Headphones and AMP

[kol]

Hey all im a bit stuck here, Im currently looking for a new set of cans and amp for under £200 or just a new set of cans for under £200. I want as best audio quality i can get, whilst maintaining some positional audio in games. My current soundcard and headphones is a Xonar DS and a set of Steelseries Siberias, which have started to make odd popping noises when a sound is played. I've read alot of reviews and watched a few videos, and it seems the best cans for audio positioning is the Audio Technica ADH A700's, they also don't need an AMP as far as i can tell. I was also considering the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pros, and an amp such as an E09K or a JDS Objective 2, but im not so sure on which option would be better for my needs, as im not sure how well the DT770s perform in games.

 

So my choices im needing help with are:

 

Xonar DS -> Audio Technica ADH A700

Xonar DS -> FiiO E09K/Objective2 -> Beyerdynamic DT770 Pros

 

OR

 

Xonar DS -> FiiO E09K/Objective2 -> Audio Technica ADH A700

 

Thankles.

[MayflowerElectronics]

If you have problems with popping/static, it's because the card is bad.

 

Here's what I suggest

 

on-board audio ---> objective2 ---> headphones

 

If you get the AD700's, make sure you get the X version.

 

If you want other suggestions for headphones, look at the 558's and the DT 990's. FYI, we have the objective2 cheaper then JDSLabs, and you'll end up paying less in import taxes.

 

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

[kol]

Thanks for the quick response, ive tested the Headphones in another PC and the poppings still there and also tested a pair of earphones in my PC and theres no popping, so its most definetly the headphones. It also gives me a reason to upgrade either way lol. Id like to keep the soundcard and use it, as i feel itll be a waste of money if i just use the onboard. Do the 700x need an AMP?

[MayflowerElectronics]

Thanks for the quick response, ive tested the Headphones in another PC and the poppings still there and also tested a pair of earphones in my PC and theres no popping, so its most definetly the headphones. It also gives me a reason to upgrade either way lol. Id like to keep the soundcard and use it, as i feel itll be a waste of money if i just use the onboard. Do the 700x need an AMP?

 

Not really, but it won't hurt. Especially if you plan on getting better headphones.

[Aphexx]

I game with both the dt770 80 ohm and the ad700. while I don't need to speak for the ad700 for fps games it keeps surprising me how well the dt770 performs when I fps

[ShearMe]

Get the headphones first, then see if the soundcard is enough. Easy-peazy.

[kol]

Not really, but it won't hurt. Especially if you plan on getting better headphones.

ok thanks , also whats the reason for suggesting the 700x over the 700's? is there much diffrence or is it because they dont look horrible lol

[kol]

also i just remembered the Xonar DS lacks dolby technolgies and also doesnt have an AMP, hence why i asked if i needed an amp or not.

[ShearMe]

also i just remembered the Xonar DS lacks dolby technolgies and also doesnt have an AMP, hence why i asked if i needed an amp or not.

 

It does, just not something they want to advertise to you.

[kol]

how good is the amp then compared to amps such as the objective2/e09k?

[ShearMe]

how good is the amp then compared to amps such as the objective2/e09k?

 

Not as good probably, but I wouldn't say you need another amp for most headphones. If you don't hear static, pops, crackles, I wouldn't worry about your source too much.

 

The O2 uses these opamps: http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/7446/NJRC/NJM4556AD.html http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/7241/NJRC/NJM2068D.html for comparison

[kol]

Not as good probably, but I wouldn't say you need another amp for most headphones. If you don't hear static, pops, crackles, I wouldn't worry about your source too much.

Think i have a better idea of what im to get now, thanks =)