Headphone amp upgrade or not!!! Help!

[mc.god]

A possible issue with using such low resistor values is that one reaches current limits of the amp which might paint an incorrect picture of the actual output resistance of the amp.
It can be used but only while looking at the waveform using a scope (or soundcard that is used as a scope).

When using such a low value resistor and not able to monitor wave-forms the open voltage (so without a load) should not be higher than 0.2V as most amps can deliver 20mA.
When one is using 1V open voltage then the amp in question must be able to source at least 100mA.

Thank you, this is a very helpful hint as always. It probably explains something that always bothered me as a dumb electronic wannabe: when i tried measuring output impedance of the Ugreen Hifi dongle i got 2 different result in high gain mode and low gain mode, respectively set at max 2 V and 1V open voltage, both were much higher than expected, with high gain much worse than low gain (got around 8 ohm when it should be near 0 as shown by @staticV3 ). Now i know that i should have lowered the open voltage to much much less. Measuring my Denon PRA1500 in the same way produced results in line with expectations derived from its circuit schematics (output series resistors), probably due to its much higher current capability than a dongle.

 

[Pearlsparrow]

A possible issue with using such low resistor values is that one reaches current limits of the amp which might paint an incorrect picture of the actual output resistance of the amp.
It can be used but only while looking at the waveform using a scope (or soundcard that is used as a scope).

When using such a low value resistor and not able to monitor wave-forms the open voltage (so without a load) should not be higher than 0.2V as most amps can deliver 20mA.
When one is using 1V open voltage then the amp in question must be able to source at least 100mA.


What it will do is ensure you can play the headphone a LOT louder without running into distortion and as it has a low output resistance it won't modify the tonal balance of headphones.

It is severe overkill in headphone power and perhaps only really needed when attempting to play inefficient planar headphones really loud.
Not that this is a problem with normal usage but some headphones are rated 30mW and when lying on a desk and accidentally playing such a headphone really loud that headphone could blow up in seconds.

I am not interested in the power it can produce, but the overall sound. StaticV3 said to me that an amp wont make a sound difference, what about a DAC upgrade? Is this the same story? Not an audible difference?

 

[solderdude]

The current DAC you are using is fine and this one won't bring anything else to the table than the wireless input, lower output R and higher output power.

Basically the same story.

 

[Pearlsparrow]

The current DAC you are using is fine and this one won't bring anything else to the table than the wireless input, lower output R and higher output power.

Basically the same story.

Can someone help me understand why this is true. How can a Audio interface with 200€ have the same sound quality with a dedicated DAC that costs a lot more. Or is it that the sound difference is only 1-2% ?

 

[solderdude]

Because they both do the exact same thing. Convert sample values to voltages.
The accuracy is audibly the same.
Differences in DACs are in specs (far below audible thresholds) can differ in sample rates and bit depth, connectivity, looks, build quality, usage of newer parts, output voltage (range) functionality, reconstruction filters, built-in EQ, headphone amp sections....etc.
The signal accuracy (sound quality) is NOT the primary difference. Manufacturers, sellers and reviewers just make that out to be the case.. reason... financial gain but is presented as 'what the consumer wants/needs'.

 

[Pearlsparrow]

Because they both do the exact same thing. Convert sample values to voltages.
The accuracy is audibly the same.
Differences in DACs are in specs (far below audible ttesholds) can differ in sample rates and bit depth, connectivity, looks, build quality, usage of newer parts, output voltage (range) functionality, reconstruction filters, built-in EQ, headphone amp sections....etc.
The signal accuracy (sound quality) is NOT the primary difference. Manufacturers, sellers and reviewers just make that out to be the case.. reason... financial gain but is presented as 'what the consumer wants'.

Very informative. Well done. Thank you for taking the time to explain this to me.