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A community member
Sep 25, 2017
Hello! I am new to the audiophile community, and just ordered my first pair of decent headphones, the Massdrop x AKG 7XX. I will be using these along with my MacBook Pro Retina Late 2014 (w/ Toslink) and Spotify Premium HD Streaming. I have heard that these headphones can be difficult to drive not because of their 62 ohm impedance, but from their 105 db/V (~93 db/mW) sensitivity, 200mW max power input, and high current needs. I am currently looking at the Schiit Audio Vali 2 Tube/SS Hybrid Amp (possibly along with the Modi 2 Uber DAC) and the Little Dot I+ 6JI X2. I have heard these two amps are good options in general, but I am not sure how they pair with the 7XX. I would love any suggestions, as again I am very new to this scene and do not know a whole lot about what exactly to look for. Thanks!
MannyAkim
136
Sep 25, 2017
The LD1+ pairs fines, it all depends on your DAC and tube choice. I currently have the K7xx paired with my LD1+ using GE JAN 5654W or Voshkod 6ZH1P-EV. Both are amazing tubes, the Voshkod has better clarity compared to the GE JAN 5454w, but overall both tubes are amazing. With the K7xx on the LD1+, I can't go past 11 o'clock, it's already loud at 9 o'clock. I'm also using Audio Quest Dragon Fly Black as my source DAC.
To tell you the truth, the K7xx sounds best with Voshkod and the GE JAN 5654w sounds best with my HD598SE. There's tons of options on tube rolling. Check out this link on all tubes using the LD1+.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide.563884/
A community member
Sep 25, 2017
MannyAkimThank you for the insight! I most likely won't be getting a DAC right away, or tube rolling, so it will be output from my laptop straight to whatever amp I choose on the stock tubes. I am mostly worried about the current from either the I+ or Vali 2 doing the 7XX justice, as I have heard that tube amps are known for low current, thus making the 7XX sound pretty bad all around compared to a high current solid state. However, since this is a hybrid, and even says in the marketing that it is designed to compensate for this, I am skeptical both ways.
MannyAkim
136
Sep 25, 2017
The K7xx is only 62ohms. If you were using a headphone with 300ohms and above I'd be wondering to. This amp can push HD6xx fine from what I've read, this LD1+ can run 300ohms no problem, but remember stock tubes are class EF95. You will need other class tubes EF91/92 that support high gain mode on this LD1+.
A community member
Sep 25, 2017
MannyAkimThe I+ definitely has more than enough power for the 7XX, them being 62 ohm and having a max input of 200mW. However, (and correct me if I'm wrong, as I am new to this) that the electrical current output is independent from the power output, and that this is what a lot of people overlook when choosing amps, especially in use with the 7XX and its sensitivity. That is mainly what I'm looking for!
SuperDan2go
5
Oct 24, 2017
THD total harmonic distortion. This will make the most discernable difference. Unfortunately specs are lies sometimes. Auditions are the best. Some reviews can be trusted. If they don't even list then u know what's up. Also consider that the source quality is just as much a factor. I have seen some headphone amps that have USB connectors. Still that doesn't garauntee any improvement of a p.o.s. sound card.
Ruudh
32
Oct 25, 2017
From my knowledge, somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, the first thing to upgrade after the phones would be the dac. You can have the best tubes in the world, but garbage in is garbage out. I know the red dragonfly doesn't have any trouble driving headphones up to 150 ohms. Hopefully some people with more hands on experience in this field can jump in on this, but seems very illogical to not upgrade your audio source, but do upgrade everything behind it.
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