Need recommendation on Headphones Plz

[TooNice]

what is the advantage of having a headphone amp?

It depends the headphone (and amp) really. It can be a little of everything. The most prominent improvement is often in the low end (bass go deeper, harder).

I suppose that for the price of the HD650 without an amp, you could get the HD580 with an amp. That could be an interesting alternative.

 

[AMDPower]

thanks everyone for all your help, sorry for the late reply have had serious computer problems, but just one last thing if you dont mind

@TooNice
thanks for all your help, things are a lot more clear now and because of your post have made up my mind kinda now,

Sound Card (as transport) -> Dedicated DAC (as source) -> Dedicated Amp -> Headphone.

this is the setup i will aim for, but will first get headphone and soundcard.

headphones is HD650 but i am still not sure on the sound card, have decided to get a X-fi but which one should i get,

X-Fi Xtreme Music, X-Fi Platinum or X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS Edition since there is not much # between them,although would prefer the cheapest if it does not make much difference. i know you mentioned that the pro version is best with a dedicated DAC, but do i really need it as i am going to be getting them seperate in the very near future anyway?

thanks a lot m8t

 

[fish99]

If you're going to use an external DAC then you won't be using the DAC on the X-Fi, so just get the XtremeMusic.

 

[TooNice]

I agree with fish99.
The only reason to get any of the other version would be for the increased connectivity (I suppose it is worth mentioning that the X-Fi base card share the digital connector and microphone in).

 

[AMDPower]

big thanks to everyone who gave me advice, here.

when i get it all up and running, i will let you know how it goes but it will be after my exams(not long left). I really hope the sound is great.