advice Should I buy AMP or something like that

[Vektor656]

I have the Sennheiser 560s, and I was wondering if there is any benefit to buying something like an AMP. I have no clue what it does or how it would help me with audio. Please educate me on how this works. Thank you.

[ToboRobot]

I have the same pair of headphones and don't really notice a difference between connecting them via an Elgato Wave Mic or stereo amplifier with a headphone jack.

[TetraSky]

In a few words without getting too complicated with resistivity, ohms and stuff... an AMP basically boost your audio. So if you feel like your current headphones sounds fine to you and are not too quiet, you don't need an AMP.

[Cocococo]

You don't need one unless you're running them off like, a 90's MP3 player. Onboard audio in PC's is more than good enough for a HD560S

[saintlouisbagels]

The placebo of buying and using an external headphone amplifier could make you believe that the audio is drastically improved 

But no. As long as you're not using some noisy laptop headphone output as your audio source, buying an amplifier or DAC will not improve your experience.

 

Soundcards are DAC + amplifiers which means a digital signal has been converted to analog, and the amplifier brings the signal to a listenable level.

Anything you use with a headphone output means it has gone through a soundcard.

 

edit1: it's also possible that you are unhappy with the inherent sound signature of the Sennheiser HD560S.

Edited September 20 by saintlouisbagels
edit1

[191x7]

Someone who can get a 560S deserves to use them with a balanced cable over a 2.5 or 4.4 connection on something like a dongle DAC like the Akliam PD4, Moondrop Dawn, Truthear Shio, Fiio KA3, etc.

[Psittac]

You don't need an amp with those, typical on-board audio is plenty fine these days esp with something as sensitive as the 560s

 

I did a budget dac/amp round up and the conclusion was that unless you are going to spend $100usd+ there is no benefit and at times it can be a detriment.

 

5 hours ago, TetraSky said:

In a few words without getting too complicated with resistivity, ohms and stuff... an AMP basically boost your audio. So if you feel like your current headphones sounds fine to you and are not too quiet, you don't need an AMP.

IMO using total volume is a flawed rule because certain frequencies will start to fade long before overall volume does.

 

5 hours ago, ToboRobot said:

I have the same pair of headphones and don't really notice a difference between connecting them via an Elgato Wave Mic or stereo amplifier with a headphone jack.

Typically the elgato wave mic is severely underpowered and I don't really even know why they include the headphone jack.  Also the headphone output on a stereo is typically just an afterthought.  I don't know the science behind it but I was told years before getting into headphones that this was the case.  Think it's something to do with clarity and noisefloor.  I've never bothered to try it.

 

5 hours ago, Cocococo said:

You don't need one unless you're running them off like, a 90's MP3 player. Onboard audio in PC's is more than good enough for a HD560S

Something like a schiit fulla would offer a better overall experience, cleaner and clearer sound in my experience.  But I agree that for most people onboard is completely sufficient.  The Fiio products would probably be a great option on something this sensitive.

 

4 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

The placebo of buying and using an external headphone amplifier could make you believe that the audio is drastically improved 

But no. As long as you're not using some noisy laptop headphone output as your audio source, buying an amplifier or DAC will not improve your experience.

 

Soundcards are DAC + amplifiers which means a digital signal has been converted to analog, and the amplifier brings the signal to a listenable level.

Anything you use with a headphone output means it has gone through a soundcard.

 

edit1: it's also possible that you are unhappy with the inherent sound signature of the Sennheiser HD560S.

To a certain point yes, there is no benefit over onboard.  However once you reach that point there are indeed gains to be had, whether it's worth it or not is up for debate.

[ToboRobot]

13 minutes ago, Psittac said:

 

Typically the elgato wave mic is severely underpowered and I don't really even know why they include the headphone jack.  Also the headphone output on a stereo is typically just an afterthought.  I don't know the science behind it but I was told years before getting into headphones that this was the case.  Think it's something to do with clarity and noisefloor.  I've never bothered to try it.

 

 

its a older but nice bryston amp.  just my personal experience.