Advice wanted. Apply within.

[scylax]

So I recently bought a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50's which I have been running through  the audio on my Logitech G110, which I have been really happy with so far, but recently I replaced my keyboard, so need to rethink my solution.

I tried the onboard audio on my ASUS P8Z68 but I think there was a definite drop in quality and the back of my computer is a little inaccessible and inconvenient when I want to unplug them. I'm generally of the opinion that a lot of audio stuff comes down to snobbery so I don't want to pay too much and something available in the UK is preferable, but any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[TheNinjaNextDor]

I would think the quality would be better...

 

You can get a cheap DAC.

[Stefky]

Epiphany Audio make an O2 with ODAC, very reasonably priced:

 

http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/products-page/dacs/ehp-o2d-miniature-desktop-headphone-amplifier-with-usb-dac/

[NannerBeans]

Epiphany Audio make an O2 with ODAC, very reasonably priced:

 

http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/products-page/dacs/ehp-o2d-miniature-desktop-headphone-amplifier-with-usb-dac/

Extremely overkill for M50s...

 

Op, does the G110 have a 3.5mm passthrough or is it from the usb?

[scylax]

It's from the USB... I don't really want to just get some cheap DAC, I like the headphones and I want to get the most out of them.

[NannerBeans]

It's from the USB... I don't really want to just get some cheap DAC, I like the headphones and I want to get the most out of them.

It's not worth it. Get better headphones with the money instead. To be honest, M50 are not that great. 

[EmoRarity]

It's not worth it. Get better headphones with the money instead. To be honest, M50 are not that great. 

Extremely overkill for M50s...

 

Op, does the G110 have a 3.5mm passthrough or is it from the usb?

But the M50 tho, the best since Dre said so 20 something years ago when they were $80. 

[NannerBeans]

But the M50 tho, the best since Dre said so 20 something years ago when they were $80. 

Shhhh Apple paid him off. 

[EmoRarity]

Shhhh Apple paid him off. 

Because who needs chronological order when current events

[Feveredbike]

Yar. This be mine.

[creatip123]

It's from the USB... I don't really want to just get some cheap DAC, I like the headphones and I want to get the most out of them.

 

I'm using the E10 for DAC/amp for my HE-400. It may be kind of 'underkill', but still sounds decent, fun, and enjoyable. I'm pretty sure it's good enough for the M50. Even @ShearMe uses the Syba DAC for his AKG and Senns, and that's a guy who knows his stuff.

[schwat]

So I recently bought a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50's which I have been running through  the audio on my Logitech G110, which I have been really happy with so far, but recently I replaced my keyboard, so need to rethink my solution.

I tried the onboard audio on my ASUS P8Z68 but I think there was a definite drop in quality and the back of my computer is a little inaccessible and inconvenient when I want to unplug them. I'm generally of the opinion that a lot of audio stuff comes down to snobbery so I don't want to pay too much and something available in the UK is preferable, but any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

If inaccessibility is the biggest problem you can get an extension cable for cheap. I have to use one w/ my setup since I can't get to the back of my PC easily.

 

As far as audio quality is concerned most onboard audio these days is actually fairly decent but if you're not happy with yours a cheap DAC may be in order. ATH-M50s are not difficult to drive so you don't really need an amp for them but if you do decide to get a DAC make sure the DAC has an amp built in. Some DACs only output line level audio & thus would require an amp in order to actually drive headphones. 

 

What is your budget you're working with? 

[Guest]

I'm not convinced that anything more than on-board audio is required in this scenario. If the op doesn't want to reach around behind their case, buy an extension cable.

[Stefky]

Extremely overkill for M50s...

 

Op, does the G110 have a 3.5mm passthrough or is it from the usb?

 

How do you mean overkill? I'm not recommending based on power, I am recommending based on quality. It doesn't matter what headphones you have (provided they are above the threshold where they aren't trash) quality components will lead to better audio.

 

 

It's not worth it. Get better headphones with the money instead. To be honest, M50 are not that great. 

 

The M50 are not that great, but for £100 odd quid they are excellent for the money.

 

I have a feeling you are the same guy I already discussed this with on the other thread? I wish you'd stop giving people bad advice...

[Lays]

How do you mean overkill? I'm not recommending based on power, I am recommending based on quality. It doesn't matter what headphones you have (provided they are above the threshold where they aren't trash) quality components will lead to better audio.

 

 

 

The M50 are not that great, but for £100 odd quid they are excellent for the money.

 

I have a feeling you are the same guy I already discussed this with on the other thread? I wish you'd stop giving people bad advice...

 

 

Are you lost?

 

Buying a 200$ solution will not make m50's NOT sound like m50's.

 

He doesn't need anything more than a syba DAC, or a fiio solution for ~50 USD

 

Yes better quality components help, but using a 100,000 dollar amp+dac will not improve 100$ headphones that sound like 100$ headphones.

[Stefky]

Are you lost?

 

Buying a 200$ solution will not make m50's NOT sound like m50's.

 

He doesn't need anything more than a syba DAC, or a fiio solution for ~50 USD

 

Yes better quality components help, but using a 100,000 dollar amp+dac will not improve 100$ headphones that sound like 100$ headphones.

 

A better DAC and better amp will make any headphones sound their best. They won't transcend what they are, no, but they will sound their best. 

 

It's not overkill to get quality components, especially as you don't have to throw them out when you upgrade your headphones. The O2/Odac combo Epiphany are selling now are very reasonably priced - it's not like I am recommending super-high end stuff there.

 

An amp and DAC, if you chose them well, will last you years. Recommending cheap shit which is not going to offer any significant improvement over on-board audio is recommending someone throw their money down the toilet. 

[Lays]

q

 

 

If he buys 100$ headphones, he obviously may be budget oriented, why recommend him an amp/dac solution that costs twice as much as the cans do in the first place?

 

 

 

So I recently bought a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50's which I have been running through  the audio on my Logitech G110, which I have been really happy with so far, but recently I replaced my keyboard, so need to rethink my solution.

I tried the onboard audio on my ASUS P8Z68 but I think there was a definite drop in quality and the back of my computer is a little inaccessible and inconvenient when I want to unplug them. I'm generally of the opinion that a lot of audio stuff comes down to snobbery so I don't want to pay too much and something available in the UK is preferable, but any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Stefky]

If he buys 100$ headphones, he obviously may be budget oriented, why recommend him an amp/dac solution that costs twice as much as the cans do in the first place?

 

 

 

Because for a DAC/Amp combo - the O2/Odac IS BUDGET.

 

Anything less will not offer anything better than his on-board solution.

 

So that is my recommendation - if £167 is out of his budget - get an extension cord and stick with the on-board.

 

No point spending less, but still spending, on something that is not going to offer any noticable improvement.

[Lays]

Because for a DAC/Amp combo - the O2/Odac IS BUDGET.

 

Anything less will not offer anything better than his on-board solution.

 

So that is my recommendation - if £167 is out of his budget - get an extension cord and stick with the on-board.

 

No point spending less, but still spending, on something that is not going to offer any noticable improvement.

 

 

Please go back to head-fi.

[Stefky]

Please go back to head-fi.

???

Why? So you can recommend he pays FiiO to give him equal sound to that he's getting already?

OK I'm going to step out of this thread now. OP can take or leave my advice.