Do I need an amp to run these headphones?

[Anonym312]

After I found out my motherboard, MSI Z97 Gaming 3, can handle upto 600ohm, I ordered a pair of Beyerdynamic DT880 600ohm. After some googling, many people say that even if it can handle that much, doesnt mean you should use so high ohm headphones with it, and it will sound bad. So I wonder, is this true?

If I bought a cheap amp, would it like take away some "weight" so it would be easier for the motherboard to handle it? Or am I good with just how it is?

All help is appreciated.

 

[ssddx]

that motherboard should drive the 600ohm beyers however a more powerful amplifier than the one found on your motherboard may certainly have less distortion and may drive them better. you should be able to at least use them on your motherboard and then decide on if you think an upgrade is worthwhile or not. my guess would be that driving them is going to be no issue but you may not get the volume, might get some distortion and may not get the best sound possible out of them that you could get with a more expensive amp.

the schiit magni is a decent amplifier for a fair price which drives the 250 and 600ohm beyer 770/880/990 fine without issue. worth thinking about if you find onboard not to your liking. it pairs well with the shiit modi if you wanted to use a completely external dac+amp system or you could use just the magni by itself as well.

curious as to why you picked the 880 over the 990, unless you are buying them for the balanced neutral sound. the 990's are typically what most people end up buying. your choice, just interested to know your reasoning.

 

[Anonym312]

that motherboard should drive the 600ohm beyers however a more powerful amplifier than the one found on your motherboard may certainly have less distortion and may drive them better. you should be able to at least use them on your motherboard and then decide on if you think an upgrade is worthwhile or not. my guess would be that driving them is going to be no issue but you may not get the volume, might get some distortion and may not get the best sound possible out of them that you could get with a more expensive amp.

the schiit magni is a decent amplifier for a fair price which drives the 250 and 600ohm beyer 770/880/990 fine without issue. worth thinking about if you find onboard not to your liking. it pairs well with the shiit modi if you wanted to use a completely external dac+amp system or you could use just the magni by itself as well.

curious as to why you picked the 880 over the 990, unless you are buying them for the balanced neutral sound. the 990's are typically what most people end up buying. your choice, just interested to know your reasoning.

Yeah, I just have to see when I get my hands on them.

I picked the 880 over the 990 because I wanted a clean natural sound, in addition to some bass, not to much tho. From what I have read on different forums and etc.. open headphones lack bass, but have a really good soundstage. So really from what I can tell the DT880 is the perfect for me; natural sound, bass and good soundstage.

I could be very wrong since I am just getting into this. But really I think pretty much everything will be an upgrade from my plantronics rig. Also if I find them to sound horrible or them to not suit me, which I doubt, I can return them and buy another one, for example the DT990

 

[Anonym312]

that motherboard should drive the 600ohm beyers however a more powerful amplifier than the one found on your motherboard may certainly have less distortion and may drive them better. you should be able to at least use them on your motherboard and then decide on if you think an upgrade is worthwhile or not. my guess would be that driving them is going to be no issue but you may not get the volume, might get some distortion and may not get the best sound possible out of them that you could get with a more expensive amp.

the schiit magni is a decent amplifier for a fair price which drives the 250 and 600ohm beyer 770/880/990 fine without issue. worth thinking about if you find onboard not to your liking. it pairs well with the shiit modi if you wanted to use a completely external dac+amp system or you could use just the magni by itself as well.

curious as to why you picked the 880 over the 990, unless you are buying them for the balanced neutral sound. the 990's are typically what most people end up buying. your choice, just interested to know your reasoning.

Yeah, I just have to see when I get my hands on them.

I picked the 880 over the 990 because I wanted a clean natural sound, in addition to some bass, not to much tho. From what I have read on different forums and etc.. open headphones lack bass, but have a really good soundstage. The DT880 are semi-open, so I get th best out of worlds. So really from what I can tell the DT880 is the perfect for me; natural sound, bass and good soundstage.

I could be very wrong since I am just getting into this. But really I think pretty much everything will be an upgrade from my plantronics rig. Also if I find them to sound horrible or them to not suit me, which I doubt, I can return them and buy another one, for example the DT990.

 

[ssddx]

while there is no accounting for personal taste or preference which can really throw a wrench into the works when making audio reviews i will say a few things which i've heard from many people who own them.

the 880 is generally considered to be more boring than the 990 since the v sound profile of the 990 gives it a little more pizazz and energy.
the 880 due to less emphasis on bass and treble is also a bit less fatiguing (if you are affected by this only)
both the 880 and 990 have lots of treble (the 990 has more) which can be toned down with eq or other means.
the 990 plainly has more bass output. the 880 has some but not much and most consider it rather weak in comparision.

some people find the 880/990 too bright and vibrant (those users tend to like the hd650's) while the same people who like the 880/990's find the hd650 to be slow and boring. this is why i said that taste has much to do with audio.

i'd give the 880s a try since you already have them ordered and if you think you'd prefer more bass and more "energy" in your sound then the 990's may be more up your alley. honestly you will not know until you listen with your own ears.

remember, some headphones need some time to burn in before they sound their best. also sometimes it takes time to get used to a new set of cans. please remember this when you go to listen and make judgements. also remember that bad amping or bad source for sound can make even good headphones sound bad.

