Best Amp for Sennheiser GAME ZERO Headset?

[Sven__]

(DISCLOSURE: I am a complete noob at this. )


Hi there guys and girls! I am having a rough time figuring this all out. I really want an amp and soundcard to get the fullest out of Sennheiser headphones and the general microphone/audio quality. Any suggestions for a good sound card and amp that is compatible with the headphones would be awesome.

Budget-
Soundcard $50-95 --- Amp $50-100

Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Soundcard with a headphone amp.

https://www.asus.com/us/Sound-Cards/Essence_STX_II/

I have the original STX and it drives Sennheiser HD 600s just fine. Sounds amazing.

 

[Chugalug_]

A solid in line amp would be the best choice imo, a sound card is good and all, but this makes it much better for portable devices and laptops etc.
Get the Fiio E10K imo, much better choice.
The Essence STX and Xonar cards are also good, as is the Sound Blaster Z.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Fiio E10K

Entry level.

https://www.asus.com/us/Sound-Cards/Essence_STX_II/

Audiophile.

 

[Chugalug_]

The Essence STX II also costs $200 US, not within the specified price range unfortunately.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Read it again. OP has a combined $200 budget for a sound card and amp. The Essence is both.

 

[Chugalug_]

Aaah, I see, thought it said amp OR sound card.
I recommend these in that case.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8PR48d/creative-labs-sound-card-30sb150200000
https://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-0702-Magni-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00SCBKPW2

 

[Sven__]

Aaah, I see, thought it said amp OR sound card.
I recommend these in that case.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8PR48d/creative-labs-sound-card-30sb150200000
https://www.amazon.com/Schiit-SCH-0702-Magni-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00SCBKPW2

Would that work with the Seinnheiser Game One? Thanks for the suggestion!

Link to specifics: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-GAME-ONE-Gaming-Headset/dp/B00KK8ZLEC?th=1

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Creative has terrible driver support across versions of Windows. I dropped them years ago for that reason. The Asus card I recommended and actually own, will drive up to 600 Ohm headphones and not break a sweat doing so. The software is very easy to use and quite powerful.

I've used my Essence STX with both Sennheiser HD 598s and HD 600s. Both and especially the HD 600s are true audiophile grade headphones.

 

[Sven__]

Creative has terrible driver support across versions of Windows. I dropped them years ago for that reason. The Asus card I recommended and actually own, will drive up to 600 Ohm headphones and not break a sweat doing so. The software is very easy to use and quite powerful.

I've used my Essence STX with both Sennheiser HD 598s and HD 600s. Both and especially the HD 600s are true audiophile grade headphones.

So you don't use an amp with that Sound card? I love the look of that sound card. I might consider it. I would need a cheap amp with it for my Gaming One headphones.

Nice setup btw!

 

[Deleted member 217926]

It has an integrated headphone amp that will drive up to 600 Ohm headphones. The HD 598s ( right in the picture ) don't necessarily need an amp. The HD 600s ( left in the picture ) do.

So cheap right now...

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

See here:

https://www.asus.com/us/Sound-Cards/Essence_STX_II/


Industry-leading 124dB SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) audio quality inherited from the revolutionary and widely-acclaimed Xonar Essence ST/STX
Ultra-low jitter with premium TCXO clock source
Clean and consistent power supply thanks to high-fidelity low-dropout (LDO) regulators and WIMA® capacitors for uncompromising sound
Top-notch headphone amplifier supports up to 600ohm-headphone impedance with additional gain for in-ear monitors (IEMs)
Exclusive op-amp swap kit includes three op-amps and tool for easy tone tuning Celebrated MUSES op-amps deliver true-to-life musicality

The card needs a MOLEX connector from the power supply for the amp.


I researched for months before I bought mine. You will not find anything comparable for the price. With the STX and HD 600s I'm to the point were I need better master recordings.

 

[Chugalug_]

I'd personally get a separate amp and sound card simply due to the level of sound quality you get from the Magni, I can't say i've tried to drive my Game Zeros from the Essence STX, but I did run them through my Magni 2 out of curiosity and they had a huge boost in sound quality.

 

[Sven__]

It has an integrated headphone amp that will drive up to 600 Ohm headphones. The HD 598s ( right in the picture ) don't necessarily need an amp. The HD 600s ( left in the picture ) do.

So cheap right now...

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Open-Back-Professional-Headphone/dp/B00004SY4H

See here:

https://www.asus.com/us/Sound-Cards/Essence_STX_II/


Industry-leading 124dB SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) audio quality inherited from the revolutionary and widely-acclaimed Xonar Essence ST/STX
Ultra-low jitter with premium TCXO clock source
Clean and consistent power supply thanks to high-fidelity low-dropout (LDO) regulators and WIMA® capacitors for uncompromising sound
Top-notch headphone amplifier supports up to 600ohm-headphone impedance with additional gain for in-ear monitors (IEMs)
Exclusive op-amp swap kit includes three op-amps and tool for easy tone tuning Celebrated MUSES op-amps deliver true-to-life musicality

The card needs a MOLEX connector from the power supply for the amp.


I researched for months before I bought mine. You will not find anything comparable for the price. With the STX and HD 600s I'm to the point were I need better master recordings.

I am doing that! You seem to know what you're doing. Thank you so much for the replies! I would need a separate mic for talking to my friends. Awesome stuff, thanks.


*Solved everybody thanks.*

 

[Deleted member 217926]

The Game Zeros have an integrated mic right? You wouldn't need another one. There is a mic in port on the card that you plug the headset into.

If you want something JUST for the computer you can't beat the STX. If you want portable that's another conversation.

The HD 600s sound better with the STX than they do my home receiver.

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/stereo-receivers/r-s700/

 

[Chugalug_]

Nice receiver!