[dwalk1989]

I bought some used beyerdynamic dt-880 pros (250 ohm version) for around 100$ and they sound really nice with my current setup. I'd like to try out adding an external amplifier (something like the SMSL sApII). Currently I have an old soundblaster recon3d soundcard in my system. Soundblaster says it has a dedicated amp that supports up to 600ohm headphones but I'm not really sure if it's doing much for my 880s. It gets fairly loud but I like to have my music really loud. 
 
I guess what I'm asking, is if I get something like the SMSL sApII headphone amp, would it work or would there be some type of conflict since my recon3d soundcard has a "built-in" amp? 
 
If not, does anyone have some recommendations?

 

[PurpleAngel]

You could replace the Recon3D with a Sound Blaster Z sound card.
Both the Recon3D and the SB-Z come with the same Soundcore3D audio processor, which also provide a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) function for the sound card.
But the SB-Z card also comes with a CS4398 DAC chip, which should offer some improvement (audio quality wise) for your headphones, over the Recon3D.
The SB-Z's CS4398 DAC chip only provides a DAC function for the Front Speaker channels or the headphone output.
And you can get a used SB-Z for around $50-$70.
 
You could also connect an external DAC and headphone amplifier to the Recon3D's optical port.
But I think for only around $50-$70, the SB-Z is a better value.

 

[dwalk1989]

  You could replace the Recon3D with a Sound Blaster Z sound card.
Both the Recon3D and the SB-Z come with the same Soundcore3D audio processor, which also provide a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) function for the sound card.
But the SB-Z card also comes with a CS4398 DAC chip, which should offer some improvement (audio quality wise) for your headphones, over the Recon3D.
The SB-Z's CS4398 DAC chip only provides a DAC function for the Front Speaker channels or the headphone output.
And you can get a used SB-Z for around $50-$70.
 
You could also connect an external DAC and headphone amplifier to the Recon3D's optical port.
But I think for only around $50-$70, the SB-Z is a better value.

Alright, good to know. I think I'll try the SB-Z then and see how it compares. I'm really just trying things out and seeing what I like because I've never really ventured beyond gaming headsets and wanted to experiment with things.
 
I've heard that external USB DACs like the FiiO E10K are good too, would you recommend something like that? I don't notice any buzzing or anything with my recon3d so if the only advantage of a USB DAC is that it's external then that's not really an advantage for me. But if it does have more room for higher volume levels then I would like to at least try it out.
 
Also, I've gotten quite used to the sidetone that logitech headsets have and want to know how to replicate this using my dt-880s. I'm not really sure but I think I'd need a mixer with a microphone that could plug into it (so no USB microphones) in order to monitor the mic. I also know some microphones have headset ports and you can plug your headphones directly into the mic to get the sidetone effect. If I did something like that, would I still be able to use an amp/DAC?
 
Or am I just being stupid and there's an easy solution within the SB-Z sound card or similar? My recon3d has a "listen" option when I go into the mixer tab but its very delayed so I'm pretty sure its just toggling the "listen" option built into Windows 10.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Alright, good to know. I think I'll try the SB-Z then and see how it compares. I'm really just trying things out and seeing what I like because I've never really ventured beyond gaming headsets and wanted to experiment with things.
 
I've heard that external USB DACs like the FiiO E10K are good too, would you recommend something like that? I don't notice any buzzing or anything with my Recon3d so if the only advantage of a USB DAC is that it's external then that's not really an advantage for me. But if it does have more room for higher volume levels then I would like to at least try it out.
 
Also, I've gotten quite used to the sidetone that logitech headsets have and want to know how to replicate this using my Dt-880s. I'm not really sure but I think I'd need a mixer with a microphone that could plug into it (so no USB microphones) in order to monitor the mic. I also know some microphones have headset ports and you can plug your headphones directly into the mic to get the sidetone effect. If I did something like that, would I still be able to use an amp/DAC?
 
Or am I just being stupid and there's an easy solution within the SB-Z sound card or similar? My Recon3d has a "listen" option when I go into the mixer tab but its very delayed so I'm pretty sure its just toggling the "listen" option built into Windows 10.

 
I really know zero about the "sidetone effect" or how to create it.

