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Dac/Amp, Headphones and Sonarworks problem

Luka

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Joined
May 26, 2020
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Hi,
I recently purchased AKG K702 headphones.
Looking online, I understood I needed a good amp to power them properly and bring them to the best of their capabilities.
I therefore bought a Matrix Audio M-Stage HPA-2 Classic as a Dac/Amp.

When I first used the combination, I was a little disappointed because I couldn't hear a "quality" difference in the sound, other than the fact that I could bring the volume higher.

I then bought Sonarworks Reference 4 for headphones, which at first I really liked what it did with the sound. It actually corrected what I didn't quite like so far about the headphones.
The big problem is:
When using the amp AND Reference 4, the sound often "breaks". Especially when there are loud low-ends.
But if I don't use the amp and just plug the headphones directly to the computer, this doesn't happen.
I'm really sad, because I really enjoy Reference 4… And I would feel bad not using an amp for these headphones as it seems to be a must, according to everyone on the internet.

I'm starting to think I just shouldn't even use an amp and sell it…

What do you guys think I should do?

EDIT!!!

Finally I found out I had to activate the safe headroom option in Reference 4 and it all works now!!!
Sorry folks haha


But then my question would be:
Should I hear a difference in quality with an amp or not that much?
Maybe my ears aren't trained enough to hear the differences in quality it can bring…?
 
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