dac for ath m50xbl

[stefannxd]

Do I need to buy a dac for my future ath m50xbl I use an old Acer PC and I don't know if my audio source is sufficient

Please some advice

[Sexy Vanilla Freshness]

What country do you live in and how much money do you have for this?

 

It isn't going to be an expensive fix, if you have ancient shoddy onboard it could be worth doing though.

[helping]

no.

if you find that you actually do need something, for some reason, then an e10 or a Syba are all I would bother with.

[stefannxd]

What country do you live in and how much money do you have for this?

 

It isn't going to be an expensive fix, if you have ancient shoddy onboard it could be worth doing though.

I live in Holland and I would like to spend under €100

[Sexy Vanilla Freshness]

I live in Holland and I would like to spend under €100

 

The Fiio E10K will be in EU soon, I'd grab one of those.

 

If you could find out what audio device is on your motherboard would help.

[stefannxd]

The Fiio E10K will be in EU soon, I'd grab one of those.

 

If you could find out what audio device is on your motherboard would help.

my pc is a ACER ASPIRE M ASM5800 more i couldnt find

[EmoRarity]

You'll be fine, though the M40x is a better value in most cases. 

[IdortMasterRace]

Do I need to buy a dac for my future ath m50xbl I use an old Acer PC and I don't know if my audio source is sufficient

Please some advice

 

No, you do not need a DAC. They don't need to be pushed unlike higher tier headphones.

[BoredErica]

No, you do not need a DAC. They don't need to be pushed unlike higher tier headphones.

How does a dac push a headphone?

[IdortMasterRace]

How does a dac push a headphone?

 

Higher end headphones (normally around $300-400 upwards) require a bit more power to be pushed properly, to get the proper best sound/volume out of them.

[BoredErica]

Higher end headphones (normally around $300-400 upwards) require a bit more power to be pushed properly, to get the proper best sound/volume out of them.

Dacs don't deliver power to the headphone. You're thinking of the amp. And that's not necessarily true, it depends on the headphone. The HD800s, for example, have only slightly lower sensitivity than the ATH M50x. We have to look at a case by case basis.

[IdortMasterRace]

Dacs don't deliver power to the headphone. You're thinking of the amp. And that's not necessarily true, it depends on the headphone. The HD800s, for example, have only slightly lower sensitivity than the ATH M50x.

 

DACs can deliver power to headphones, as can Amps.

 

Of course it depends on the headphones, that's what I said. ATH-M50s don't need one, for example.

[BoredErica]

DACs can deliver power to headphones, as can Amps.

 

Of course it depends on the headphones, that's what I said. ATH-M50s don't need one, for example.

1. No they don't, and definitely not at a level that matters practically.

2. Yes, you said it depends on the headphones: Whether they are high end or not, which is exactly what I just said isn't necessarily the case. We need to look at sensitivity, and it makes much more sense to talk about that instead of going by a random price point you've set.

No, you do not need a DAC. They don't need to be pushed unlike higher tier headphones.

Higher end headphones (normally around $300-400 upwards) require a bit more power to be pushed properly, to get the proper best sound/volume out of them.

[IdortMasterRace]

1. No they don't, and definitely not at a level that matters practically.

2. Yes, you said it depends on the headphones: Whether they are high end or not, which is exactly what I just said isn't necessarily the case. We need to look at sensitivity, and it makes much more sense to talk about that instead of going by a random price point you've set.

 

Yes, DACs do give more power to headphones.

 

Yes, I said 'normally'. Not always, but generally, decent cans above that price require an amp or DAC.

[BoredErica]

Yes, DACs do give more power to headphones.

 

Yes, I said 'normally'. Not always, but generally, decent cans above that price require an amp or DAC.

1. Lol.

2. You said:

Higher end headphones (normally around $300-400 upwards)

Which means: Higher end headphones (which are normally $300 and up), meaning you were specifying what a high end headphone would cost. You were not saying that your entire rule might or might not apply to some headphones which may or may not cost more than $300.

[IdortMasterRace]

1. Lol.

 

It's alright, I forgive you.

 

2. You said:

Which means: Higher end headphones (which are normally $300 and up), meaning you were specifying what a high end headphone would cost. You were not saying that your entire rule might or might not apply to some headphones which may or may not cost more than $300.

 

I meant: generally, if you are buying something $300-400 or upwards (and it's actually a good pair of cans), it's going to require a DAC or an amp.

 

For example:

 

 

It wasn't a 100% set in stone golden rule, it was just a general tip. No need to take it so seriously.

[BoredErica]

YES. Posting a picture that says whether an amp is required or not totally means it's valid. It's valid because you say so.

