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Do your headphones REALLY perform much better with more expensive DAC/AMP? (alien.top)

submitted 1 year ago by FrankieWilde11@alien.top to c/headphones@hi-fi.community

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I have the Sennheiser HD600, Neumann NDH-30, Audeze LCD-X.

I use these with my SSL2 hp out, and with Qudelix 5K.

I spoke to someone about my impressions and his first question was: which dac/amp? and when I told, he just winked.

So my question is: is the difference this obvious with a more expensive dac/amp combo? Should I spend another 6-800 euro to get one? Do your headphones open up/perform that much better?

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[–] dented42ford@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As someone who works with audio and pro audio products for a living and often uses the term "audiophool" (mostly when it comes to stuff like cables or power supplies):

DAC: Doesn't matter until you get into very specific applications (DSD comes to mind) and once you've passed the threshold of quality. Something like your SSL or my RME's or any other pro (or even prosumer) interface is just as good as the equally-priced stuff from audiophile companies, in practical use.

AMP: Is pretty usage-dependent, but does matter to some extent. I personally use a Lake People amp for my pro headphones (HD-800, DT-1770, LCD-X, HiFiMan, custom IEMs). It sounds more controlled than the headphone outs of my RME or other pro studio stuff I use like Grace - as it should, given its design. Also, certain topologies do sound and respond differently (discrete vs integrated, tube, and so on), but it is pretty subtle. For the most part it is so subtle as to not matter much.

I will say that standalone amps do tend to sound better, and it is noticeable. Once you hit that threshold of quality, though, the differences between those standalone amps are mostly down to design or minutiae.

[–] FrankieWilde11@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

thank you. so I guess a dedicated hp amp (like Schiit or Topping around 3-500) would be enough for me.