Massdrop x AKG K7XX Audiophile Headphones Discussions | Drop

May 26, 2015

Would I require a DAC+Amp to power these for PC gaming purposes?

May 26, 2015

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May 26, 2015

Im420manwhich soundcard you use? or onboard sound? if use any gaming motherboard like "Asus Maximus VI or VII, you should be fine.

May 26, 2015

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May 26, 2015

SlaanderNo soundcard currently, nor do I want one. I do have a gaming MB that was pretty expensive / feature rich back in the 2nd gen Core i7 days.

May 26, 2015

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May 27, 2015

Im420manwell, any onboard soundcard will able to give you sound, but onboard sound the manufacturer use the cheapest dac converter they can buy, so you don't hear good sound out of it.
you will need good soundcard or dac/amp, I meant good headphone with bad sound source, that just going to waste it. I have maximus VII Hero, the onboard Supremefx has amp, but I am using audioengine D1 for headphones, D1 makes it night and day, even d1 not really an amp, it just dac/phone amp combo, but it drive my Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohm fine, and I just waiting on this K7XX come to try on for open sound.
There is one dac/amp at the drop right now https://www.massdrop.com/buy/xduoo-ta-01-dac-amp

May 27, 2015

May 27, 2015

SlaanderThanks, I saw that DAC/amp but may splurge for a DIY kit on Mayflower. I like soldering and projects.

May 27, 2015

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May 27, 2015

Im420mano2 is good amp, but the odac is add on, that will be double the price on the xduoo ta-01 also xduoo amp has XMOS usb controller doing 24bit/192KHz and Dual Wolfson WM8740 mono DAC, can check on this review for some idea. http://www.headdesk.me/index.php?title=XDuoo_TA-01_%2B_Mullard_12AU7
also good add on to the headphone

to make it gaming headsets for games.
http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_z
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00KAST95Y/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

May 27, 2015

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AvroArrow

May 27, 2015

SlaanderThose are the wrong adapters/cables since they are full-size XLR. The KXX and K7-- headphones use mini-XLR.

May 27, 2015

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May 27, 2015

SlaanderThanks for the awesome reply, lots of good information to digest. I was initially thinking of a Modmic 4.0 as the add on mic to eliminate the XLR to 3.5 adapter.
As for the Tube amp / Dac on MD, it looks nice but I was looking for something semi-portable that I would be able to take to work. It's something I'll still consider if it gets enough joins to unlock the minimum price.
Thanks again, Slaander, for all your suggestions + help!!!

May 27, 2015

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May 27, 2015

AvroArrowthanks, I did type mini xlr but some how it link to there, I will fix it.

May 27, 2015

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May 28, 2015

Im420manthe xlr adapter is full size, I hope you didn't get it yet, the search in amazon give me wrong item =\

May 28, 2015

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May 28, 2015

SlaanderI hadn't. I think I'm going with a Modmic 4.0 Unidirectional with inline mute. I just have to figure a way to sneak the purchase past my wife :)

May 28, 2015

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May 29, 2015

Im420manfriend, like you said you want to make your own amp, I found this http://fredsamplifiers.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=51 and http://fredsamplifiers.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=26&zenid=38a6f5ece003fd89f80d21d7acba49d8 all you need is looking for a good tube, only down side you will be still missing DAC and you need to get either good soundcard or dac like audioengine D1,

May 29, 2015

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May 29, 2015

SlaanderHey bud, thanks again for the research. I saw that amp the other day too. However, I think that I'm starting to lean towards an amp + DAC combo and one that is somewhat portable. Current contenders are the ODAC + O2 or the Creative SoundBlaster E5. I'm going to be constantly taking these to work for music listening and back home for gaming / movies / etc.

May 29, 2015

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wowsers

May 29, 2015

Im420manhave you heard about the SMSL M2? That's a nice amp/dac combo that's slightly smaller than the ODAC itself but can still power a pair of headphones no problem(sub 100 Ohm'ish I think).

May 29, 2015

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Jany

May 29, 2015

wowsersSomeone did use that dac-amp with 300ohms beyerdynamic, they was playing rly loud.

May 29, 2015

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May 29, 2015

wowsersNo, but I have now. Unfortunately the more I look at the Creative SB E5 the more I think it will suit my needs as "mainly a gamer with an interest in listening to music on the go or at work" (mainly rap, emphasis on quality lows).
This SMSL M2 is definitely worth the look at it's price point though.

