Would I benefit from an amp if using a DAC & Headphones?

Ice Rich · 20 Jun 2023 at 09:53

Hello,

I have a DAC Magic+ with some HD650 headphones and i'm very impressed with how it is all sounding. I have a few spare funds and would like to put it into something sound related and wondered if I would benefit at all from getting an amp? I'm presuming the DAC i'm using now must have something built-in already as it is powering the headphones...

I guess what I an asking (and still a bit confused by) - is an amp used to boost signal or provide power to speakers? (if the latter i don't think it would be of any use as the speakers I do use, when not using headphones, are active with power built-in)

Thank you

henry hoov3r · 20 Jun 2023 at 09:59

The Amp will just boost volume. Im running Hd560s with an atom amp I would recommend it personally.

Ice Rich · 20 Jun 2023 at 12:12

Thank you - are you connected to a DAC also?

danoliver1 · 20 Jun 2023 at 12:18

Answer is maybe. The dacmagic will do a decent job but a dedicated amp would sound better, by how much is debatable. Valve amps seem to do well with the hd 650s.

Ice Rich · 20 Jun 2023 at 12:25

Interesting , thank you.
Where would the amp sit do you know - would it be after the DAC? As it would be just for headphones really (rather then speakers) could I run a cable from headphone out on the dac to the amp?

danoliver1 · 20 Jun 2023 at 13:07

You would use the RCA or XLR connectors on the back of the amp to the amps RCA/XLR input. You set the dac magic to output at 100% line level the use the new amp to control the volume. Whats your budget?

Ice Rich · 20 Jun 2023 at 13:13

Thank you, I will have a look on back of DAC now for those inputs.

I have a budget of 200

C64 · 1 Jul 2023 at 20:47

The 650's would benefit more from a powerful dedicated headphone amp than just a dac

4Qman · 1 Jul 2023 at 21:35

Sorry to chime in...

I am also looking for some headphones, if I was to use the Fidelio x2 with a laptop what amp would be suited.. also will they be ok for movies?

henry hoov3r · 2 Jul 2023 at 17:59

Ice Rich said:
Thank you - are you connected to a DAC also?

Sorry ive only just picked this up. I am using a dac but its only an apple dongle. I was put on to it by some guys on reddit and apparently for the little outlay they are hard to beat.

C64 · 4 Jul 2023 at 22:58

4Qman said:
Sorry to chime in...

I am also looking for some headphones, if I was to use the Fidelio x2 with a laptop what amp would be suited.. also will they be ok for movies?

superb for movies huge soundtsage and slam any cheap amp would improve them but they don't necessarily need an amp try them first might sound good enough on the laptops onboard sound
they are not hard to drive headphones but of course will sound better on a headphone amp/dac than a low end soundcard

PapaLazaru · 6 Jul 2023 at 23:37

The HD650's are still superb headphones, keep them. The DAC is ok, you will get more power and improved sound, look at the iFi Audio ZEN CAN Signature 6XX Headphone Amp.