Do I need a dac/amp?

[Ubest1]

I feel like I'm becoming an audiophile. I recently purchased the sennheiser urbanite headphones. While for some this doesn't scream audiophile, to me it's a beginning. I don't feel like I'm getting the best sound however. Do I need a dac/amp for them? The music files I'm listening to where obtained from the iTunes store. Thanks in advance

[vigorstick]

An amp isn't necessary considering the impedance of the urbanite is just 18 ohms. But a DAC will definitely improve audio quality for any headphone. 

[Crion]

Amp, no.  External DAC, probably depending on what your current audio setup is.  Are you still on integrated?

[creatip123]

Problem is, there's no actual definite ways of knowing, unless you try them for yourself. What works for me isn't a guarantee that it'd work for you, and vice versa.

 

In theory/concept, a different DAC and amp will alter the output sounds, not necessarily better, but altered. By how much, and can your hear it or not, that's the variables. 

 

It's kinda like putting a pinch of salt into a bowl of soup. For trained chefs and people with sensitive tasting buds, it's noticeable. For others, may not be noticeable. 

[ShearMe]

You might simply not dig the sound the urbanites put out. What makes you think you're not getting "the best" sound?

 

It's kinda like putting a pinch of salt into a bowl of soup. For trained chefs and people with sensitive tasting buds, it's noticeable. For others, may not be noticeable. 

 

Aw man, that's such a good way of putting it. 

[BoredErica]

 

Do I need a dac/amp for them? 

No.

 

Amp, no.  External DAC, probably depending on what your current audio setup is.  Are you still on integrated?

No.

[MayflowerElectronics]

Amp, no.  External DAC, probably depending on what your current audio setup is.  Are you still on integrated?

 

That's completely backwards. The amp has a much bigger impact than the DAC. Contrary to what people think/marketing.

[Crion]

That's completely backwards. The amp has a much bigger impact than the DAC. Contrary to what people think/marketing.

 

Could you perhaps enlighten me then since my understanding has been if the headphones have pretty low impedance then an amp is unnecessary. 

[Lays]

Could you perhaps enlighten me then since my understanding has been if the headphones have pretty low impedance then an amp is unnecessary. 

 

 

The impedance is only part of the equation, the more important part is the sensitivity of the headphone. 

 

Take the HE-6 for example, it only has a 50 ohm impedance, but it's sensitivity is 83.5db/mw.  It's probably the most difficult to drive headphone in the world, despite having low impedance.