May 29, 2015

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wowsers

May 29, 2015

Im420manI didn't even know sound blaster was still around, last I knew of them they produced audio cards with gameports, but yeah, that's probably the most robust dac/amp for that price. The FIIO E10K is also a more affordable option than the E5 (75'ish USD), it also has a bass-boost for extra low-end if you need. So that's an alternative if you are willing to sacrifice some audio in/out ports, but if your gut tells you E5 go for it.
[edit]: you should also note that the FIIO uses a 96kHz dac while the E5 uses a full 196kHz, but I don't think people with the most analytical ears could hear a difference on 196/96kHz highs. both are 24bit still

May 29, 2015

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May 29, 2015

wowsersBeing a Gamer, I knew they were still around, but just realized they released the E-Series line up due to Massdrop having a new drop on one of their products (X7).
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/creative-sound-blaster-x7-amp-dac-combo

May 29, 2015

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wowsers

May 29, 2015

Im420mansounds reasonable, it does make more sense to me to create a power amp with a small form-factor and still have an integrated high quality dac (which a lot of 'hifi' amps don't have).

May 29, 2015

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May 31, 2015

Im420manFWIW I have not one but two ODAC+O2 amps, both soldered myself, and they have worked great. Reason I have two is I had one at home and liked it so much I made a second for work (currently unemployed which is why I got a picture of both of them). Have powered cheap little earbuds to DT 880 300ohm and have only even bothered hitting the gain switch on the 300ohm but usually don't bother.
The top one was from a group buy somewhere. Bottom one I ordered from headnhifi, like the case much butter on that one

(edit)btw I typically wear the DT 880 300ohm at home and DT 770 Pro 80ohm at work since even at modest volumes blocks out all the other noise from the office :)

May 31, 2015

May 31, 2015

vrillusionsI may pick one up for the hell of it. I need a new project (haven't soldered anything in a month or so). Thanks for the recommendation!

May 31, 2015

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Jun 1, 2015

Im420manYeah I ended up buying a new soldering iron since I'm like I've done enough things I could spend a little more money for a good one and have yet to actually do anything :)

Jun 1, 2015

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Jun 1, 2015

vrillusionsI'll probably end up getting an ODAC + O2 kit for the fun of it and end up giving it to my wife. Hell it may even be a good project to teach the boys how to solder. I'm going with a Sound Blaster E5. Mainly for the mic input and portability.

Jun 1, 2015

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Tenryuu

240

Jun 1, 2015

vrillusionsYou could make and sell them, fully assembled are either too expensive now or not in stock.

Jun 1, 2015

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Jun 1, 2015

Im420manThat was actually the first reason I got them. Has been the biggest solder project I've done and was only the second project I did. First was one of the CMOY altoid tin amps I still have laying around here somewhere. It's a fairly easy project and lots of instructions on how to make it. Only issue I ran in to was when I soldered the wire from the ODAC to input I didn't trim the wire close enough and it sctratched the O2. Fortunately all it sctratched was a ground rail so one of the channels would just stop working intermittently. Retrim it and a piece of electrical tape and good as new :) But it's a good project since it covers all the standard electrical components like reading resistor values, ensure capacitors are oriented right, a few board mounted switches and ports, etc. Another good project is the adafruit ice tube clock kit although one of the MOSFETs is realllly sensitive to static electricity. I've used them a few times (the O2 uses them for example) but the one from the clock kit was the only time it was defective even with taking proper precautions.
The amp I used before was an astro mixamp. Worked great for games since you had two audio inputs and could crossfade between the two. Idea being one input was for the game and other input was for mumble, vent, teamspeak, etc but you could also have an mp3 player plugged in to it. Also had a mic in although I use a USB mic. Sound quality was allright until I made the first O2 (even before the ODAC was released) and it sounded so much better. Likewise I'm sure the E5 would blow the pants off the mixamp. Should look in to one of the little usb midi controllers on MD since I did really like having phsyical crossfading between inputs...
there really should be a general forum for people like me to ramble on instead of only commenting on specific items. Although I've seen MD hint at that a few times

Jun 1, 2015

Jun 1, 2015

TenryuuI've considered doing that, sourcing out all the parts myself and build and sell a few of them, especially being unemployed. Fortunately I've already been offered a job so guess that won't be happening.

Jun 1, 2015

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