Sennheiser 560s + Fiio New K3

[emel28]

Hello everyone!

I already have a pair of Sennheiser 560s and am wondering what getting an amp, specifically Fiio New K3 would exactly do. How much would the amp increase the quality of the sound? I don’t need more volume. I’ll be listening on my iPad and laptop.

 

[staticV3]

How much would the amp increase the quality of the sound? I don’t need more volume.

Likely not at all.

 

[emel28]

Likely not at all.

Thank you for the answer. Maybe a stupid question, but why do people by amps then?

 

[staticV3]

Thank you for the answer. Maybe a stupid question, but why do people by amps then?

There are like a hundred different reasons why someone might buy a new Amp.

Do you seriously want me to list them all?

 

[yafengabc]

Considering that the sensitivity of HD560s is 110db/V, a regular 1V output DAC is sufficient. However, it is still recommended that you buy an inexpensive DAC if you listen to music on the Android system. As is well known, most mobile phones now have removed the 3.5mm jack. Additionally, an external USB DAC can help bypass the SRC of the system

 

[alexandrul]

Depends on the laptop, I guess.
In my particular case, HD 560S sounds better on FiiO E10k than on the onboard audio.
After upgrading to K7 I've spent a few days splitting my Tidal tracks in 2 categories: "meh" and "wow".
As such, I would say that K7 is much better than E10k (from a sound quality point of view).

In your particular case I would visit a showroom which has both K3 and K7 and compare them.

 

[heraldo_jones]

Thank you for the answer. Maybe a stupid question, but why do people by amps then?

Usually more power or for the extras (DSD, EQ, Bluetooth ...)

 

[emel28]

Depends on the laptop, I guess.
In my particular case, HD 560S sounds better on FiiO E10k than on the onboard audio.
After upgrading to K7 I've spent a few days splitting my Tidal tracks in 2 categories: "meh" and "wow".
As such, I would say that K7 is much better than E10k (from a sound quality point of view).

In your particular case I would visit a showroom which has both K3 and K7 and compare them.

Thanks, I completely forgot about showrooms, I live nowhere near one.

 

[alexandrul]

You can check the units for sale in your area (I've seen a few K7 for sale a few months ago) or buy both units and keep only the one that makes you happy.

 

[LoFiAudiophile]

Thank you for the answer. Maybe a stupid question, but why do people by amps then?

All HP amps are competent now-a-days. You’ve already said you don’t need more volume, so that takes out pretty much the only reason to get “just an Amp”.

There are however very good reasons to get an Amp with an integrated DSP for parametric Eq and crossfeed that will meaningfully improve your sound experience. You might also like one just for the aesthetic reasons (some Amps look gorgeous!!) and that’s fine too.

Just don’t get one because you think it will improve “sound quality” - it’s not a thing anymore assuming you choose any of competent designs the cheapest of which starts at $9.99 (Apple dongle).