Powering DT990

[Tartempion]

I recently bought a pair of DT990 250 Ohm. I am wondering how I should power these headphones. I am currently contemplating  the Essence STX. I have read on forums that people are buying a DAC then an AMP. Would the STX be a proper fit or should I buy a separate AMP and DAC?

 

Thank you

[Turkatron]

Fiio E10 or O2 combo depending on budget.

[CoolBeans]

^ Fiio E10

[Helltech]

I have a Bravo Audio v3 with mine. 

[MayflowerElectronics]

The Fiio probably won't have enough power to run 250 ohm headsets properly.

 

If you have the funds, look into an o2 amp. They will have more than enough power and sound much better than the E10.

 

Use the STX as a DAC feeding into the o2 amp, the DAC won't have that much effect on the sound over what you already have.

 

http://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/standard-objective2-amplifier.html

[Tartempion]

My budget is sub 200$ so the O2 combo is too much. How is the E10 compared to the STX?

[t0wer]

 

Use the STX as a DAC feeding into the o2 amp, the DAC won't have that much effect on the sound over what you already have.

 

 

 

I would just go for the o2 + odac at that point. it has the potential to have a much better power supply as it's not using the typically horrible and noisy power from the computer.

[ShearMe]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: you don't need a powerful amp for higher impedance headphones. Higher impedance requires more voltage, not power.

 

Also, the FiiO E10 is rated for up to 300 ohm headphones, and does well with some that go beyond that. It'd be good enough for most reasonable people. Is the Objective solution better than the FiiO solution? Undoubtedly yes, but it does come with a heaftier price tag to match. 

 

I wouldn't even bother with an internal soundcard unless it had "features" you wanted.

[Tartempion]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: you don't need a powerful amp for higher impedance headphones. Higher impedance requires more voltage, not power.

 

Also, the FiiO E10 is rated for up to 300 ohm headphones, and does well with some that go beyond that. It'd be good enough for most reasonable people. Is the Objective solution better than the FiiO solution? Undoubtedly yes, but it does come with a heaftier price tag to match. 

 

I wouldn't even bother with an internal soundcard unless it had "features" you wanted.

 

The O2 solution is 350$ shipped to my house and it is too much. I'll try the E10 then. 

 

Thank you

[ShearMe]

The O2 solution is 350$ shipped to my house and it is too much. I'll try the E10 then. 

 

Thank you

 

Well, compared to the $1000+ solutions it's aimed at being equivalent to, the O2 + ODAC is a really great value! 

[MayflowerElectronics]

My budget is sub 200$ so the O2 combo is too much. How is the E10 compared to the STX?

 

I linked you to the standard o2 which costs $115 before shipping, you don't need the ODAC.

 

 

The O2 solution is 350$ shipped to my house and it is too much. I'll try the E10 then. 

 

Thank you

 

The o2+ODAC combo costs $250 before shipping, you are looking at the desktop combo.

 

Again, you already have a decent sound card which can act as your DAC feeding into your amplifier (objective2) which will be way below your budget of $200.

[ShearMe]

I linked you to the standard o2 which costs $115 before shipping, you don't need the ODAC.

 

 

 

The o2+ODAC combo costs $250 before shipping, you are looking at the desktop combo.

 

Again, you already have a decent sound card which can act as your DAC feeding into your amplifier (objective2) which will be way below your budget of $200.

 

OP said he was considering the STX. 

[MayflowerElectronics]

Ahh, I miss read I apologize.

[ShearMe]