[MohawkUS]

I don't think I would say that they need an amp, but with some songs I can almost hear my Essence running out of power and start to distort. Maybe the 2900 needs more power?

 

[n-phect]

Quote:

Scroll up three posts.  They were already reaching the "sounds fairly nice" level without an amp, but it's completely different now.  As for my MP3 player though, it definitely needed an amp to use these.
 

i actually see the least improvement with amps, maybe i just need a 1000 dollar amp.  as far as better sound it goes for me     headphones > dac > amp > cables      source im unsure about
 

 

[Sanctuary]

The largest difference with the amp is that there's a whole lot more control over the driver.  Other frequencies now stand out much more because they aren't being washed over by the spasms of a driver that doesn't have enough power to dampen correctly.  This is especially noticeable in music that is very dynamic or fast.  Not so much so in techno or "bass" (not guitar) stuff.

Trust me when I say the 900s benefit greatly from being amped.  I've done an almost 180 on my first day impressions of them.

 

[n-phect]

what amp? e9?

 

[Questhate]

Yeah, I'd agree with Sanctuary. I'm powering them through an E9, and I definitely hear much better control and dynamics through that than straight out of iPod or even out of an E7 alone. 

 

[Sanctuary]

Just the E9 (dunno why I said F9) since it was $88, and wouldn't have been a huge loss if it ended up being "meh".  I was going to get an M-Stage or Little Dot, but that wouldn't be until next year and I needed something now.

Those that said these headphones are very revealing were not kidding.  I'm hearing so many subtle nuances in  lot of music that I've been listening to for many years that I've never noticed. 
 
On the other hand, they are now making lesser quality audio sound even worse than they already did before amping.

 

[Freeze]

So the pico slim should be good for both the 900's and my w3's?

 

[n-phect]

well i used my corda arietta, and tryed them through my portable xm6, and i find it to be small changing for me anyhow.  Personally, i would buy my silver cable before an amp for them.
 
...im gonna a/b it right now just to re-test what i am thinking...
 
yea it opens the soundstage more on the arietta.  I think it is more attuned to what you are listening to on the pro 900s
 
i listen to a lot of dubstep and drum n bass, and soundstage isn't as important like other music is.
 
if your aren't listening to bass heavy music, get an amp.
 
 

 

[Sanctuary]

Quote:

if your aren't listening to bass heavy music, get an amp.
 
 

It's ironic that you say this.  I know what you mean, but the music I'm currently enjoying has a lot of drumming and bass guitar.  And oh my god does it sound better than I've ever heard before.
 

 

[n-phect]

Quote:

It's ironic that you say this.  I know what you mean, but the music I'm currently enjoying has a lot of drumming and bass guitar.  And oh my god does it sound better than I've ever heard before.
 

hmph....guess we listen differently.  
 

 

[n-phect]

what other headphones and amps have you heard or listened to. What are your sources
 
btw, that pic is odd lol, i don't know what to make of it. i don't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for the cat lol

 

[MohawkUS]

I'm still having trouble picking an amp, I've narrowed it down to the Mstage, Valhalla, a Little Dot, or a Darkvoice. My main concern is making the headphone too revealing, or getting an amp that can't keep up with faster music. My Essence starts to distort in some of my black metal, and my Fuze and AKG K81 distort with SunnO))) and their long bass notes. I'm getting mixed opinions on tubes and Ultrasones. 

 

[n-phect]

from what i read on this site , tubes usually go well with high ohm headphones, and solid state generally fare well with low ohm headphones
 
and tubes have a warm sound i think i heard?
 
personally i don't want my metal "warm".

 

[MohawkUS]

Same, but I do want the edge taken off the highs, I don't think all tube amps are warm. I might just get the Mstage, its on amazon, so if I don't like it I won't have any problems returning it.

 

[n-phect]

i get my lyr tomorrow, its a hybrid.  maybe you should think about a hybrid?