Appropriate Amplifier for Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO

[scorpion89]

Just a quick question if I was to get either the Beyerdynamic T70 or the DT770 PRO with that Asus amplifier which one would offer more bass?

[Marcus]

"An amp" is only going to make a difference if the headphone out stage (the amp) in whatever your source might be is lower quality than "the amp" that you add.
If you are listening to onboard sound/poor source material/bad headphone out stages it's not "an amp" that is making the difference but rather "a good headphone stage".
Comparing the A900X from a good source with good headphone stage vs poor source with poor headphone stage is going to have differing results. Improving the headphone stage will result in better sound vs poor headphone stage and improving the source will result in better sound vs a poor source.
All more efficient headphones need is a good headphone stage, which stuff like the Essence STX/One and a whole bunch of other stuff has.

The Denon receiver you are looking at is a receiver, not a headphone amp/DAC.
While it does have a DAC stage and a headphone out, it's not going to be as good a solution as a proper dedicated soundcard/DAC/amp etc.

If you are considering the Beyer T70, you'll need a good quality source with a good quality (but not especially powerful) headphone stage.
If you are considering the DT770/990/HD650, you will need a good quality source and a good quality, fairly high powered headphone stage.

Keep in mind this is a commercial forum - coming here and asking for heaps of advice but making it quite clear you're shopping elsewhere purely based on price alone is a little rude.
We can match prices of authorised non grey market bricks and mortar stores. The Essence One is heavy, so shipping adds up unfortunately.

I still think you're barking up the wrong tree for primarily gaming use. Grab a pair of AKG K242HD or Ultrasone Pro550 and a Fiio E11, bam - headphone problem solved.

[Drubbing]

Everyone's told me if your using the DT770 or 990s you NEED a amplifier they are too inefficient to run without one which is why I have been persisting with one.
Thanks!

The point made here is you don't NEED either the 770 or 990 in the first. Place. Why buy a phone that's hard to drive just because you think it it's bassy enough? plenty of cheaper stuff does that.

Plus, you're missing every other point made by others your needs for gaming use. After about $150 more money isn't going to buy you better gaming experience.

And - AMPS DON'T ADD BASS.

[scorpion89]

Of course I'm shopping everywhere, you just go spend 100+ dollars more at a shop because you like them do you? Well I'm sorry but I don't have money to throw away, if someone marries my daughter and is my best friend but charges me more for a product then of course I'm going to have a look at other areas! Common sense really.......

Ok were getting nowhere here, me trying to pick which headphones I want is pointless unless I can find a area to try them out which I cant.
As I said before if you can advise me where I could find such a place, because google has been as much help as a dead rat, then thanks.

[matt_d_19]

If you want lots of bass for gaming, grab a Buttkicker Gamer along with your headphones. I use it for gaming and it adds all of the realism and impact I want for effects in the game. Plus it never muddies or bleeds into the other frequencies because it's vibration.

As for headphones, you've already been told that DT990s are overkill. So go with something like the AD700, DT440, K242HD, DT250, etc. along with a little amp like an E11 if your current headphone stage is bad.
You won't really need to try them before you buy because you're very likely to be happy with any recommendation given here. Plus if the main thing that you're worried about is bass, this won't really matter if you have the BK.
I recommend a headphone with some isolation, though, if you're going to get the BK because it can be a little noisy at times.

Also, some good advice that I can give you as someone who's been in the same position as yourself is to buy from an authorized, trustworthy business like Headphonic.
There are so many benefits of buying here compared to any online shop - free shipping, great staff, help when you need it, warranty, etc.
Even if it means paying a few extra dollars, it's worth it - trust me, I've been through the same thing as you.

[Drubbing]

Ok were getting nowhere here, me trying to pick which headphones I want is pointless unless I can find a area to try them out which I cant..

Which is a problem anyone not living in Perth has. It's one reason this forum helps people find out what they need, as opposed to what they think they need, or want. Whilst it's opinion, it's reliable opinion and not based on bullshit. Any number of products have been recommended - just try finding them to demo elsewhere, it's impossible, too few brick and mortar carry them.

But you can't expect a commerical forum to help you out with every single issue you have, and that you've rehashed, when you've made it clear you're going take that advice and shop around online for the lowest price.

People like me help this forum out because Marcus has stopped me and many others from sinking a lot of unneccesary money into audio. Which you would have done to the tune of ~$800 with your original idea. Plus you get 20 day trial and exchange. Try getting that anywhere else.

[Benno1988]

Of course I'm shopping everywhere, you just go spend 100+ dollars more at a shop because you like them do you? Well I'm sorry but I don't have money to throw away, if someone marries my daughter and is my best friend but charges me more for a product then of course I'm going to have a look at other areas! Common sense really.......

Ok were getting nowhere here, me trying to pick which headphones I want is pointless unless I can find a area to try them out which I cant.
As I said before if you can advise me where I could find such a place, because google has been as much help as a dead rat, then thanks.

I've buy my headphones from Headphonic. Because I support Aussie stores, i support keeping my money in Australia and I like the quick postage and gaurentee no fuss warranty.

