Hello,
I'm new to this forum, perhaps you could call me an aspirational audiophile. After years of listening to MP3 files I'm upgrading to FLAC/ALAC and decent headphones. I just got the Beyerdynamic DT 1990s and am very happy with their clean and precise sound. Heck, they even sound good on my iPhone 7+ !
However, reading here and elsewhere I understand that volume isn't all, perhaps the DT 1990s need an amplifier to make me appreciate their dynamic range even more.
My question is this: should I go for a dedicated headphone amp or an amp/DAC combo?
I tried various small Fiio amplifiers and they don't seem powerful enough, not a big difference to iPhone alone.
The Beyerdynamic A20, however, complement the DT 1990s very nicely, but I've read a few critical comments here regarding their value for money (I paid 325 Euros for a refurbished unit that looks and presumably sounds like new) and performance.
Or should I invest in an amp/DAC combo in case the iphone DAC can be improved? Trying out the ifi nano and micro at the moment and, wow, they are powerful.
I don't care much for effects (xBass or whatever) but want a natural, very precise sound and a wide sound stage.
Budget: not more than 500 Euros, I'm afraid my 44 years old average ears surely wouldn't be able to tell the difference produced by extremely fancy audiophile products. But I hope to make a difference in my ears' education with a good mid-range purchase and for this I'd appreciate your advice. I listend almost exclusively to classical music.
Thanks!
Flo
I'm new to this forum, perhaps you could call me an aspirational audiophile. After years of listening to MP3 files I'm upgrading to FLAC/ALAC and decent headphones. I just got the Beyerdynamic DT 1990s and am very happy with their clean and precise sound. Heck, they even sound good on my iPhone 7+ !
However, reading here and elsewhere I understand that volume isn't all, perhaps the DT 1990s need an amplifier to make me appreciate their dynamic range even more.
My question is this: should I go for a dedicated headphone amp or an amp/DAC combo?
I tried various small Fiio amplifiers and they don't seem powerful enough, not a big difference to iPhone alone.
The Beyerdynamic A20, however, complement the DT 1990s very nicely, but I've read a few critical comments here regarding their value for money (I paid 325 Euros for a refurbished unit that looks and presumably sounds like new) and performance.
Or should I invest in an amp/DAC combo in case the iphone DAC can be improved? Trying out the ifi nano and micro at the moment and, wow, they are powerful.
I don't care much for effects (xBass or whatever) but want a natural, very precise sound and a wide sound stage.
Budget: not more than 500 Euros, I'm afraid my 44 years old average ears surely wouldn't be able to tell the difference produced by extremely fancy audiophile products. But I hope to make a difference in my ears' education with a good mid-range purchase and for this I'd appreciate your advice. I listend almost exclusively to classical music.
Thanks!
Flo
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