The awtk is anything but thin with my setup rme adi2 dac and topping a90 amp
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The idea of taking something cheap-ish and making it sound like a high-end product has always appealed to be greatly. Now I plan to use the Beyer DT880 600ohm Zsetup with the a speaker amp.
My question is: How important is speaker amp quality if I already have a decent DAC (Topping D10)? Would there be noticable difference using a Lepai, Nobsound, or SMSL SA36 vs a pricier speaker amp?
Thanks, guys!
I THINK, based on the emotiva a-100 recommendation, it might be better to look around a speaker amp with similar specs. smsl sa36 is less half of that, which is probably not enough
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Does this mean I should be looking at something thatâs 50WPC or more?
possibly, but keep in mind that Z was using it with a lowered input level to get more power from the amp into the headphones. You absolutely donât need that much power to get them loud. Z just said that if you lower the input by say 10-12db and use a more powerful amp it sounds better for some reason (way better in his opinion).
it would be nice to have confirmation on this.
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I have just wrote up a tutorial on how to mod the DT880 600ohm to balance. Basically separating the grounds and going with the more common dual 3.5mm cable.
So right now, I am essentially powering them with my THX 789, which does 400mw at 600ohm. It isnât as powerful as the Emotiva BasX A100 which does 600mw, but itâs close and it is just right. You donât have to crank it up to full tilt and suffer through distortion.
I can hear the micro details of Yoko Kannoâs Piano Solo without being analytical. Itâs just more of there. Itâs not as spacious as an Elex, but the Elex doesnât have this kind of detail too. The highs are well controlled too at that power, so no treble murder.
If you can and you feel comfortable, I do recommend modding it. It does bring out the best of it, especially with more power from balanced amps.
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I dont think the RNHP is a good amp for beyers lol. especially the high impedance ones, my dt800 600ohm i have to turn it up to max to get enough volume. not good. like the OP I wish i had a more powerful amp. so whats the cheapest most power amp for these? something under 200$ would be nice
Zeos says they need power, but says the THX amps distort for some reason
Asgard 3 works really well. $200.
Thatâs because single ended on the THX is weak and if you push the gain to max, youâre overvolting the input, and thus getting distortion.
Thatâs why balance mod, now I run the DT880 on medium gain balanced, between 10-12 oâclock, and it sounds really good.
well thats one way to address the issue lol
Do you lower the input volume level too? just curious
No, but thatâs a different problem relating to the 789.
i gave in and bought the headphone. I just need to know which amp can drive this headphone properly. Which is better for it? Whatâs your guys recommendations? Currently iâm looking at the RNHP or the Aune S7 Pro on Drop. Is there something thatâs better? Money isnât an issue for these two, but iâm open to others if the math fits the 600 ohms.
By spec the Aune will work fine. Other members of this forum have said the RNHP handles the 880 very well too. I run them off an Asgard 3 or a Darkvoice with great results on each.
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And I have had good results with the SMSL SP200. It looks like the cheapest Amps that would work are the Schiit Magni 3+ and Heresy.
random question, would the RNHP or Aune S7 Pro be able to drive the STAX SR-L700MK2 very well? Possibly going to invest in these in the distant future.
Wonât drive them - you need an electrostatic energiser for stax.
i can hear my wallet weeping in the future. oh well lol thanks for the heads up
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There are units floating around that you can convert high power amp into electrostatic charge for stax but if you are spending L700 money youâd probably want to use higher end energisers
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mind showing me some examples? plz n ty