Using a DJ Mixer as a headphone amp

[Marcus]

With your current setup the DM100/Mstage combo would be great

[xpl0sive]

Thanks Marcus. How would that combo compare to the Asus Xonar Essence One? Just curious as the Asus is a fair bit cheaper, but if it's worth the price difference for the DM100/Mstage combo then I'm willing to go for that...just want to get the best bang for buck without having to spend a fortune.

Also, how would either option sound with my ps3 playing games and watching blu-rays? Sorry for asking so many questions lol just want to make sure I make the right decision on what to buy.

[Marcus]

I haven't used either with a PS3, so I can't comment in that regard.

I like the Essence One in terms of value for money, but the volume pot and high gain on the headphone out put me off a bit - it kind of only matches well with harder to drive headphones, but even then it doesn't have the extra headroom power to drive the really hard to drive ones.

[xpl0sive]

Ah ok, so basically I'd be better off with the DM100/Mstage combo with my current headphones then. Would there be a significant improvement in sound from my HD25's using this combo?

[Marcus]

It's really going to depend on how good what you're upgrading from sounds. The HD25 aren't especially power hungry, so the amp stage isn't likely to be adding much, so it will come down to how good the DM100 is compared to your current DAC.

I guess another way to put it is that the HD25 will likely become your bottleneck.

[xpl0sive]

Well my current DAC would be whatever is in my Macbook Pro and ps3. I do plan to get a better set of headphones at some point, maybe its better to wait until I do that and then get a good dac/amp setup? Not sure.

[Marcus]

A good DAC and headphone stage is the cornerstone of a decent headphone setup, so rather than "making a difference" they give you a quality base line to work from. I wouldn't get the DM100/Mstage for the HD25 alone, but it's definitely a great starter to a more advanced setup

[xpl0sive]

Ah yeah, makes sense. Will the special be around for a while or is it limited? Just can't afford it right now as I've been hit with a few bills but may purchase within a month or so.