Hey,
I’m new to forums and stuff so apologies if I’m doing this wrong. I have Sennheiser Momentum wireless 2.0’s and I think they’re great but was wondering if I could benefit from an AMP/DEC. I use it to listen to music from my iPhone and PC (through the motherboard with aux cable. It’s a really cheap motherboard), and play games on PC and PS4. It’s a low impedance so assume I won’t need one but think I want to try. Just seeing if anyone can tell me if I’m being crazy. It’d be around £100 or less spending money, some leniency though.
I’ve also been considering getting open back headphones for gaming. I play single player games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and FPS games like Apex Legends. I’m looking at options such as Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X, Philips Fidelio X2HR, AKG K701, etc. If I’d need an AMP to power any of these then I’d get that first and then save up for the headphones. I’m not tied to any headphone, just would appreciate some advice.
Seems like a good candidate for ifi Zen Dac type solution. They won’t power everything, but should be good for all things mentioned. Not sure what it runs over the pond.
I have AD500x’s, if the ATH-AD700x behave similarly, then they will be fine without an amp (although they certainly benefit from having one).
Signature and imaging wise, they are great for gaming.
Points to consider are they are very open (= they don’t block any sound) and the headband/earcup design means they either fit perfectly on your head or not at all (can be somewhat tuned by putting a hairtie round the headband-flaps).
MF is right. I firmly believe every headphone needs a proper headphone amp. a DAC will help (and should be bought), but they’re more nuanced in their effects while the benefit of the amp will be immediately noticed!
I’ll have a look into the ifi Zen Dac, thanks. If you would recommend them MazeFrame then I would get the AD500X because they’re quite a bit cheaper. I assume getting an AMP/DAC combo would be the easiest choice but I’m not sure. I’ve got my eye on the Syba Sonic because of it’s price, but if it’s worth the upgrade then I wouldn’t mind spending more for the FiiO Q1ii or Liquid Spark, but I don’t know if these are good options. Do you think I’d need these for my current headphones? I mainly use them plugged in and they’re 28 ohm impedance. Thanks for the help so far
I’d like to offer further support for the zen dac. It’s amazing for the price. Later on you can stack it with the zen can and get the 3D effect too, which is great for games and movies. I have a micro ican and the XBass and 3D are features that I leave on 100% of the time. They’re awesome, and IMO, for fun use, well worth the cost of entry. I also use a modi multibit at home and find that the zen dac alone is really close to the performance/signature of my mimby/ican combo (which I paid about $550 for). The only thing that I really find lacking in the zen dac is an optical input.
Thanks! I’ve looked into it and it seems really good! And I didn’t consider getting the Zen Can but that’s a great idea. But the Zen Dac is difficult to find in my area I think it would be my best option but I’m also looking at the ifi Hip Dac. I’m not sure if it’d be better to wait for the zen dac though or to just get the hip dac. I think I’ll be able to just use the USB connection for PC and PS4, and am assuming these don’t work on mobile.
You could approach this a few ways. I personally prefer using the optical out of my tv to send the signal to my dac. So whether I’m on ps5, pc, or using the smart tv, the source will always automatically change for it.
Unfortunately the zen dac does not have an optical input though. I’m not sure if the ps4 or 5 will output audio via usb. The will output audio via hdmi though, so there’s probably an hdmi to USB adapter you could use.
One nice thing the zen can has that the others don’t is a 3.5 mm analog input. So you could actually just run a 3.5 mm cable straight from your phone, ps4 controller, pc, etc. straight to the zen can. A stand-alone dac would still improve the sound, but could be brought into the chain later on.
I also have a hip dac and find the sound to be quite different from the zen. The zen dac is more relaxed, warm, refined, cleaner etc. The hip dac seems more aggressive, neutral, and less refined. The hip dac XBass also seems stronger than zen dac true bass. I think the true bass is better implemented, but know others may disagree.
They’re both great little units, but i think the zen dac is better and can be brought up even higher with a zen can.
I’ve just found the Zen Dac for £129 ($178) which is the best deal (and only place) I’ve found it in so far. And the Zen Can is the same price so I can easily save up and get that later (assuming it’s better to get the DAC first). Thank you, I think I’ve finally made my mind up about which AMP/DAC to get Online there’s alot of talk about the audio being inverted and not working, but I think that can be fixed by sending the audio to the tv, and connecting the AMP/DAC to the tv. Now just to pick headphones
I think it would be my best option but I’m also looking at the ifi Hip Dac. I’m not sure if it’d be better to wait for the zen dac though or to just get the hip dac. I think I’ll be able to just use the USB connection for PC and PS4, and am assuming these don’t work on mobile.
Online there’s alot of talk about the audio being inverted and not working, but I think that can be fixed by sending the audio to the tv, and connecting the AMP/DAC to the tv. Now just to pick headphones 
