infinityfine
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- Joined
- Nov 15, 2022
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I've been creating reddit threads and Facebook posts across everywhere trying to decide which headphones to get and which amplifiers to pair them with(my current problem).
Out of all the recommendations, from the AKG K7s, Senn HDXXX line, Audio Technicas, HIFIMANs, down to the 73usd(local price i can get) HE400se, and due to a almost month long of mixed reviews I've read everywhere, It all came down to Durability > Imaging > Soundstage > Bass to me. (1month could be an exaggeration from me but it feels like it.)
So the best option would obviously the Beyers DT line(cant afford the DT 1990 which would be my target when I get richer!) according to my budget. And the Pro X looks like they have lesser(??) durability.
Now down to why I created an account here.
Per what I've read everywhere, the DT 990 600Ω would sound in deafening bass levels whereas the DT 880 250Ω would be "boring". Are these true?
So my first question is what are the "strengths" of the 250Ω DT 990 over the 600Ω DT880 and vice versa?
The next problem which I really want resolved is the amp requirements on each.
This is such a rabbit hole, reminds me of when I researched about "just wanting to get a nice keyboard".
My source would be my motherboard which is a MSI B450M PRO-M2 MAX(MS-7B84) - only has USB ports
I've been looking everywhere and here are the models which I believe would work(?). Please note that this is only my noob ass's result of ignorant research.
DT 990 250Ω - 150USD
Other brands I have not listed are I have no idea if they exist. Any suggestions?
I would like to keep my budget below 200USD or cheaper for this Amplifier requirement.
Also, have no idea of the "ideal" compatibility of a dedicated DAC plus a dedicated AMP - apparently people call it a "stack".
Can I have a 50USD DAC and pair it with an expensive 150USD AMP?
Or a 250USD DAC/AMP 2in1? - Is this generally better? I want to make sure that the highest impedance level of the headphone will be reached via the mW spec it is rated on. I believe both headphones are rated at 90 to 96 mW?
I know that answering all of these could be too much to ask so I'm giving away all(less than 10) my giftable Steam games which would be real old games, some are not in Steam anymore.
Help a brother out will ya?
Out of all the recommendations, from the AKG K7s, Senn HDXXX line, Audio Technicas, HIFIMANs, down to the 73usd(local price i can get) HE400se, and due to a almost month long of mixed reviews I've read everywhere, It all came down to Durability > Imaging > Soundstage > Bass to me. (1month could be an exaggeration from me but it feels like it.)
So the best option would obviously the Beyers DT line(cant afford the DT 1990 which would be my target when I get richer!) according to my budget. And the Pro X looks like they have lesser(??) durability.
Now down to why I created an account here.
Per what I've read everywhere, the DT 990 600Ω would sound in deafening bass levels whereas the DT 880 250Ω would be "boring". Are these true?
So my first question is what are the "strengths" of the 250Ω DT 990 over the 600Ω DT880 and vice versa?
The next problem which I really want resolved is the amp requirements on each.
This is such a rabbit hole, reminds me of when I researched about "just wanting to get a nice keyboard".
My source would be my motherboard which is a MSI B450M PRO-M2 MAX(MS-7B84) - only has USB ports
I've been looking everywhere and here are the models which I believe would work(?). Please note that this is only my noob ass's result of ignorant research.
DT 990 250Ω - 150USD
- Topping A30 Pro rated at 840mW x2(???) @300Ω - 249USD
- Topping L30 II rated at 560mW x2 @300Ω - 149USD
- Topping A50s rated at I don't know, too much technicalities, there's THD @1kHz and @20kHz and @2Vrms IN - could someone explain?
- But it does say 90mW, 77mW, and 52mW x2 @300Ω - will the DTs benefit from a 6.5 or a 4.4mm cable?
- 219USD
- Topping DX3 Pro plus rated at I don't know again, there's two: THD @1kHz and THD @20kHz
- does say 160mW and 250mw x2 @300Ω - so I guess this is also okay?
- 175USD
- Also says that is it partly a DAC - is the output good enough to power the DT 990 250?
- How big of a difference would the L30 II have over it? the 840mW A30 Pro?
- Fiio K5 Pro ESS
- rated at 140mW @300Ω UAC/SPDIF IN - no "x2" like the others? what is UAC/SPDIF?
- rated at 170mW @300Ω LINE IN - Line IN? difference between a Line in and UAC/SPDIF?
- 170USD
- Also says that is it partly a DAC - is the output good enough to power the DT 990 250?
- Fiio K3 rated at 13mW @300Ω - 75USD
- Also says it's a DAC
- FX-Audio DAC-X6MKII rated at 200mW @300Ω - 62USD
- Also says it's a DAC - real cheap compared to others but is 200mW enough for 250Ω?
- ifi ZEN Air DAC - 105USD
- Says it's primarily a DAC but can output 36mW @300Ω - is this enough to power the DT 990?
- Schiit Fulla rated at 40mW RMS(??) @300Ω - 109USD
- Also says it's a DAC for Gaming
- Topping L50 rated at 290mW x2 @600Ω - 170USD
- Topping NX7 rated at 90mW x2 @600Ω - 160USD
- Portable - will there be a problem if I use it as a desktop amp? my motherboard only has USB ports.
- FX-Audio DAC-X6 rated at 90mW @600Ω - again no "x2"?
- Seems to me that it may also power the DT 990 since its rated 180mW @300Ω
- 53USD - so cheap, why?
- Schiit Magni Heresy/3plus rated at 215mW RMS(??) @600Ω - what is mW RMS per channel?
- 99USD - best deal? also rated 410mw for 300Ω
- Schiit Vali rated at 200mW RMS @600Ω
- 149USD - 50% more expensive than Magni, why?
Other brands I have not listed are I have no idea if they exist. Any suggestions?
I would like to keep my budget below 200USD or cheaper for this Amplifier requirement.
Also, have no idea of the "ideal" compatibility of a dedicated DAC plus a dedicated AMP - apparently people call it a "stack".
Can I have a 50USD DAC and pair it with an expensive 150USD AMP?
Or a 250USD DAC/AMP 2in1? - Is this generally better? I want to make sure that the highest impedance level of the headphone will be reached via the mW spec it is rated on. I believe both headphones are rated at 90 to 96 mW?
I know that answering all of these could be too much to ask so I'm giving away all(less than 10) my giftable Steam games which would be real old games, some are not in Steam anymore.
Help a brother out will ya?
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