AMP and DAC recommendations for Sennheiser HD 558+

[Corruption]

I want an amp/dac that is too good for these because I will be upgrading my cans (not soon) and I don't want to have to replace the amp/DAC as well. Any price under $500 will do as long as it can plug in via USB (as I will be using a laptop [Acer C70 Chromebook, to be exact])

[SSL]

Le Monoprice Desktop Amplifier!

[NannerBeans]

Monoprice amp unless you're going to using it on the go. 

[Corruption]

Le Monoprice Desktop Amplifier!

So is this a DAC and an AMP? Or do i buy just a different one, and if so can you recommend a good DAC to work well with this?

[xtroria]

So is this a DAC and an AMP? Or do i buy just a different one, and if so can you recommend a good DAC to work well with this?

 

Amp dac for $90, if you're going to upgrade to a dynamic headphone, get this. If you're upgrading to a planar magnetic headphone then you want to consider a more poweful amp

[SSL]

Amp dac for $90, if you're going to upgrade to a dynamic headphone, get this. If you're upgrading to a planar magnetic headphone then you want to consider a more poweful amp

 

How much power do you think is required? It takes less than 1W to get LCD-2s the point where they will cause instant, permanent hearing damage.

[xtroria]

How much power do you think is required? It takes less than 1W to get LCD-2s the point where they will cause instant, permanent hearing damage.

 

Ask @creatip123 or @NannerBeans, they're the ortho gurus  . But audeze recommends 1-4W of power @70 ohm, so idk.

 

Schiit lyr 2 is probably the only amp you'll need for most orthos (except HE-6)

[SSL]

But audeze recommends 1-4W of power @70 ohm, so idk.

 

Schiit lyr 2 is probably the only amp you'll need for most orthos (except HE-6)

 

Yeah, the do, don't they. And based on their published specs, that would drive the LCD2s to 137dB.

[xtroria]

Yeah, the do, don't they. And based on their published specs, that would drive the LCD2s to 137dB.

 

Orthos as far as i know doesnt response to more power with louder sound, but a better reproduction on lower frequency. Ofc having no orthos, I have no experience about it.

[SSL]

Orthos as far as i know doesnt response to more power with louder sound, but a better reproduction on lower frequency. Ofc having no orthos, I have no experience about it.

 

Um, no. Then volume control would be impossible.

[xtroria]

Um, no. Then volume control would be impossible.

 

Well, what's your own experience with orthos?

[Oktyabr]

Orthos explained.  TL;DR: They are just another form of transducer.  The laws of physics and electrodynamics still apply.

http://headfonics.com/2011/05/dynamic-vs-orthodynamic-vs-electrostatic-which-is-which/

[SSL]

Well, what's your own experience with orthos?

 

Orthos explained.  TL;DR: They are just another form of transducer.  The laws of physics and electrodynamics still apply.

http://headfonics.com/2011/05/dynamic-vs-orthodynamic-vs-electrostatic-which-is-which/

 

Yep. Also: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/221772-calculating-audeze-lcd-2s-power-requirement-vs-o2/

[Oktyabr]

Yep. Also: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/221772-calculating-audeze-lcd-2s-power-requirement-vs-o2/

Good link.  Thanks.

[creatip123]

Ask @creatip123 or @NannerBeans, they're the ortho gurus  . But audeze recommends 1-4W of power @70 ohm, so idk.

 

Schiit lyr 2 is probably the only amp you'll need for most orthos (except HE-6)

 

My Aune T1's spec stated it got max power of 1000mW = 1W, assuming at highest gain setting, highest volume, probably @32ohms. I never set it to 16dB gain setting, as the 10dB gain is already enough for loudness on HE400.

 

To tell you the truth, even Rosson is a bit puzzled when I showed him the spec on their website that stated LCD series recommends 1-4W of power. The new generation of orthos like LCDs should be efficient enough to be driven by practically any portable devices. 

 

One thing I derived from experience is that orthos need a stable supply of current. A fluctuation in current is more detectable compared to dynamic drivers. I derived it from HE400 vs Q701. HE400 is 93dB/mW, Q701 is 105dB/V => roughly 93dB/mW, so they're practically the same in efficiency. iPad + Fiio E6 can drive Q701 at max volume with no audible problems, while for HE400, it still distorts and clips a bit at max volume.