Reducing Output impedance of a DAC/AMP

[confucius_zero]

Say the Apogee Groove has a huge output impedance of 21ohm. Can I diminish it by hooking it into a JDS Atom (1ohm)?

 

[Tene]

Yeah, the final output impedance will be the one of your Atom.

 

[solderdude]

yes

 

[wiggum]

Say the Apogee Groove has a huge output impedance of 21ohm. Can I diminish it by hooking it into a JDS Atom (1ohm)?

Yes, as others have mentioned it. I am not sure why you are complicating things. Why not listen to it directly? Most low impedance headphones don't have the impedance vary with frequency. The only exceptions I know are Sennheiser 5XX and Koss KSC75 whose impedance do vary. For high impedance (>300ohm) cans, it is less than 300/8 and it shouldn't affect the FR.

I would say just listen to it directly and enjoy the music.

Edit: $295 for the Apogee Groove? My dropped jaws haven't recovered yet.

 

[WondrousHippo]

Yes, as others have mentioned it. I am not sure why you are complicating things. Why not listen to it directly? Most low impedance headphones don't have the impedance vary with frequency. The only exceptions I know are Sennheiser 5XX and Koss KSC75 whose impedance do vary. For high impedance (>300ohm) cans, it is less than 300/8 and it shouldn't affect the FR.

I would say just listen to it directly and enjoy the music.

Edit: $295 for the Apogee Groove? My dropped jaws haven't recovered yet.

In-ear monitors with multiple balanced armature drivers can often have their impedance vary WILDLY with their frequency. For example, here's the ATH-IM02's impedance. High output impedances make it sound brighter.

 

[confucius_zero]

I am not sure why you are complicating things. Why not listen to it directly?

I would say just listen to it directly and enjoy the music.

This is a forum to look for technical curiosities and "listening to it directly" isn't a practice that yields conclusive but leisure results to such standards.