Best amp/dac for the ATH - M50x?

[TheNightwolf_]

Recently i have purchased the ATH - M50x when they were on sale, and i like them alot. I get the feeling that im not utilizing their full potential. What would be an appropriate amp/dac for under 200 to properly satisfy these cans? 

[c3p0]

Focusrite Saffire X6 or Starlett 2i2, Steinberg UR22, Roland UA-22 I can tell you that the roland is an underdog while the others are more popular

[BoltActionWaffle]

You don't need one. But if you decide to get one, it won't be a significant improvement. I'd say the money. 

 

Focusrite Saffire X6 or Starlett 2i2, Steinberg UR22, Roland UA-22 I can tell you that the roland is an underdog while the others are more popular 

These are Audio interfaces and don't have fantastic Headphones amps honestly. I own the 2i2, and if you're purely using it as a Headphone Amp. I'd look at other options. Just my opinion. 

[Valhallatier]

im just gonna be the straight guy that suggest things rather than asking what setup you're using and then telling you to save your money...

Audioengine D1 http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-D1-24-bit-Digital-to-Analog-Converter/dp/B006IPH5H2

[creatip123]

I don't think the M50x is sensitive enough to benefit much from a separate amp. If it were me, I'd actually sell it, add the $200, and get a $300-ish headphone, bigger margin of difference.

 

If you really want to get one, just get the E10k. Or invest a bit more on O2 (amp only) or O2/ODAC combo

[BoltActionWaffle]

I don't think the M50x is sensitive enough to benefit much from a separate amp. If it were me, I'd actually sell it, add the $200, and get a $300-ish headphone, bigger margin of difference.

 

If you really want to get one, just get the E10k. Or invest a bit more on O2 (amp only) or O2/ODAC combo

This is a good option. +1

[TheNightwolf_]

if i had a 350 budget what would my options look like then? and ill be honest i am perfectly comfortable spending that money. i like these headphones and i plan on keeping them

[BoltActionWaffle]

if i had a 350 budget what would my options look like then? and ill be honest i am perfectly comfortable spending that money. i like these headphones and i plan on keeping them

Here are some options, 

 

Syba DAC - $45 

FiiO E10K - $75

Audioengine D1 - $170

O2 + ODAC -$240

Schitt Magni + Modi - $200 + Cables. 

There are others.

 

But all of these aren't worth the money. Either save the money or buy a "better" pair of headphones with out without an external amp/DAC 

[ShearMe]

if i had a 350 budget what would my options look like then? and ill be honest i am perfectly comfortable spending that money. i like these headphones and i plan on keeping them

Imo, it doesn't matter how high your budget it. Get more headphones first.

[Feveredbike]

if i had a 350 budget what would my options look like then? and ill be honest i am perfectly comfortable spending that money. i like these headphones and i plan on keeping them

I used to own a pair of M50s and before I got rid of them I listened to them for a while on a Magni/Modi stack. I couldn't tell the difference between that and running them straight out of the computer. I hate to be that guy and I know this isn't what you're looking for but use that $350 on a better pair of headphones; that's where you'll find the improvement.

[creatip123]

if i had a 350 budget what would my options look like then? and ill be honest i am perfectly comfortable spending that money. i like these headphones and i plan on keeping them

 

Again, sell it, should get you around $100 (maybe a bit more), so you'd have a total of $450. You could get a HE-400 for $300 + an amp. I use Aune T1 DAC/amp with my HE-400, because I like warmer tone, and the unique tube look, but you could go with any amp/dac combo you like. E10 can drive it pretty well too.

 

Alternatively, keep the M50x, still get the HE-400, and wait a bit more to get an amp. Although I doubt you'd be spending more time on the M50x, once you get hold of the HE-400. Well, maybe for portable uses....

[NannerBeans]

For $350 I would grab a modded Fostex T50RP V3 from Mayflower and a Monoprice dac/amp. One of my favorite headphones of all time. Sold mine already though since I got some TH600s recently. 

[SSL]

if i had a 350 budget what would my options look like then? and ill be honest i am perfectly comfortable spending that money. i like these headphones and i plan on keeping them

 

Then do nothing, and enjoy. Generally we steer people clear of the M50x due to price/performance, but if you already own them it would be silly to spend yet more money when you're already happy with them.

[BoredErica]

Focusrite Saffire X6 or Starlett 2i2, Steinberg UR22, Roland UA-22 I can tell you that the roland is an underdog while the others are more popular

What are you smoking?

None of that is going to help.

 

I used to own a pair of M50s and before I got rid of them I listened to them for a while on a Magni/Modi stack. I couldn't tell the difference between that and running them straight out of the computer. I hate to be that guy and I know this isn't what you're looking for but use that $350 on a better pair of headphones; that's where you'll find the improvement.

No, you better be that guy, you're saving them money and doing them a favor.

[Peter Vaughan Truslow]

Fiio e10k

[Sherako]

Here are some options, 

 

Syba DAC - $45 

FiiO E10K - $75

Audioengine D1 - $170

O2 + ODAC -$240

Schitt Magni + Modi - $200 + Cables. 

There are others.

 

But all of these aren't worth the money. Either save the money or buy a "better" pair of headphones with out without an external amp/DAC 

Schitt stack or 02+ODAC?

[xtroria]

Not worth spending the $200-300 on amp / dac. You could just grab fidelio x2 or Momentum 2.0, pretty sure those blows m50x out of the water w/o needing an amp