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Portable amp: E17 or Objective2

sotiris.bos
By sotiris.bos
in Audio
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 Hello guys, audiophile in the making here. I have ordered and I am waiting for my shiny new BD DT770s Pro 250 Ohm version. I am going to use them for listening to music as well as playing games. I got the 250 Ohm model as it was much cheaper than the others and because my motherboard has an amp for up to 600 Ohm headphones. I also want to use them with my iPhone 4s occasionally on some road trips (not me driving ofc) and I need a portable amp for them. Opinions seem to differ as some say go Fiio, others tell me to get the Objective2 amp etc. I want your opinion. I am not that concerned about the size of the amp, I don't need it to fit in my pocket and I am not going to walk around with huge cans on my head. I just want to use them in the car and the train. I am more concerned about the battery life and want an amp to power at least decently my headphones. Budget is around 150$ but cheaper options are welcome. This is the first part.

 

 Second part is if and why I would ever need a DAC. In what situation would the DAC be necessary? Should I get an amp+DAC combo or is it just a waste of money? As I said I only need it for my mobile devices.

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

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DAC's greatly improve audio quality over time compared to onboard. They take a while to break in (the headphones and the DAC), but they are worth it. Get the FiiO E10. It is a DAC+AMP and it will power those with great sound just fine. 

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DAC = Digital to Analogue Converter, are you needing to convert a digital audio signal to analogue ? If not then you don't need one.

 

iPhone only has analogue (headphone) out right ?

Yes the 4s has a normal 3.5mm output. I don't even know what source provides digital audio signal so I probably don't need it. Is that transfered through the optical out ports?

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

Spoiler

  CPU: 2920x  GPU: Sapphire HD 7950 Vapor X  MOBO: X399 Taichi  RAM: 4x 8GB Trident Z RGN 3200/14  CASE: 900D  OS SSD: Samsung 960 Evo 512GB  Storage: 20TB NAS  PSU: Corsair RM1000i  CPU COOLER: NH-U14S TR4 OS: Arch Linux Keyboard: Ducky Shine 3 TKL  Mouse: MX Master 2S Headphones: BD DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm

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Don't worry about getting a dac. The iPhone has a REALLY good dac with low output impedance. All you'll really need is an amp with a 3.5mm input.

What if I get a new smartphone in the future? I really like the HTC One and I want to get its successor but Linus said the audio is not good at all compared to his old iPhone 4. Wouldn't that be a reason to get an amp+dac combo?

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

Spoiler

  CPU: 2920x  GPU: Sapphire HD 7950 Vapor X  MOBO: X399 Taichi  RAM: 4x 8GB Trident Z RGN 3200/14  CASE: 900D  OS SSD: Samsung 960 Evo 512GB  Storage: 20TB NAS  PSU: Corsair RM1000i  CPU COOLER: NH-U14S TR4 OS: Arch Linux Keyboard: Ducky Shine 3 TKL  Mouse: MX Master 2S Headphones: BD DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm

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What if I get a new smartphone in the future? I really like the HTC One and I want to get its successor but Linus said the audio is not good at all compared to his old iPhone 4. Wouldn't that be a reason to get an amp+dac combo?

The problem with the htc one, and most phones, is the output impedance. Not the dac. Buying a good amp will fix that problem.

Portable amps and dacs (good ones) are REALLY expensive. Decent ones start at around $250.

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Soooo E17 or Objective2?

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

Spoiler

  CPU: 2920x  GPU: Sapphire HD 7950 Vapor X  MOBO: X399 Taichi  RAM: 4x 8GB Trident Z RGN 3200/14  CASE: 900D  OS SSD: Samsung 960 Evo 512GB  Storage: 20TB NAS  PSU: Corsair RM1000i  CPU COOLER: NH-U14S TR4 OS: Arch Linux Keyboard: Ducky Shine 3 TKL  Mouse: MX Master 2S Headphones: BD DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm

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What if I get a new smartphone in the future? I really like the HTC One and I want to get its successor but Linus said the audio is not good at all compared to his old iPhone 4. Wouldn't that be a reason to get an amp+dac combo?

Actually, it was  because of his media player. He switched to something else (Apollo or something) and it apparently got a lot better. 

Reviews: JBL J33i   M50s   SRH440   Soundmagic PL50           

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