What Amp/Dac do I need for a USB connected Headset?

[Tax6132]

I plan on getting Sennheiser G4ME ZERO USB, but I have no clue what Amp/Dac I need to get for it. anything under 100$ that you guys have ideas on please let me know, Thanks.

 

[anonymousdude]

I thought the G4ME ZERO was a normal 3.5mm headset? You really don't need an external amp/dac as it's not too hard to drive. Get it and just try plugging it in into you source and see what happens.

 

[fry178]

any usb HS wont allow for using an external amp/dac as its using a build-in sound card.
the game zero comes with 3.5mm, not usb plug.

i personally get the HD 558, mod them to HD 598 (by removing the rubber strip inside each can, takes 10min max), and use an external mic.
they will work for any content, but i still see better performance in games, than any of the 50-150$ gaming HS i had in 12y.
im running a dedicated SC that can run any sub 1000$ cans, so im not that familiar with external dac/amp solutions...

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485993609&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+558
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0126HISOO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1485993609&sr=8-2&keywords=hd+558

 

[Tax6132]

any usb HS wont allow for using an external amp/dac as its using a build-in sound card.
the game zero comes with 3.5mm, not usb plug.

i personally get the HD 558, mod them to HD 598 (by removing the rubber strip inside each can, takes 10min max), and use an external mic.
they will work for any content, but i still see better performance in games, than any of the 50-150$ gaming HS i had in 12y.
im running a dedicated SC that can run any sub 1000$ cans, so im not that familiar with external dac/amp solutions...

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-558-Headphones/dp/B004FEEY9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485993609&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+558
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0126HISOO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1485993609&sr=8-2&keywords=hd+558

Do you know if these headphones have 2 seperate jacks for audio and mic or do I need a special Dac/Amp to split them? if so what do you recommend ?

 

[fry178]

they are HP not HS, so no mic.
all sennheiser have either 3.5mm (6.3mm adapter) or usb (great, if you dont have a good soundcard).

but i havent heard any HS that can beat the sennh headphones.
even their own gaming cans are not quite as good (SQ) as the headphones.
my problem is, they charge about 100$ more for open-design headset, vs the headphones.
if you wont do anything but gaming, ok get the headset, but if not, go with the HD series (558/598) and just get a separate mic.


when i play FPS with my HD558 (lots cheaper than the 598, and can easily be modded to sound like the 598), almost everyone that doesnt know my, is surprised what i can hear (in-game), even that its not a gaming set.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/615531/is-the-sennheiser-hd-558-mod-worth-it/15
but all senheiser (as all good cans) will need about 20-30h of running time, before they produce "correct" sound.