You've done fuck all research in a reasonably exclusive area of electronics. Of course you're getting nowhere. Add to that you're being extremely immature and rude, should be thankful anyone replied, let alone 2 pages worth telling you you're on the wrong path.

Go to Head Fi IMO.

/2 cents

[Riverback]

For Beyer stuff you're pretty much on your own if you want to try them out. (Most of them are covered by the 20 day trial anyway)
Audio Technica stuff you can try them out at the AT Store in Pitt St Mall. Their headphones cost more though last time I checked.

[Marcus]

I'm pretty happy to give people advice normally, but not when it's a very obvious case of "hi, I'd like some advice on what to buy from someone else".

I assure you, our prices are competitive - but being an authorised reseller does sometimes mean being a little more expensive because we only buy through proper supply channels where possible. There's no risk of grey-market items, or imitation/fakes, or lack of after sales support/warranty. Your money goes to a family owned Australian based and operated business that's been running now for 10 years, we're not just a fly-by-night quick buck web based shop.

[BusinessEvolution]

Ok were getting nowhere here, me trying to pick which headphones I want is pointless unless I can find a area to try them out which I cant..

People like me help this forum out because Marcus has stopped me and many others from sinking a lot of unnecessary money into audio. Which you would have done to the tune of ~$800 with your original idea.

The advice is trying to maximize the value you receive for the amount you are spending. Its also rather hard to find specialty hifi stores that stocks the range that headphonic does. Headphonic's service is great, and some products do have a limited trial period, which is far better than what any other store I know offers. I know a store semi-nearby that has a decent headphone range but their service is bad and they tried to up sell me every time I went there and got annoyed when I didn't spend more. When I buy stuff from JB Hifi they glare at me and tell me about all the different ways they don't accept returns, do I seriously look that cheap lol, I don't even haggle with them. Most of the headphone specialty stores in Sydney have shut down :/ or are expensive.

I was attracted here because the staff care about their customers and offer a high level of service and advice. The quality of advice is among the best in Australia/world. I could easily buy grey market but if you actually investigate the majority of headphones available in the grey market in Australia/online, most are coming from Hong Kong, which is fine even if they are genuine but becomes sketchy fast when you want warranty, even if they claim there is a warranty. Then shipping back and forth. Its a matter of balancing the risks I imagine and depends what you value.

My local computer store had to introduce a $30 fee for looking at people's computers when there was a problem, which was previously a free service, because people would find out what was wrong then go somewhere else to save $5.

My favourite line from Ebay:
"Its not fake, I had other customers buy it that didn't complain"

I was a bit surprised recently that 90% of the opamps on ebay are fakes, if you actually look up how to tell if they are genuine its like woa wtf.

[Drubbing]

Your money goes to a family owned Australian based and operated business that's been running now for 10 years, we're not just a fly-by-night quick buck web based shop.

Shit, you can't even fly by day...

[Marcus]

Badoom-crash.

[scorpion89]

Just wanted to ask impressions on the Matrix Mini I amplifier? Would it be an appropriate choice for the T70s? Which other amplifiers that have optical ports, a remote and DTS support would you suggest? Iv'e ditched the Asus simply because I want some sort of SS support it does not offer that, and I wanted a screen so I can see what input I'm on, volume of my headset things like that. It's just too limiting especially for its price!

Thanks.

[BusinessEvolution]

Essentially what you are describing is more than an amp, its a dac + amp.

Whats your budget?

The cheapest option would be a receiver, but not many of those have USB connections to a computer, also they are pretty notorious for the quality of the amp unless you pay a lot, but often have dolby support.

The Cambridge Azure 540R, costs $999, which is probably too far out of budget, and is mainly designed for speaker systems.

It also depends whether you want unit to be able to generate surround or receive a surround signal from something else. Dolby pro logic II is far more common but is not as good as dolby headphones if you are using headphones.

If you were just using your computer, the ASUS essence STX/ST could be a good suggestion, but it becomes bit too tricky for me if you want a standalone unit with your PS3 as well.

[scorpion89]

Yea $1000 is a bit much I was thinking half that. $500 for the headphones looking at the Beyerdynamic T70s and $500 for a amp/dac. I think I'll stick to dedicated headphone amplifiers, as you said the amps in the receivers are pretty average < $1K.
I'll get a better headphone amp for $500 then I will a receiver, no?

Most games these days output DTS which is why I'm looking for a DTS compatible product, PS2 had pro logic for all its games but ps3 for some reason does not play nice with it you have to settle for stereo. Which is why I have chosen against the essance one, it does not support dolby headphone or any type of SS which is why I want a DTS amplifier.

I want something that I will be able to play my ps3 games in DD or even better DTS, PC wise I don't need a USB cable I will plug the amp in via optical same as my PS3. Optical from source to amp, then headphones in the front headphone jack.
Matrix: Mini i is looking pretty good to me, it has everything I want (DTS support, screen, remote, optical input, enough power to drive 250 ohm headphones) and it's fairly well priced at $400.

Any idea when the Matrix: Mini i will be back in stock? My pay went in today so I want to try get this ordered ASAP!
Playing my games through my TVs crappy speakers for the past 9 weeks has been torture!
Thanks.