can someone recommand me a headphone amp and a Dac or a combo

F

furyagain

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Messages
297
I am a noob in headphones
and i am looking for a AMP/DAC or combo for my headphone when i am away from home...

before that, i do have a question,
I have a USB soundblaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 for my notebook,,
can it work as a DAC? ( i know it is a DAC but will it give me a pretty decent sound quality ?when compare to some standalone DAC >>>?

for sure i know i need a AMP as when i plug in the DT-880
i have to have my volume set to 85-90% inorder to get ok level

if the sound blaster is not really good enough/if i can replace it cheap with a combo (amp/dac) i will just drop the sound blaster..

but will the AMP/DAC combo works with games ???
when i play games can i still use my usb sound blaster and then plug in the amp/dac combo?and only use the amp part>
 
GUys what you guys think of the EMU 0404???

it is not that expensive...

is it any good?
 
I've read that the Total Bithead portable headphone amp is quite good, especially for its price ~$160 (compared to other "audiophile" quality headphone amps that is.)

http://headphone.com/products/headphone-amps/the-mobile-line/headroom-total-bithead.php

Here's a review from a knowledgeable techie:
http://www.dansdata.com/tbitety.htm

You may want to try out the ultracheap and ultraportable poor man's headphone amp (without a DAC) fiio e5... since it looks like your USB X-Fi output can't handle your relatively high impeadance headphones. I got mine off of ebay for <$15 shipped, you can also get it at dealextreme.com fro $17.41 shipped. It's so inexpensive, what have you got to lose? Alot of guys with portable music players use this amp with their audiophile quality headphones, just check out anythingbutipod.com

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Head-Direct/FiiO/E3E5
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/fiio-e5-amp-e3-upgraded-356177/
e5 frequency response graphs in this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/pictorial-impression-fiio-e5-sample-vs-final-product-382627/

Personally, I didn't hear any difference with my Grado SR60's nor did a friend with his SR80's, but since they're both low impeadance headphones that's probably why. Another friend with some AudioTechnica headphones with higher impeadance and he thought the fiio e5 smoothed out the sound.
 
IMO, I hate the Total Bithead. If you're gonna get an amp, I would say to get a Mini^3 at minimum (~$100 at new).
 
Alai said:
IMO, I hate the Total Bithead. If you're gonna get an amp, I would say to get a Mini^3 at minimum (~$100 at new).
Click to expand...

I'd be interested in what you didn't like about the Total Bithead.
BTW there is no DAC in the reference Mini3 design.
 
bbf said:
I'd be interested in what you didn't like about the Total Bithead.
BTW there is no DAC in the reference Mini3 design.
Click to expand...

He never said he wanted ONLY combo suggestions. Read the OP's second line. As for the DAC, an Alien DAC or Bantam DAC will do fine for an entry level.

As for the Bithead... I thought the amplifier was weak, I hate the power switch they use because it feels cheap, the battery dies pretty easily after some use... just overall bad. DAC section was ok.

Another great (IMO amazing) entry level amp that is hard to beat is the Headamp AE series. I sold the AE-1 for about 150? Maybe it was 100, I don't remember. But let's just say it's an amazing amp that has an amazing battery life. Even the first of the series. The current model is the AE-2. It's supposedly even better... but I think the used prices are higher than with the AE-1. Only thing is... good luck finding a used AE-1 for sale. It's such a good amp that people rarely sell theirs. I only sold mine to move up to a mid-range full blown desktop amp.
 
Pyle make some cheap stereo mini-amps in the 15W, 40W, and 75W varieties. There's two model 75W versions that are slightly different. All except one of the two 7W amps have a headphone out so you could probably get one of those. They're pretty small, but it depends what you consider portable enough. Check the dimensions.
 
I recommend against portable amplifiers or DAC/amps. Voltage will be pretty low, and probably insufficient for harder-to-drive cans.
 
Leman said:
I recommend against portable amplifiers or DAC/amps. Voltage will be pretty low, and probably insufficient for harder-to-drive cans.
Click to expand...

In general, yes. But the ones I've listed can and have driven the K701 (I also have) very well. And have good battery life, especially the Headamp.
 
I use the total bithead with my laptop. Works great for me. As for the battery life on it, just use it as a DAC plugged into he USB port and you never have to worry about the batteries dying or even putting batteries in it.

If you plan on using it as a portable amp from time to time with a MP3 player then i suggest you look elsewhere. Too bulky to be considered portable IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top