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I agree that even a cheap used DAC will make a difference that you will not believe. I mean night and day from any motherboard sound you will find. You can buy a Fiio E17 used for $60 to $80 from ebay or head fi either one. You will not be sorry!
ZMA4
6
May 5, 2015
lifemovingforwardHi! I'm gonna be using these with my late 2013 Retina display MacBook Pro 13 inch. Do you think I would be able to hear the difference with a dac/amp? These headphones are my first real step into the audiophile world (I've never spent more than $35 on headphones before) and I wanna explore all possibilities. Reddit has advised against getting an amp/dac for these. One of them told me that I won't hear much difference so I kinda threw the idea of getting a dac/amp away :/
So, the question is, should I get one?
JakiChan
31
May 5, 2015
ZMA4Can you link the thread where Reddit advised that? I've been using the ATH-M50s without a DAC/AMP on my MacBook Pro at work, but I've been pondering getting one. Dunno if I'd hear the difference though.
vacumeman
1
May 5, 2015
JakiChanNot sure if this is what you are looking for. I have a m50x, and people advised that I won't be able to hear the difference with or without and dac/amp:
https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/34c2hc/down_the_rabbit_hole_we_go_got_my_first_pair_of/
ZMA4
6
May 5, 2015
JakiChanIt was this thread http://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/34m2a5/daily_headphone_purchase_advice_thread/
I have the same username on reddit so just look for my comment.
JakiChan
31
May 5, 2015
ZMA4In that thread they were saying you don't need an amp, which is true. They were talking power output, not quality. Also, the question of if you should use an external DAC wasn't addressed. If you want a DAC, then you need an amplifier (to drive the output from the DAC).
JakiChan
31
May 5, 2015
vacumemanIt's opinion. I'm probably gonna try a Magni/Modi stack to see what happens. You can always return it...
ZMA4
6
May 5, 2015
JakiChanI'm gonna be asking a lot of noobie questions, so bear with me. My question right now is: will an external amp+dac improve audio quality at all, or am I gonna be wasting my money? If the answer is 'yes', I was thinking about getting the FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier since someone on reddit recommended it to me :/
weskarl
5
May 5, 2015
ZMA4Depending on your sound card/source, it might improve audio quality. I recommend waiting for your cans to come in, plugging them into your computer/iPod/phone/TV/radio/DVD player/PS1 (I think they had a headphone out) and seeing what it sounds like to you. If you feel parts of the playback is muddled/distorted/not to your liking, and you're playing lossess/320 kbps mp3 (or gasp -- V0)/CD's/vinyl/laserdisks/DVDs, then you could benefit from an a DAC/Amp. I would give it a few weeks.
You might not be able to tell the difference between the soundcard and DAC -- thats the beauty of it. And with vibrant online communities (head-fi, reddit, ebay etc) it's easier than ever to try gear out and turn it around and flip if its not to your liking.
Etaoin_Pig
16
May 5, 2015
ZMA4Yes, a DAC/amp combo will improve your output considerably, especially if you are coming from an 'iDevice' or stock pc sound card. An amp doesn't specifically improve sound *signal* quality: whether or not you need one is mostly dependent on your headphones--specifically their impedance, measured in ohms. These headphones are 32 ohms impedance, so they don't *need* an amp. A pair of 600 ohm aerodynamics can't be driven without one. (Ohms are also abbreviated with an omega: Ω.) A DAC, on the other hand, *is* about improving the quality of your sound. While digital signal quality is only limited in quality by the source material and how it has been processed, headphones are driven on an analogue signal. Most media players and pcs are not especially good at converting between digital and analogue. This is where a DAC is useful, and why you should consider getting one. Of course, a DAC will be more or less useful in proportion to the quality of your audio. If you're not familiar with lossless audio yet, you should look into it, and learn about formats like FLAC. Getting back to the amp/DAC combo, though, once you have a DAC, an amp is useful for handling volume adjustments (which should be done 'after' signal processing'). It also has secondary benefits that make it pretty much a 'given' pairing. Obviously, driving higher impedance headphones also becomes possible. (Keep in mind that some amps can color your music--try to find out *how* before buying. There are also digital, hybrid, and tube amps. Most under ~$200 are digital, although Bravo makes some inexpensive hybrids. The differences are interesting, but may not be very relevant to you a.t.m.) The FiiO E10K is a great combo option at a reasonable price. There are also a couple good online forums you should look at, but I'm not sure if I can mention my recommendations here.
EDIT: I just saw weskarl's post. It never hurts to try with/without, and I certainly support saving where you can. If you think you'll be getting more into high-end audio in the future, though, a DAC is a fair investment.
ZMA4
6
May 6, 2015
Etaoin_PigWow. Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of this :) I think I'm gonna try them out for a week or so. I am gonna buy an amp+dac everntually just to try it out though. Probably gonna get the FiiO E10K, and if I don't like it, I can return it :D Or maybe a Schiit combo... We'll see. Thanks again :)
ZMA4
6
May 6, 2015
weskarlThank you for taking the time to answer my redundant questions :) Very excited to explore the Audiophile world!
ShawnP.Watson
155
May 6, 2015
JakiChanYou might try the LH Labs Geekout 1000 DAC/AMP. I used it with the ATH-M50's on my laptop. Made a significant difference!
lifemovingforward
8
May 12, 2015
ZMA4Well I guess I would say that an answer to your question do you need a DAC/Amp to use these headphones I have to answer no! They can be driven by your on board sound card and will work. However to get out of them the true sound they where meant to deliver that your sound card can not do. The bass will be timid and light the highs will be subdued and with out definition. The sound stage will have no separation to speak of. I suggested a DAC/AMP the Geek out is a good choice but their are many. You will wonder why you had not done this earlier. You will hear a separation that was not their before. The base will be deeper and include sub base you did not hear before. The treble will be high with out being hurting your ears. the sound stag will be much wider and spacious then you have heard before. The DAC will make these headphones worth the $119 dollars you payed for them. BUY A DAC/AMP you will not be sorry. On www.head-fi.org you can buy used equipment pick up a Geek Out used and then when you get the headphones you will thank me.
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