 

You know what? I don't even care about what you have to say anymore. Have fun trying to justify what you said with some fancy semantic gymnastics because you'll never admit you were wrong. Maybe the other sub-regulars will want to take a stab at you... if they'll bother. Enuf' derails for now.

[IdortMasterRace]

YES. Posting a picture that says whether an amp is required or not totally means it's valid. It's valid because you say so.

 

It's valid because it used plenty of research on Head-Fi and other headphone specialist forums to find out the specified information, including personal experience the creator had with the cans, yes. Or, you could do your own research and find that the headphones mentioned in that image that have a yellow or red 'AMP' sign next to them do in fact require a DAC or amp. It'd take 30 seconds, but of course you're not prepared to do that because you know what the result would be.

 

Have fun trying to justify what you said with some fancy semantic gymnastics

 

It's funny because you were the one randomly attacking semantics in the first place and completely derailing the topic, meanwhile I was helping OP by correctly stating he wouldn't need a DAC or amp.

 

 I don't even care about what you have to say anymore

 

I see you have no response. Well, thanks for admitting you were wrong.

[BoredErica]

HAHAHAHAHA

 

You're fucking rich, you know what?

 

You did some extensive research on Headfi, didja? You're the first so far to act like that's a good thing.

 

Nothing to destress my poor brain like some humor!

[creatip123]

No, you do not need a DAC. They don't need to be pushed unlike higher tier headphones.

 

In both logical and technical definitions, any electrical device needs to be 'pushed', in the meaning it must be given both electrical voltage and current to make it work. How far/how big the push needed, now that's what differ between various devices.

 

In the context of speaker drivers, even a tiny IEM needs to be 'pushed', otherwise it won't give any sounds. It's just it needs a tiny push, compared to bigger drivers. Yes, ATH M50x shouldn't require a separate DAC or amp or both, to function properly. Not because it doesn't need to be pushed, but because most existing mobo's soundcards already got enough juice in its built-in amp to push the M50.

 

DACs can deliver power to headphones, as can Amps.

 

Of course it depends on the headphones, that's what I said. ATH-M50s don't need one, for example.

 

DACs convert digital to analog signal. Relying on the signals' original electrical strength won't push any headphones or IEMs anywhere near normal listening levels. Usually in 1 'package' of a DAC circuit, there is an op-amp to add some voltage to the signal, and prep it ready to be processed further by different amps. It's usually called 'line level' or just 'line'. While it may (most likely not) have enough voltage to push a very sensitive driver, it shouldn't got enough current to push a headphone properly. 

 

You're actually confusing a DAC with a DAC/amp combo, i.e. the E10k. It's a DAC/amp combo, meaning, although they appear as 1 device, it's actually 2 devices inside, packaged into 1 device, a DAC and a headphone amp. You also can double check with that humongous picture/table of headphones you posted. It lists amps, not DACs. The only time the word DAC was mentioned, was in the links of further reading. Reading some more on nwavguy's articles is very recommended. That guy is a pure genius engineer, electrician, and down to earth. 

 

It's valid because it used plenty of research on Head-Fi and other headphone specialist forums to find out the specified information, including personal experience the creator had with the cans, yes. Or, you could do your own research and find that the headphones mentioned in that image that have a yellow or red 'AMP' sign next to them do in fact require a DAC or amp. It'd take 30 seconds, but of course you're not prepared to do that because you know what the result would be.

 

 

The underline sentence above implies that headphones with a green 'AMP' sign do not require a DAC or amp. I'd be very surprised if any headphones in the world can give a proper sound without any amp. If it were 'do not require an additional/external amp', now that'd make sense much much more.

 

You don't need a DAC if you're using analog sources, like Vinyls, Cassette players, etc. You must use a DAC if you're going to convert digital signals to analog signals, as in playing digital audio files. 

 

Any smartphones, onboards, sound cards, DAPs (Digital Audio Players), etc, already got their own DAC/amp sets built-in. So, saying a headphone don't need any DAC/amp is technically wrong, because again, without an amp, headphones can't function properly, and without a DAC, you can't convert digital audio signals into analog audio signals.

 

You can do as many checks and re-checks as you'd like. Hell, you can even quote me into a post in head-fi, asking the opinions of the fine gentlemen there. After that you'd only have 2 choices:

 

1. Admit that your understanding is wrong, or maybe not wrong, just came out into wrong wordings

2. Keep insisting that you got the most flawless understanding, and keep on rambling on how you're right, and everybody else (who don't agree with you) are wrong. It makes no difference to us. Like @dark_wizzie said above, at most, your posts will keep us entertained for a short moment. Good for spontaneous smiles and laughs.

[IdortMasterRace]

In both logical and technical definitions, any electrical device needs to be 'pushed', in the meaning it must be given both electrical voltage and current to make it work. How far/how big the push needed, now that's what differ between various devices.