 

[Anonym312]

I ordered them, but they are not shipped or anything, I can cancel the order if I want too. If what you say is true, it would seem that the DT990 are better for me. If I were to cancel the DT880 and order the DT990, which ohm should I choose? 32, 250 or 600?

 

[ssddx]

well, the dt990pro-250ohm's are SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper than the premiums which are available in 32,250,600 but provided price is no object.. the 600's are going to give you the nicest sound.

i would suggest reading a bit more on the differences between the 880 and 990 (head fi is a great source of info) as before you go making any decisions i'd like you to read up on the matter first and make your own call.

 

[Anonym312]

After some reading I concluded that I'll just go "safe" with the DT880. I am not a basshead, so I want balanced bass and I like natural sound. Since I haven't tested none of the headphones, I can't really tell which is the best, but I'll go with the DT880. If I don't like it, i'll just exchange them for a different pair of headphones.

 

[stunndman]

After some reading I concluded that I'll just go "safe" with the DT880. I am not a basshead, so I want balanced bass and I like natural sound. Since I haven't tested none of the headphones, I can't really tell which is the best, but I'll go with the DT880. If I don't like it, i'll just exchange them for a different pair of headphones.

I am in exactly the same spot. MSI Z97 motherboard and I am considering the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition 600 Ohm.

I am curious how it worked out for you.

 

[Anonym312]

After some reading I concluded that I'll just go "safe" with the DT880. I am not a basshead, so I want balanced bass and I like natural sound. Since I haven't tested none of the headphones, I can't really tell which is the best, but I'll go with the DT880. If I don't like it, i'll just exchange them for a different pair of headphones.

I am in exactly the same spot. MSI Z97 motherboard and I am considering the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition 600 Ohm.

I am curious how it worked out for you.

I have more than enough volume with the Z97, but I don't really know if I get the most out of my headphones. I am really considering the Schiit Vali amp, if I don't find another amp. The hybrid tubes will change the sound a bit; more warmth and fun sound, not analytic, but I think these headphones need more of that sound since they are so natural and bright.

If you are a basshead these are definatlely the headphones for you! But an amp would maybe improve the bass, imo the bass is a bit not punchy with the Z97, but the bass is there when it is supposed to. I love these headphones tho, the sound stage is amazing, and I hear instrumentes and tones I've never heard before in songs. But these are my first "audiophile" headphones, so that could be the reason why they are amazing for me.

Anyway, from what I read an amp would give it better sound, specially with a tube amp. If I buy the Schiit Vali or any other amp I will post if I can hear any difference.

If someone who got the headphones and an amp tell me your setup and come with recommendations.

 

[ssddx]

just something i've heard on my travels:

it has been said that the schiit vali has many of the flaws tube amps suffer from but doesnt give you the warm tubey sound.

you may want to head over to head-fi to read up on some sub $150 amps before you settle on it.

just a suggestion of course.

 

[Anonym312]

just something i've heard on my travels:

it has been said that the schiit vali has many of the flaws tube amps suffer from but doesnt give you the warm tubey sound.

you may want to head over to head-fi to read up on some sub $150 amps before you settle on it.

just a suggestion of course.

There are very mixed reviews on the Vali, but most people and reviews that I've read absolutely loves it.

It is a hybrid tube amp, so it won't give as much warmth as a tube amp.

Right now I am looking for other options as an amp, I've heard OTL amps works amazingly with the DT880, but so far I haven't found any that is really recommended with the DT880 within my price range; 150 bucks top.

Any suggestions?

 

[ssddx]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/596482/the-sub-100-portable-amps-shootout-11-1-amps-compared

http://www.head-fi.org/t/620775/the-sub-200-portable-amps-shootout-13-11-amps-compared

i'll leave it up to the guys over at headfi for tube amps as they know more about them than i do. i listed two threads above which you may want to read.

 

[Anonym312]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/596482/the-sub-100-portable-amps-shootout-11-1-amps-compared

http://www.head-fi.org/t/620775/the-sub-200-portable-amps-shootout-13-11-amps-compared

i'll leave it up to the guys over at headfi for tube amps as they know more about them than i do. i listed two threads above which you may want to read.

I don't need portability as they are just going to be used at one place. Also aren't most of those amps solid state?

So far the Schiit Vali seems to be my best option, I can't really find another tube/hybrid tube amp that works well with the DT880 for around 100bucks. Anyone have any recommendations?