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Planning to buy HD6XX, is on-board audio good enough?

Ferdock

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I plan to buy the HD6XX soon and would like to get dedicated amp/dac at some later date unless my motherboard audio isn't good enough. I have a Gigabyte X470 gaming 7 (rev 1.1) here's the link: https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/X470-AORUS-GAMING-7-WIFI-50-rev-11#kf

I'm unsure if it can drive 300ohm and how good would it sound compared to a dedicated setup. If the difference is small enough I'll hold off on buying dedicated.
 

solderdude

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Just buy an amp like the:
JDS Atom
Schiit Heresy
monoprice liquid spark
FiiO K5
Topping A30, L30
JDS O2 (portable)
Archel 2 Pro

and you are good to go.
Stay away from amps that are specified at 32 Ohm only, these might not be enough.
Later

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages/Audio_DAC_Performance_Index/
Look for 100mW or more into 300 Ohm amplifiers.
When you only plan to use the HD6XX it also isn't a problem to buy an amp with 10 Ohm output resistance/impedance either which widens the playing field.
More expensive does not mean better.
 

Get a hearing test

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Onboard wont be good enough even if it has good audio implementation with good caps. As its just an afterthought even when its not. hd600 sounds good on a x99 but its so bland\flat once you hear it amped and with a good dac. atom+khadas tone board in my case.
 
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Ferdock

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Just an update I ended up getting a magni heresy with the 6xx's. Was gonna get a modi 3 also but I really don't like micro usb (hopefully next gen they switch to usb-c). I've heard from others that using my motherboard for a dac is ok for the time being
 

Get a hearing test

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Just an update I ended up getting a magni heresy with the 6xx's. Was gonna get a modi 3 also but I really don't like micro usb (hopefully next gen they switch to usb-c). I've heard from others that using my motherboard for a dac is ok for the time being
Mobo will be just fine for now. But do look to add a dac, i can say khadas tone board is excellent. It made a bigger difference than adding atom amp.
If i can plot the improvements in percentages in my case:
I started by driving hd600 from a my pc mobo dac about 50% of the way there
from an old pc: it was awful, like 20-30%. High noise floor
From a phone with a decent audio dac: about 30% Didnt have enough juice but quiet at max volume and no audio playing.
An audio interface i got for my mic behringer 202hd: 70% of the way there
x99 mobo and atom amp 60% of the way there. The interface had an edge, but had a noisier operation that. maybe 65%.
atom amp and khadas tone board 90-95% By far the biggest improvement. or in my case 100% as its my reference now.
 
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