Should I get an Amp/DAC for senn 660s?

[markosixtynine]

I'm a beginner looking to get into the audio world and i've found a good deal on some Senn 660s, and I want to get them. My primary use for them will be listening to music like most audiophiles, primarily just streaming from Spotify premium (side note, is it worth it to look into a service like Tidal, or does it not make a noticeable difference in regards to streaming quality/bitrate?) My secondary use for these would be competitive gaming like CS:GO as I've heard the 660s have a good soundstage and are real good at detecting footsteps and directionality of them.

This begs the question for me, is it worth it for me to pick up an Amp and/or DAC? I was just gonna get a standard magni/modi schiit stack but I want to know if this is even necessary for me. I'll be running the 660s from my PC, which is a custom rig that has an MSI PRO Z690-A motherboard. Not sure what exactly that means my computer is capable of soundwise and how much difference an Amp and/or DAC would make. I want very high quality audio if I'm going to be buying the 660s cans but I want to know if the Schiit stack would make a noticeable difference for me.

Any info or tips would be much appreciated, thanks

 

[twsecrest]

The motherboard uses Realtek ALC897 on-board audio.
Stack of Schiit sound good

 

[KeithPhantom]

I'm a beginner looking to get into the audio world and i've found a good deal on some Senn 660s, and I want to get them. My primary use for them will be listening to music like most audiophiles, primarily just streaming from Spotify premium (side note, is it worth it to look into a service like Tidal, or does it not make a noticeable difference in regards to streaming quality/bitrate?) My secondary use for these would be competitive gaming like CS:GO as I've heard the 660s have a good soundstage and are real good at detecting footsteps and directionality of them.

This begs the question for me, is it worth it for me to pick up an Amp and/or DAC? I was just gonna get a standard magni/modi schiit stack but I want to know if this is even necessary for me. I'll be running the 660s from my PC, which is a custom rig that has an MSI PRO Z690-A motherboard. Not sure what exactly that means my computer is capable of soundwise and how much difference an Amp and/or DAC would make. I want very high quality audio if I'm going to be buying the 660s cans but I want to know if the Schiit stack would make a noticeable difference for me.

Any info or tips would be much appreciated, thanks

If EQing, especially the bass, yes, an amplifier will come handy. If not, anything will drive them well at normal levels.

 

[AudioStudies]

Maybe not necessary for you, but beneficial for you.

 

[Sal1950]

I'm a beginner looking to get into the audio world and i've found a good deal on some Senn 660s, and I want to get them.

Great headphones, grab them up and start listening to them on the PC.
If everything sounds fine to you I'd just kick back and enjoy them for a while.
If you hear anything you don't like, like being able to hear keyboard strokes in the music then you can start saving up for that DAC/Amp.
Besides the Schitt you might also look at some pieces from Topping. Any of the three below will give you State Of The Art sound.

The Topping G3 was reviewed here by Amir and can even be used mobile. SOTA performance for only $299

Topping G5 Review (Portable DAC & HP Amp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping G5 portable, battery operated DAC, headphone amplifier with bluetooth. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $299. The G5 comes in a super stout metal enclosure. It is on the heavy side for a portable product (2 to 4 times...

www.audiosciencereview.com

At $599 you can go upscale with the Topping A90

Topping A90 Discrete Review (Headphone Amp & Preamp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping A90 Discrete balanced preamplifier and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $599. Announcement was supposed to be a few hours from now but one of the distributor already released it so here we go. As...

www.audiosciencereview.com

In the middle at $449 is the Topping DX5. It's just hard to ignore Topping in this component group. They're bringing so much excellent technology in at real world working man prices. It would be hard to go wrong with any of these.

Topping DX5 Review (DAC & HP Amp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping DX5 balanced stereo DAC and (unbalanced) headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $449. As you see the industrial design is all new. I like the large display and the feel of the volume control which is much...

www.audiosciencereview.com