 

The underline sentence above implies that headphones with a green 'AMP' sign do not require a DAC or amp. I'd be very surprised if any headphones in the world can give a proper sound without any amp. If it were 'do not require an additional/external amp', now that'd make sense much much more.

 

You don't need a DAC if you're using analog sources, like Vinyls, Cassette players, etc. You must use a DAC if you're going to convert digital signals to analog signals, as in playing digital audio files.

 

Any smartphones, onboards, sound cards, DAPs (Digital Audio Players), etc, already got their own DAC/amp sets built-in. So, saying a headphone don't need any DAC/amp is technically wrong, because again, without an amp, headphones can't function properly, and without a DAC, you can't convert digital audio signals into analog audio signals.

 

Everytime I mentioned an amp or DAC, of course I meant external. I thought that was obvious. OP also meant an external DAC/amp, why would I suddenly be talking about something different? If you thought I meant anything other than external amps or DACs, that's your own fault. The image also doesn't say 'external', because that is obvious, it shouldn't need explaining.

 

You're actually confusing a DAC with a DAC/amp combo, i.e. the E10k. It's a DAC/amp combo, meaning, although they appear as 1 device, it's actually 2 devices inside, packaged into 1 device, a DAC and a headphone amp. You also can double check with that humongous picture/table of headphones you posted. It lists amps, not DACs. The only time the word DAC was mentioned, was in the links of further reading. Reading some more on nwavguy's articles is very recommended. That guy is a pure genius engineer, electrician, and down to earth.

 

I wasn't confusing anything. DAC/amp combos are often just called DACs. OP himself specifically said DAC. It was everyone else that started attacking the semantics, when everyone knew exactly what I meant.

 

HAHAHAHAHA

 

You're fucking rich, you know what?

 

You did some extensive research on Headfi, didja? You're the first so far to act like that's a good thing.

 

Nothing to destress my poor brain like some humor!

 

Stop posting, your embarrassing yourself. Though the extra sized font especially added to the comedy of your post, despite the original cringe.

 

Seriously, I love how you managed to derail the thread so hard literally from just the words: "No, you do not need a DAC. They don't need to be pushed unlike higher tier headphones." - either way, hope you got the help you needed OP. Enjoy the headphones, they are great cans.

[Valhallatier]

HAHAHAHAHA

 

You're fucking rich, you know what?

 

You did some extensive research on Headfi, didja? You're the first so far to act like that's a good thing.

 

Nothing to destress my poor brain like some humor!

calm your jimmies, when he said head-fi, that's when you stop giving a fuck.

[IdortMasterRace]

calm your jimmies, when he said head-fi, that's when you stop giving a fuck.

 

Let me guess, you went on there to ask how your epic MLG gaming headset was, and they told you to fuck off? I can understand why you'd be salty!

 

In actual fact, Head-Fi is a very decent site as long as you watch out for placebophiles. It has its fair share of users that talk bullshit, but otherwise it's a very friendly and useful site. Also, the people that help you will likely have actually used the headphones/equipment being discussed, instead of pretending. They also have very decent reviews from people who actually know their shit, not just spouting buzzwords: http://www.head-fi.org/t/6149/my-sony-mdr-v6-review-extremely-long for example. And finally, they have great sale information, picked up many good deals from there. Just like the Hot Deals section here.

 

But carry on with your irrational hate.

[helping]

DACs can deliver power to headphones, as can Amps.

 

Of course it depends on the headphones, that's what I said. ATH-M50s don't need one, for example.

Yes, DACs do give more power to headphones.

 

Yes, I said 'normally'. Not always, but generally, decent cans above that price require an amp or DAC.

...

 

can you go ahead and elaborate on the acronym DAC and then define that for me?

 

And no, price does not determine if an amp or DAC is required until you're in the in the esoteric price ranges, even then you might not even need a DAC.

 

Higher end headphones do not require more power, high cost =/= power hungry 

and also please refrain from posting giant images to recommend headphones.

[Valhallatier]

Let me guess, you went on there to ask how your epic MLG gaming headset was, and they told you to fuck off? I can understand why you'd be salty!

 

In actual fact, Head-Fi is a very decent site as long as you watch out for placebophiles. It has its fair share of users that talk bullshit, but otherwise it's a very friendly and useful site. Also, the people that help you will likely have actually used the headphones/equipment being discussed, instead of pretending. They also have very decent reviews from people who actually know their shit, not just spouting buzzwords: http://www.head-fi.org/t/6149/my-sony-mdr-v6-review-extremely-long for example. And finally, they have great sale information, picked up many good deals from there. Just like the Hot Deals section here.

 

But carry on with your irrational hate.

but i wasn't even talking to you...

maybe now i am

... but i wont bother...