Better audio in my pocket

[Slim Shady]

so i just got the sennheiser hd439 and i am surprisingly happy with the sound quality however when listening  on my ipod i do get quite a lot of distortion at 80-100% volume.

i have tested these on my 2014 macbook air and it gives me the volume i want with out the distortion and ive done the same test with an av receiver so i have narrowed the issue down to my ipod.

 

at the end of the day i just want better quality and louder sound that is pocketable.

im not sure if i should get a dac and amp or just an amp and not sure if a dac will make that much of a difference with these headphones.

my budget is around $100.

 

been looking at products form fiio and smsl

[creatip123]

so i just got the sennheiser hd439 and i am surprisingly happy with the sound quality however when listening  on my ipod i do get quite a lot of distortion at 80-100% volume.

i have tested these on my 2014 macbook air and it gives me the volume i want with out the distortion and ive done the same test with an av receiver so i have narrowed the issue down to my ipod.

 

at the end of the day i just want better quality and louder sound that is pocketable.

im not sure if i should get a dac and amp or just an amp and not sure if a dac will make that much of a difference with these headphones.

my budget is around $100.

 

been looking at products form fiio and smsl

 

Fiio X series should be good enough.

[h3ll0]

I would get the fiio X1 is should be in stores in the next week or so. It has audiophile components and is only $100. The only downside is you need a micro sd card.

[Slim Shady]

is the audio quality any good compared to a dedicated amp or dac solution.

[creatip123]

is the audio quality any good compared to a dedicated amp or dac solution.

 

You said you want something that is:

 

at the end of the day i just want better quality and louder sound that is pocketable.

 

 

Mobile dac/amp combo (like Fiio E07k, for example) still needs a source to play, so you'll end up using 2 devices, like this:

 

 

But if you don't mind that, then just get the E07k instead.

[Slim Shady]

You said you want something that is:

 

 

Mobile dac/amp combo (like Fiio E07k, for example) still needs a source to play, so you'll end up using 2 devices, like this:

 

 

But if you don't mind that, then just get the E07k instead.

ok thanks