Looking for a headphone AMP + DAC

[KnorkerGünther]

Hello,

 

 

I am currently looking at headphone amps + dacs for improving my music listening experience. I would only be using the device with my laptop and my Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 ohm headphones. I listen to mp3's with a bitrate of 256 kBit/s if this is of any importance.  I live in Germany, so my price limit in euros is about 80€. So I guess about 85$. This is defenitely the limit in fact I would prefer spending about 50€ instead.

 

First of all, I would like to know if an amp + dac would improve my sound quality at all or if this is just a waste of money because I am very happy with my headphones but if there is a way for making them even better that would be awesome.

 

I have been looking at the FiiO E10 which was also reviewed by Linus Tech Tips and it seemed very good for it's price. Sadly I can't really find it anywhere but only it's follow-up the E10K which is supposed to be even better (according to some reviews...).

 

I have also come across the SMSL M2 but I don't know if this is any good.

 

 

I hope some people can recommend what I am looking for! Thanks for the answers to my question!

 

knorkerGünther

 

[SSL]

It might make them better or it might not. If you don't notice any problems right now, the latter is most likely.

[xtroria]

Your laptop should be enough just for the 80 ohm version of DT770

[KnorkerGünther]

Your laptop should be enough just for the 80 ohm version of DT770

 

That is what I thought too but then I read that the Fiio E10K is recommended for headphones between 16-150 ohms and I encountered costomer reviews saying the sound of the 32 ohm edition and the Custom One Pro's were improved

[Fluffinator]

That is what I thought too but then I read that the Fiio E10K is recommended for headphones between 16-150 ohms and I encountered costomer reviews saying the sound of the 32 ohm edition and the Custom One Pro's were improved

Then they lie or got the placebo effect.

[xtroria]

That is what I thought too but then I read that the Fiio E10K is recommended for headphones between 16-150 ohms and I encountered costomer reviews saying the sound of the 32 ohm edition and the Custom One Pro's were improved

 

Yeah don't listen to those people. They gone beyond listening to music and headphone. They listen to their amps dacs and cables

[KnorkerGünther]

Then they lie or got the placebo effect.

 

Yeah don't listen to those people. They gone beyond listening to music and headphone. They listen to their amps dacs and cables

 

I kind of thought that as well. I will maybe try one in a shop and see for my self though

[ShearMe]

I kind of thought that as well. I will maybe try one in a shop and see for my self though

Yes, always try for yourself! We tell people it doesn't make a difference because it is easy to make yourself think they improve audio, but it is also easy to make yourself believe there is no benefit.

The human brain will automatically make you think louder music sounds better, so without volume matching sources, you can't really know if one amp is better than another. Analog volume wheels are nice, unless the amp is too loud - channel imbalance is worse at lower volumes. Having a separate device without drivers is good for trouble shooting problems... I'm sure there's more pros and cons to consider.