[Elegiac]

That calculator assumes you will be playing a source track that has adequate volume, on tracks that are recorded low you will probably run out of volume control. I run my 250 ohm DT880 through an Little Dot MK IV OTL amp that outputs 500mW (300 ohms). When I use them on the deck it's through a FiiO E12 portable amp that outputs 160mW (300 ohms) so it's always best to have a little headroom available IMHO.

What amplifier are you going to use with them?

I'm going to get it balanced and run it from a DAP, my Acmee MF02s. It has a warm sound with a treble roll-off after 10k.

I really only have one album in that rotation where I might run out of headroom, so it should be fine now that I think of it. Anyway, I think I'll go with the 250 ohms, since it's only rated for 5 volts and 100mw anyway, 7 volts and 112mw should be fine. Maybe not 150% optimal, but 100% decent.

 

[Elegiac]

I own DT-880 (600 ohm). They are driven best by headphone amplifiers not with the greatest voltage output but with the greatest voltage swing capability. In my experience, this means higher output impedance OTL tube h/p/a (e.g. Woo Audio WA2) or solid state h/p/a such as Violectric V200, V280 etc and Phonitor.

Man, help me understand voltage swing.

EDIT: I think I get it. Just the range of power, flexibility in meeting those different impedances in the frequencies.

 

[jonathan c]

Man, help me understand voltage swing.

EDIT: I think I get it. Just the range of power, flexibility in meeting those different impedances in the frequencies.

Flexibility and instantaneous response to deliver necessary voltage at different frequencies…

 

[Elegiac]

Flexibility and instantaneous response to deliver necessary voltage at different frequencies…

I don't know how to evaluate a system of amplification in these terms. All I can imagine is meeting and/or exceeding the power ratings of a headphone.
Shouldn't a good op amp be basically instantaneous in its ability to provide power under those conditions?

 

[TrollDragon]

Maybe not 150% optimal, but 100% decent.

Then that is all that matters, enjoy!

 

[jonathan c]

I don't know how to evaluate a system of amplification in these terms^^ All I can imagine is meeting and/or exceeding the power ratings of a headphone.
Shouldn't a good op amp be basically instantaneous in its ability to provide power under those conditions?

^^ listen for clarity across dynamic range (difference between loudest & softest sounds) .

 

[Elegiac]

^^ listen for clarity across dynamic range (difference between loudest & softest sounds) .

This I understand. From the SE jack I'm listening with a DT 770 80 ohm's. The output impedance is 10 ohms. On my quietest album, I'm hitting distortion at 86 on the volume and upwards. 70 is loud enough for most of my music, everything is clear... great dynamics actually.
The impedance calculator says I should be getting 120mw and 116 decibels, and that should be at around 3/3.5 volts.
I think 116 is a good minimum for me to aim for.

 

[jonathan c]

This I understand. From the SE jack I'm listening with a DT 770 80 ohm's. The output impedance is 10 ohms. On my quietest album, I'm hitting distortion at 86 on the volume and upwards. 70 is loud enough for most of my music, everything is clear... great dynamics actually.
The impedance calculator says I should be getting 120mw and 116 decibels, and that should be at around 3/3.5 volts.
I think 116 is a good minimum for me to aim for.

Whatever. Ask yourself this as a corollary situation: when driving a motor vehicle, is it more important to keep eyes on the road or on the dashboard meters?

 

[gefski]

Yep, specno-philia never tells us what a component sounds like. Listening to music tells me what works with what, what to keep, and what to get rid of.

 

[Elegiac]

Of course, of course. I'm simply fussing over powering it properly. Experience has taught me that 'enough power' and impedance matching make a difference.
As a corollary ask yourself this: should I learn the rules of the road before I drive around on it?

But before I even got to this stage, I considered what it should be likely to sound like, with my music, and with my source.
The final result remains a pleasant mystery for now.

 

[BobG55]

Hadn’t listen to my DT880/ 600 ohms in months. Decided to take them out tonight and listen to them with the Bryston BHA-1 which I purchased last month (my Burson HA-160 is presently defective). Listening to the album “Road to Escondido” / Eric Clapton & JJ Cale & the different sound details are coming across in a dynamic clearness. I EQ my music (Schiit Lokius) and I simply added a touch of high and low sub bass while leaving the other tonality adjustments as they were. It’s refreshing to listen with a different sounding headphone at times, as long as it’s a good one. Well, the DT880/ 600 ohms is a great headphone & I’m reminded of that once again.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Whatever. Ask yourself this as a corollary situation: when driving a motor vehicle, is it more important to keep eyes on the road or on the dashboard meters?

Here's one answer

and here's another

So we see, as with all things, there are always people on both sides of the issue

 

[Elegiac]

Really I'm on both sides of the issue. My only opponent is snake oil and grifters.
But I visited the thread specifically on technical business.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Really I'm on both sides of the issue. My only opponent is snake oil and grifters.
But I visited the thread specifically on technical business.

Grifters?

 

[iFi audio]

Here's one answer

and here's another

So we see, as with all things, there are always people on both sides of the issue

I like what you did there