[Gulleyowl]

HOTUSB3 USB DAC High-Performance Headphone Amplifier - eBay (item 260246231418 end time Jun-29-08 11:06:00 PDT)

I am planning on getting this DAC/AMP.
Would a AKG K701 (or maybe a Beyer 880) be too much headphone for the amp, or would something like the Grado SR60s be more in line?

I can afford either pair of headphones, but I just think it would be a shame to go to high and not be able to benefit because my DAC/AMP isn't enough.

Thanks very much.

 

[Herandu]

Without having seen the inside of it I bet you it uses a PCM27XX or PCM29XX chip for everything. Headphone output level on those two chips won't drive a K701 to anything other than a whisper. Period. It is well overpriced as well.

 

[Gulleyowl]

I can have either a PCM2707 or a PCM2705 in it.

Other people claim that it can power the phones fine.
Power Output = 12 mW, R = 32 Ohms
I am a total n00b, though, so those figures mean next to nothing to me.

I was thinking more in terms of sound quality, though.

Thanks very much.

 

[Caution]

you really really really do not want to skimp on amplification with either the K701 or DT-880s. a lot of entry level and some mid level home amps have trouble powering both with authority, so I very much doubt the amp you linked to would power them well.

 

[-=Germania=-]

Get an emu 0404, M-Audio Transit, Zero DAC, etc. before you would get that. There are afew DAC/amp combos on ebay and this is one place thjat you really don't want to skimp too much because a bad source will make everything else bad.

 

[GordonFreeman]

Or custom order the 880s at 32 Ohm and you wont need an amp at all. Spend that 129 on custom Beyers. 701s? No way. After a year or a month or what have you, then you can buy an amp and in the mean time enjoy the 880s straight out of your sound card or DAP.

 

[hotaudio40]

I think the HOTUSB3 would be great for those phones. It will give you a GREAT DAC for your money, one that I believe would be hard to match for the money. It is hand built and has a very 'sweet' , 'warm' sound, as well as being extremely accurate.

It has the 1/4 inch jack that the AKG K701 phones have, and also I believe would match up great with them. Plus if your not happy, I'll give you a full refund. I'll even refund your shipping. The HOTUSB3 listed has a new lower price as well. It's on sale

And later, if you do decide you need more power, you'd want a great sounding DAC in front of your AKG K701 anyways....


Thanks!
Dave.

 

[G-man]

sorry to hijack, but would the 701 be ok with a SOHA level 1 amp?