 

[dwalk1989]

   
I really know zero about the "sidetone effect" or how to create it.

I think it's just another term for monitoring your microphone in your headphones in real time. 

 

[Me x3]

DT880 scales forever.
Better Amp = Better sound
Better DAC = Better sound
 
FiiO K5 and Magni 2 are among the very best solid state amplifiers in your price range.
Both have great clarity and plenty of power for the Beyer DT880

 

[dwalk1989]

DT880 scales forever.
Better Amp = Better sound
Better DAC = Better sound

FiiO K5 and Magni 2 are among the very best solid state amplifiers in your price range.
Both have great clarity and plenty of power for the Beyer DT880

Does the fiio k5 double as a DAC as well?

Also, if I got the k5 now and then got a dedicated USB microphone with a headphone port, would I be able to plug the k5 into it so I could have my microphone monitoring as well as the improved sound/amplification of the k5?

 

[Me x3]

Does the fiio k5 double as a DAC as well?

Also, if I got the k5 now and then got a dedicated USB microphone with a headphone port, would I be able to plug the k5 into it so I could have my microphone monitoring as well as the improved sound/amplification of the k5?

FiiO K5 is a full size desktop amplifier with preamp output and a dock for FiiO DACs and DAPs.
You can also use it with other external DACs from any brand, or plug it directly to your computer's output
 
With respect to the mic, it can be quite tricky I think...
I was into FPS gaming sometime in the past and hearing myself through the headphones when the enemy's steps are going on is the last thing I would want.
 
Anyway, if you really need that functionality, plugging the K5 into a soundcard that already outputs both the audio and the mic signal would be a safe way to get both the mic monitoring and the improved amplification.

 

[dwalk1989]

 
FiiO K5 is a full size desktop amplifier with preamp output and a dock for FiiO DACs and DAPs.
You can also use it with other external DACs from any brand, or plug it directly to your computer's output
 
With respect to the mic, it can be quite tricky I think...
I was into FPS gaming sometime in the past and hearing myself through the headphones when the enemy's steps are going on is the last thing I would want.
 
Anyway, if you really need that functionality, plugging the K5 into a soundcard that already outputs both the audio and the mic signal would be a safe way to get both the mic monitoring and the improved amplification.

 
I'd set up the mic so the feedback I would get would be very minimal or none at all when I'm not actually talking. I just like to be able to hear myself so I don't speak too loud in discord/mumble/ventrilo/teamspeak. I've also just gotten so used to it that it feels weird not using it. I don't really play FPS games but the feedback wouldn't be very loud so it wouldn't overpower the sound of the game itself.
 
Your last recommendation would be great but I don't know of any sound cards that actually have a microphone monitoring functionality that isn't complete garbage. I don't know of any Creative or Asus soundcards that have this functionality working. A "listen" option, maybe, but it's very delayed and is really only useful for testing the microphone quality. Actively using something like that would just suck. 
 
It's so strange because I've head several gaming headsets in the past that have a simple "side tone" setting near the microphone setting that just allows you to hear yourself in the headphones, yet sound cards don't seem to have this. It's the same concept, isn't it? One source for both audio and recording, so loop the sound back into the earphones. 
 
That's why I was asking about being able to plug the DAC/AMP into a nice studio microphone with a headphone port designed for monitoring because I'm pretty sure that would work. It's just a janky workaround that you would think could be easily solved with a sound card. I could also just get a mixer with that functionality and plug everything into that, I think.
 
Didn't mean to type this much, I'm just trying to gather information. Going to get the K5 DAC/amp for sure though and just take it one step at a time. 

 

[Me x3]

Check this
http://www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-2120882/create-good-side-tone-microphone-headphones.html
 
Where the OP says:
"Found this somewhere and it works!"

 

[dwalk1989]

  Check this
http://www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-2120882/create-good-side-tone-microphone-headphones.html
 
Where the OP says:
"Found this somewhere and it works!"

Yeah I've tried that but the signal still travels through the system and has noticeable delay. It's better than Windows "listen" functionality and the sound cards I've tried, but still not really what I'm looking for. I'm just going to have to spend a lot of money until I find something that works.