Dt880 Pro's, do i get an external dac/amp?

[tryphaa]

If so, what do i get? Enlighten me, based audiophiles.

[dizmo]

What are you using them with?

[tryphaa]

What are you using them with?

If you mean sound wise, standard motherboard audio.

[TheDigitalRealm]

You get the DT880 Pros and an external DAC/AMP combo. Don't use on board audio or an internal sound card.

[ShearMe]

80 ohm version doesn't need it, 250 ohm version does.

Best cost/performance option is the FiiO E10, but if you have a nice budget there's plenty of amps or DAC/amp combos to choose from. The O2 amp is what gets most recommended around here.

[tryphaa]

80 ohm version doesn't need it, 250 ohm version does.

Best cost/performance option is the FiiO E10, but if you have a nice budget there's plenty of amps or DAC/amp combos to choose from, but the O2 amp is what gets most recommended around here.

I do have the 250 ohm version. Anything else to look at?

[TheDigitalRealm]

I do have the 250 ohm version. Anything else to look at?

What do you mean, are those not suitable? There's always the FiiO E17 DAC combined with the E09K AMP, which would result in a more expensive but higher end solution.

[ShearMe]

I do have the 250 ohm version. Anything else to look at?

Like I said, there's plenty of expensive options. I just don't feel like giving you a complete list nor do I wish to endorse something specific. If you give me a price range I can make a small list.

What do you mean, are those not suitable? There's always the FiiO E17 DAC combined with the E09K AMP, which would result in a more expensive but higher end solution.

E9 has a 10ohm output impedance, however.

[dizmo]

I do have the 250 ohm version. Anything else to look at?

Loads...

Once you enter that world it can be a very unforgiving place

 

What motherboard do you have?

Your onboard sound might be just fine.

[NewKID]

consider the o2 amp/dac combo and schiit modi + magni combos. both are good bang for your buck

[tryphaa]

Loads...

Once you enter that world it can be a very unforgiving place

 

What motherboard do you have?

Your onboard sound might be just fine.

Asus supreme fx. I might look into the o2 that people are mentioning.

[dizmo]

Asus supreme fx. I might look into the o2 that people are mentioning.

Which version? 2012 and on they already have a built in amp.

[tryphaa]

Which version? 2012 and on they already have a built in amp.

Maximus vi gene.

[dizmo]

Maximus vi gene.

Yeah you'd benefit from an amp with that board.

The e10 is a solid choice. If you travel I'd look at the e11 or something similar (provided it can be used while plugged in, I can't recall if it can).

 

If you like to tinker, the e12 DIY let's you change the opamps for a different sound.

[NewKID]

Yeah you'd benefit from an amp with that board.

The e10 is a solid choice. If you travel I'd look at the e11 or something similar (provided it can be used while plugged in, I can't recall if it can).

 

If you like to tinker, the e12 DIY let's you change the opamps for a different sound.

cannot be used while plugged in

[ShearMe]

Yeah you'd benefit from an amp with that board.

The e10 is a solid choice. If you travel I'd look at the e11 or something similar (provided it can be used while plugged in, I can't recall if it can).

If you like to tinker, the e12 DIY let's you change the opamps for a different sound.

Pretty sure my Maximus IV Gene drives my DT 990's loud enough - will double check when I get home.

[Lauen]

Pretty sure my Maximus IV Gene drives my DT 990's loud enough - will double check when I get home.

fairly sure you've tested that before, and come to the conclusion that it gets loud enough. 

 

Maximus vi gene.

Those have a 300 ohm headphone amp, should be just fine. 

[ShearMe]

fairly sure you've tested that before, and come to the conclusion that it gets loud enough. 

 

Those have a 300 ohm headphone amp, should be just fine. 

 

Lol, thanks for reminding me hours after I've been home... 

 

I do think it gets loud enough, right on the edge of painfully loud at max volume. To clarify, I have the V Gene, not the IV Gene I said earlier. None of the Gene boards have the "300ohm headphone amplifier" that some of the bigger boards have. For OP, the VI Gene should drive 250ohm Beyerdynamic headphones loud enough, but if you want your ears to bleed you'll need an amp.

[Lauen]

Lol, thanks for reminding me hours after I've been home... 

 

I do think it gets loud enough, right on the edge of painfully loud at max volume. To clarify, I have the V Gene, not the IV Gene I said earlier. None of the Gene boards have the "300ohm headphone amplifier" that some of the bigger boards have. For OP, the VI Gene should drive 250ohm Beyerdynamic headphones loud enough, but if you want your ears to bleed you'll need an amp.

I was sure they had those amps, but I can't seem to find info on it.. 

 

but OP: If you already have the DT880's, just try the onboard, and see if it gets loud enough for you. If not, look at something like the FiiO E10, or the o2 amp, or maybe even the FiiO E6. 

[Aaranu]

Just because it can drive them loud enough doesnt mean its bringing out their full potential. Get yourself a decent amp/dac mate. Its not about loudness guys. 

[EmoRarity]

Just because it can drive them loud enough doesnt mean its bringing out their full potential. Get yourself a decent amp/dac mate. Its not about loudness guys. 

Actually, thats all a amp does. Nothing more. And the amp on most onboard is good enough to do just that just fine. 

[beefalo]

Just because it can drive them loud enough doesnt mean its bringing out their full potential. Get yourself a decent amp/dac mate. Its not about loudness guys. 

If the amp is changing the SQ then it's a bad/broken amp.  All an amp does is boost volume so if it's loud enough with what you have, don't buy an amp.

[ShearMe]

Just because it can drive them loud enough doesnt mean its bringing out their full potential. 

 

Uh, yes it does.

[Aaranu]

So you guys are saying that because my motherboard can drive headphones up to 600ohms its going to be as good as dedicated amp/dac thats worth more then the entire motherboard. 

[Lauen]

So you guys are saying that because my motherboard can drive headphones up to 600ohms its going to be as good as dedicated amp/dac thats worth more then the entire motherboard. 

I think we came to the conclusion that it did not have a high powered headphone amp. but the DAC is very good, as most new DACs are, and unless there is something wrong with the motherboard, it will sound very good, if it gets loud enough for you. but if I were you, I'd get the headphones and see if you think it's loud enough. if not, then you could look into getting a "better" solution. You might benefit from getting something like an E10, but usually not that much better. and again, if I were you, if it doesn't get loud enough, I'd look into getting an o2 amp. very good for the price, and the standalone o2 amp can be used with anything that has a 3,5 mm output, and you can even put batteries in it for portable use. 

 

EDIT: look away from most of the stuff ^. uhm. I assume this motherboard is the MSI Gaming line then? but yes, most new DAC's are pretty much equally good on an audible level. the only problem is that the headphone amp probably has a high output impedance, which might screw around with the actual sound you get. 

Edited February 6, 2014 by Lauen