Any recommendations for a DAC/AMP for headphone use from PC?

Space Monkey

Space Monkey

Space Monkey

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Hey guys,

I'm looking at getting either of the following headphones (please also recommend which one to get)

  • Sennheiser HD598
  • Philips M1
  • Philips X1


But wanted to know is it worth while using an Asus STX soundcard (has headphone amp in built) or the new STX IIs?

Or get a USB DAC/AMP setup for the listed headphones above? Most I could spend would be about £150-170 but less if possible?

Thanks :)
 
Thanks for the excellent info :)

I knew I'd forget something, my main criteria is listening to music, with a little bit of gaming and yes the budget is either a soundcard or a DAC / AMP unit.

Would you get the X1 or DT990 Pro's?
 
Psycho Sonny said:
Do you want to use the headphones solely with the PC? or with a console, blu ray player, sky? etc as well?

Sent you a trust message
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Just PC music (high quality rips direct from CDs) & some gaming but positional audio etc isn't needed.


rids57 said:
an STX for £70 would definitely be worth getting, I didn't see much (if any) difference between it and my external DAC with the DT990's and it was only with the AKG K702's that differences became more apparent.
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Just bought it, can't wait, thanks for your help :)


ethan said:
I personally wouldn't bother with a soundcard tbh. Get a combined dac/headphone amp and if you wish to upgrade at a later date you would have the option of selling on what you purchase for greater value. Your equipment would be of superior quality than a soundcard, regardless.
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Just bought the STX before you posted, I think when rids said the difference is subtle from an STX to a DAC/AMP combo, I decided to save some cash (for now until the upgrade bug bites :D) and get some decent cans, should be better than onboard audio and a gaming headset lol :)
 
Thanks rids, again excellent information, appreciate it :)

I do listen to a lot of genres, but I love artists like Jarre, Vangelis, and especially loving the 2 albums by Daft Punk for the Tron Legacy movie (mostly electronic/orchestral)

From your experience, which headphones would you suggest? (and when you say the AKG K702s are greatly reduced, is the price £164 or are they cheaper elsewhere?)

Thanks :)
 
rids57 said:
Can't recall hearing much Daft Punk but if you like listening to Jarre and Vangelis then the 702's or Q701's would take some beating. I listen to a lot of Yes, Oldfield, Jarre, Al Di Meola, King Crimson, ELP, Eric Johnson, Satriani and for this type of music the AKG's are a league above the others. I still prefer the Beyers for heavier rock as they have a more satisfying bass growl but most of the time I find myself using the AKGs.

I just went and had a listen to Daft Punk on YouTube, so quality wasn't the greatest, on the STX with both headphones:

There is a fair amount of bass on DP tracks and the Beyers definitely bring that out more but the AKG's made it much easier to pick out every instrument/voice, the Beyers were much more "compressed" in comparison.

I guess it boils down to where your priorities lie, if it's bass then go for the Beyers or if it's sound stage, mids and separation then go with the AKGs. The Q701's might be a good compromise but they cost more and depend on your hair. :D
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Ah Satriani, got some of his early work, surfing with the alien and the like, and some Vai and of course some Malmsteen, also love listening to Yello :cool:

So tough call, as I love crystal clear mids and highs and tight clean bass, but I'd hate for a set to be really lacking in the bass dept, I'm by no means a bass head, but still like it to have impact when and how it should be?

I have short but thick hair so I may nosey at the Q701s?
 
rids57 said:
Is there nowhere you could listen to them locally?
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Not sure, I'll see if any local stores do demos?


rids57 said:
The safer bet would be the DT990's as they sound good no matter what kind of music you are playing.
The AKG's are notoriously difficult to drive and so do respond to better amping, they actually do change their signature over time (unlike most headphones) and can be described as bass light - but only if you compare them with something like the X1 which is bass boosted. People tend to have a love/hate relationship with these, some people just can't get past the lack of booming bass but once you're past that they really shine.
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Thinking about my main styles of music, most aren't bass heavy, so I may still enjoy the 702s? And the STX can drive up to 600ohm cans, is it not enough for the 702s? If not I best delete them from my list?
 
So are the Q701s likely to have the same sensitivity issues with the STX as the 702s do? Same family of cans etc?

I think my preference based on your info is either of the AKGs especially the Q's as they seem to get rave reviews, but just worried that the STX won't be doing them any justice and I'll be disappointed (even though this'll be my first time using such higher end cans)?
 
I wish I'd read up first, I thought any headphones would work with the STX but it seems it's not that simple?

So is the STX too powerful for the X1s?

My other choice in the OP were the Philips M1's, what hifi gave them a glowing review?
 
I've not decided 100%, just want the best I can for my money to pair with the STX :)

I like to be able to hear different instruments, notes etc, clean clear sound with enough tight controlled bass, I don't want a sterile sound and I don't want muddy either, something that makes me enjoy my music?

I'm not sure how much leakage these open cans have as my wife works in the same room, so it's got me thinking I need closed backed but would that destroy any decent sounds, ie the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro's?
 
Excellent thanks, between yours & rids info, it looks like I'll be getting the DT770 Pro's as that'll help to not disturb the wife, and if you say they're a good listen, then I guess that's that, only question now is, are the 250Ohm's the best pairing with the STX?

Thanks all so far for all the info :)
 
Ryanr1987 said:
It's really upto you. Both are sensitive and easy to drive. It really doesn't matter. If you plan on adding say a tube amp then I would probably say that the 250 is a better idea.

The 770s no matter the ohm really can be driven off anything with a half decent Dac. The simple answer would be just get what you can drive!
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That's a good point, I do like the idea later on of upgrading to a better DAC / AMP unit, it's just a limited budget holding me back at the moment, so as long as the 250 Ohm's are not going to suffer on the STX then I may just give them a whirl?
 
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