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DT990 250ohm or 600ohm + DAC

Yankes123

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Hello,

I am planning to buy a pair of headphones + DAC (+AMP in one package or separately).
I like V type sound signature for music (fast and punchy, not lazy, meaty bass and good highs that don't pierce ears though) and I play CS:GO a lot so good positioning is important. My choice narrowed down to Beyerdynamic DT990. I need an advice regarding the source and the ohm version.
Portability is not important, I'll use these connected to my PC only. My budget for DT990 + DAC (or DAC + AMP combo) is 350 Euro. If it will be really worth to add extra 50-100 Euro I can do taht but prefer not to unless it's a game changer.

I am a bit scared of piercing highs so a DAC which slightly smoothens those out would be great. In terms of power if I fit within 350 euro for everything then 600ohm headphones would be preffered as they have slightly smoother highs, if I cannot fit within my budget I prefer the 250ohms that would be driven properly.

What is the cheapest DAC (or DAC + AMP combo) that would drive the DT990 600ohm properly? I was thinking about Topping DX3 PRO but I am not sure if this is enough and would fit with the sound signature. What DAC would fit the DT990 250ohm version if were to chose them?
FX Audio X6 MKII is cheap and looks like could drive the 600ohms. Has anyone bought this and care compare it to anything?
Also please advise cheapest possible DACs for the 600ohm and 250ohm versions that would actually drive them properly.

Thank you in advance!
 
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solderdude

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I am a bit scared of piercing highs

Not 1 DAC will attenuate or smooth an 8kHz peak. There are passive and active solutions for the treble peak.
Some people are not bothered by it and even like it.
No DAC nor amp will tame the treble peak, regardless how many folks claim this.

Any amp that can supply 100 to 200mW in 300Ohm is suffiecient for this headphone.
 
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Yankes123

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Not 1 DAC will attenuate or smooth an 8kHz peak. There are passive and active solutions for the treble peak.
Some people are not bothered by it and even like it.
No DAC nor amp will tame the treble peak, regardless how many folks claim this.

Any amp that can supply 100 to 200mW in 300Ohm is suffiecient for this headphone.

100 to 200mW is double the power :D Do you mean 100mW for 250ohm and 200mW for 600ohm? Any reccomendations?

thanks!
 

solderdude

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its a range where you are 'safe' when looking at amps not specified in 600 Ohm but only specified in 300 Ohm (kind of a standard)
So when amps are rated somewhere between/around 100mW to 200mW in 300 Ohm it will be enough to drive 600 Ohm (and of course also 250 Ohm) Beyers.

The 600 Ohm version needs to have a gain of at least +10dB, the 250 Ohm at least +6dB if you want to play pleasantly loud now and then.

I have no recommendations, everything fitting that description and distortion below 0.01% and FR between 20 and 20kHz is enough.
Output resistance of the amplifier is completely irrelevant for the mentioned headphones.

So look for one that has the looks you like. Connectors you want (so NOT balanced out). Output power specified in 300 Ohm (forget power levels only specified at 32 Ohm) and you are good enough.
 
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Yankes123

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Great, if anyone can advise about 3 models that would fit within the budget for 250ohm and 600ohm versions it would be appreciated
For now it looks like DT990 600ohm + DX3 pro is my pick then, if there is no big difference in terms of sound quality but a big price difference then recommendations for DT990 250ohm + budget DAC would be really appreciated
 

lawk

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I use the 600ohm 990 with the Sabaj D4 dac/amp. I use it at 30 out of 40 volume steps. I think it powers it fine.

only if a .mkv movie or weird movie rip is recorded at very low levels it can be too low.
 
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Yankes123

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I will wait for Black Friday for discounts. The setup will be Topping E30 + JDS Labs Atom AMP + Beyerdynamic DT990 600ohm. This should be also future proof since it will be good with almost any headphones on the market.
 

wasnotwasnotwas

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I will wait for Black Friday for discounts. The setup will be Topping E30 + JDS Labs Atom AMP + Beyerdynamic DT990 600ohm. This should be also future proof since it will be good with almost any headphones on the market.
You might have more luck getting a combi deal on topping e30 and L30 dac and amp. Splitting hairs between the L30 and atom.
 
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Yankes123

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With dt990 600ohm? Almost all, I listen music at about 115db loudest, for that you need 100mw @600ohm
 
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Yankes123

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By measuring current soundcard drive capability vs current headphones drive difficulty, when at max volume they produce around 115db
 
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