[Hibuckhobby]

Mine sound decent on my laptop....but really stage up
with my Headroom Supreme amp. It really gives punch to the bass and opens up the sounstage.

 

[Zombie_X]

Im probably in the minority but to me the HD595 and HD555 didn't improve at all with an amp. They just took on the amps characteristics. They sound perfectly fine without an amp IMO. 

 

[4-HGeek]

I can honestly say that the factory front panel jack on my Dell Inspiron 518 is a decent headphone amp on its own.
 
There are some sources that can drive less efficient cans well without a discrete amp. As audio tends to be preferential, one may not care or notice the difference between a source with and without an amp.
 
Go with what sounds good.

 

[GigaFi]

I don't hear a noticeable difference amped (Fiio E7) vs unamped (Dell laptop).

 

[4-HGeek]

Quote:

I don't hear a noticeable difference amped (Fiio E7) vs unamped (Dell laptop).

With that said, some sound cards still have higher headphone output wattage than a portable device.

 

[FieldEffect]

You can use a small mixer for an amp. It's an economical way to go.

 

[fabio-fi]

The centrance dacport improves the sound coming from the laptop's onboard, it is a nice portable solution. 

 

[KrisSumara]

Hey guys, I just ordered a pair of Senny's 598's and I have an http://http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR505&class=Receiver&p=i and I was wondering if it would do the job as an amp? or should I buy an actual amplifier. If I have to, what are the best options for a clean and flat response? I have around 100$ budget ;p.

 

[XxDobermanxX]

Quote:

Hey guys, I just ordered a pair of Senny's 598's and I have an http://http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR505&class=Receiver&p=i and I was wondering if it would do the job as an amp? or should I buy an actual amplifier. If I have to, what are the best options for a clean and flat response? I have around 100$ budget ;p.

Fiio E17? ive heard good things about that combo, any amp your buying remember that the output impedance(of the amp) should less that or equal to 1/8 of the headphones ohm rating 

 

[jwusoccer]

There's really no need for the e17. An entry level amp like the e10 or e11 would suffice for the 598s. And even then, you really don't need an amp. When i had them, i ran them out of my phone and ipod all the time and they still sounded great. They really are not hard to drive at all.

 

[tdockweiler]

Quote:

There's really no need for the e17. An entry level amp like the e10 or e11 would suffice for the 598s. And even then, you really don't need an amp. When i had them, i ran them out of my phone and ipod all the time and they still sounded great. They really are not hard to drive at all.

IMO the E10 or E11 is actually worse than straight from say a Sansa Clip+. The E5 is actually not a bad choice since it doesn't make the mids of the 598 muffled.
The E10 makes the HD-598 too fatiguing in the mids for whatever reason.
 
For the HD-598 I like the Fiio E9, E5 and Total Airhead.

 

[aschroed22]

I am currently looking to purchase the HD 598 for use with an iPhone/iPod Touch. Should I purchase a portable amp, like the Fiio E17? Or a lower E10/E11 model?
 
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[XxDobermanxX]

Quote:

I am currently looking to purchase the HD 598 for use with an iPhone/iPod Touch. Should I purchase a portable amp, like the Fiio E17? Or a lower E10/E11 model?
 
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

The E17 ive read is the best combo for the hd 598, people say they sound horrible with the e10(darker) and e11. also the e17 has both a dac and an amp 

 

[FieldEffect]

I amp my 598's with a Mackie 402-VLZ3 mixer. Works great.

 

[aqsw]

Quote:

I have the HD598 unamped at the moment and they sound fine to me through my iMac. (On my older PC, I hear a lot of static and mechanical noise. I'm sure it's just my audio card and I just need a DAC, but I listen mostly on my mac anyways...)
 
I've so far been very thoroughly impressed with the soundstage on these headphones, but the bass is very weak on them. I'll be buying a new amp for my DT990/600 soon and I'll let you know if the improvement is really that impressive... but the HD598 actually don't even sound bad out of my iPhone or my Samsung Galaxy Nexus... :S (All of my music is flac/alac at good bitrates, though so YMMV...)

Checked  your profile. You have amps and dacs listed??