness and have multiple inputs is just so nice. And for those who think all these extra things can make them sound worse (which sometimes can when in use), virtually all amplifiers have a direct button that bypasses all this and makes the output as clean as possible.
I just don't understand why you don't seem to be able to get headphone amplifiers with these features. My Pioneer amplifier was only around £130 (so not much more than some of FiiO's decent amps specifically for headphones). But if I just have one input, it performs a huge amount better than FiiO's stuff volume and EQ wise. I also wouldn't say the sound is better on these specific headphone amplifiers. Is the size what is making the difference here? Or quality of the components?
If there was such a thing as a slightly smaller amplifier that was for headphones that had the features of integrated speaker amplifiers, that would be ideal for me as these things don't seem to be that expensive. But the sort of thing that I am wishing was available doesn't seem to exist. There are plenty with toggle switches for basic EQ, but I sometimes wonder what the point of them is as unless they are just right, it is either on or off, a step too far or to little. Where are the dials on these things? It would seem a bit overkill to buy another amplifier of the style of my pioneer one in the picture just to use it with headphones, but I bet it would do a great job.
I keep mentioning this, but I just don't know what it is that they put in integrated amplifiers, but all of them seem better than many headphone amplifiers I buy. The output seems far louder, so great for high impedance headphones. These amplifiers are designed to power speakers so I don't know why they are so good with headphones. But if it wasn't for the fact I have multiple inputs in them causing interference (and the sheer size of the amps) , I would use one of these. Given all the extra stuff they have in them for powering speakers, I don't know what makes them better than amps such as the FiiO A5 which seems to be the case. I have both the Pioneer A-209r and Yamaha AS300.
Having the ability to adjust bass and treble below or above neutral, loudness and have multiple inputs is just so nice. And for those who think all these extra things can make them sound worse (which sometimes can when in use), virtually all amplifiers have a direct button that bypasses all this and makes the output as clean as possible.
I just don't understand why you don't seem to be able to get headphone amplifiers with these features. My Pioneer amplifier was only around £130 (so not much more than some of FiiO's decent amps specifically for headphones). But if I just have one input, it performs a huge amount better than FiiO's stuff volume and EQ wise. I also wouldn't say the sound is better on these specific headphone amplifiers. Is the size what is making the difference here? Or quality of the components?
If there was such a thing as a slightly smaller amplifier that was for headphones that had the features of integrated speaker amplifiers, that would be ideal for me as these things don't seem to be that expensive. But the sort of thing that I am wishing was available doesn't seem to exist. There are plenty with toggle switches for basic EQ, but I sometimes wonder what the point of them is as unless they are just right, it is either on or off, a step too far or to little. Where are the dials on these things? It would seem a bit overkill to buy another amplifier of the style of my pioneer one in the picture just to use it with headphones, but I bet it would do a great job.
Still waiting to get an OTL amp for my 600 ohm. For amps I use a magni 3 or Asgard 2. Around 190mW RMS per channel.
adeadcrab
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Did you do that detachable cable mod yourself?Beyers really shine with an OTL amp.
My DT880/600 are driven to perfection for me from my Emotiva BasX A-100 with the jumpers installed. This amp is a beast with tons of power. With the jumpers installed, it is meant to be a speaker amp. I have tried them on my SMSL SP200, which is also considered a powerful amp but the DT 880 is nothing special with this amp. I also tried them on a DarkVoice tube amp and they were also unremarkable.
I had mine modded for a 2.5mm dual entry so that I can use my Moon Audio Blue Dragon cable and that has made a noticeable difference.
I had mine modded for a 2.5mm dual entry so that I can use my Moon Audio Blue Dragon cable and that has made a noticeable difference.
TrollDragon
Headphoneus Supremus
Yes, quite easy to do but you need to be very careful of the drivers.
The tabs on mine are press fit into plastic and once heated can pull out very easily, breaking the voice coil wire in the process. I've heard that the newer drivers have solder pads and won't do that anymore, but it's something to be aware of if yours don't.
I use a Q-Audio French Silk cable wired to Audeze standard.
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