AMP requirement

Currently I have AT M50 and Sennheiser ie8. I'm considering to buy a Fiio E7, will my cans really benefit the e7?

I need to make sure before throwing 100usd to something I only occasionally use.

Cans: M50 and IE8

source: Asus g73jw and Samsung 7plus.

Currently I have AT M50 and Sennheiser ie8. I'm considering to buy a Fiio E7, will my cans really benefit the e7?

I need to make sure before throwing 100usd to something I only occasionally use.

Cans: M50 and IE8

source: Asus g73jw and Samsung 7plus.

AGP

Actually, m50 is 38 ohm. I can feel that the m50 doesn't get enough power from my Asus. Compared to my IE8, m50 sounds weak and not detailed. With ie8, i only use 18% vol, while with m50, I must use atleast 24-30 to be comparable.

How about the FIIO e17?

Note that the amp/dac will be used for my future cans. I will eventually buy a Beyer 770/880 or Senn HD650 to replace my M50.

Actually, m50 is 38 ohm. I can feel that the m50 doesn't get enough power from my Asus. Compared to my IE8, m50 sounds weak and not detailed. With ie8, i only use 18% vol, while with m50, I must use atleast 24-30 to be comparable.

How about the FIIO e17?

Note that the amp/dac will be used for my future cans. I will eventually buy a Beyer 770/880 or Senn HD650 to replace my M50.

AGP

You will definitely need an amp for 770/880 and 650 (300ohm)

One benefit of an external amp is that you can adjust the amp in the analog space, so the bitdepth isn't reduced (CDs are 16bits) When you use windows to adjust the volume you reduce the bitdepth. The less volume you have the more dynamic range you lose (CD has a total of 96db, you lose 6db per 1 bit). If you have a 24bit capable sound card, then you should set it to 24bit 44.000khz in windows sound properties so that it will allow you to reduce the volume without losing a lot of dynamic range.

If you mean 30% volume out of 100% then the sound card is still plenty powerful enough, but if you are planning on the 650 or like the 250ohm/600ohm 880 then it will be worth buying an amp. The Fiio amp is decent, so that will benefit the more hungry headphones.

[QUOTE="AGP"]

Actually, m50 is 38 ohm. I can feel that the m50 doesn't get enough power from my Asus. Compared to my IE8, m50 sounds weak and not detailed. With ie8, i only use 18% vol, while with m50, I must use atleast 24-30 to be comparable.

How about the FIIO e17?

Note that the amp/dac will be used for my future cans. I will eventually buy a Beyer 770/880 or Senn HD650 to replace my M50.

APiranhaAteMyVa

You will definitely need an amp for 770/880 and 650 (300ohm)

One benefit of an external amp is that you can adjust the amp in the analog space, so the bitdepth isn't reduced (CDs are 16bits) When you use windows to adjust the volume you reduce the bitdepth. The less volume you have the more dynamic range you lose (CD has a total of 96db, you lose 6db per 1 bit). If you have a 24bit capable sound card, then you should set it to 24bit 44.000khz in windows sound properties so that it will allow you to reduce the volume without losing a lot of dynamic range.

If you mean 30% volume out of 100% then the sound card is still plenty powerful enough, but if you are planning on the 650 or like the 250ohm/600ohm 880 then it will be worth buying an amp. The Fiio amp is decent, so that will benefit the more hungry headphones.

Yes, its 24-30 out of 100, which is comfortable listening volume for me with the M50. However, it can't compare with my IE8, which is loud and clear with only 18% vol. I listen to mostly mp3 file with atleast 192kbps and flac 320kbps.I will also game with it; cs go, l4d, tf2 and sc2.

I will most likely buy the HD650 later to replace my M50. With 300ohm imp, can my Fiio e17 powers it?

I know it will not perfect, but atleast I can get better sound than the m50? I currently live in Hongkong now. The choices of cans are plenty here, but not with the amp. Its very expensive and not much option here.

I currently live in Hongkong now. The choices of cans are plenty here, but not with the amp. Its very expensive and not much option here.

AGP

I know its over your budget, but the performance will carry on if you purchase HD650s in the future.

Audio-gd ships from Guangdong Province in China.

Audio-gd NFB-16 USB Amp/DAC (battery version) ($193 USD including domestic / HK freight):

http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB16/NFB16EN.htm

Head-fi thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/611396/new-audio-gd-nfb-16-class-a-acss-portable-dac-amp/45

Keep in mind the Audio-gd is not as portable as the Fiio E17, but can still operate off battery power.

You should also know that a lot of popular headphone amps and DACs are made in China.

If portability is not as much a concern and you want to stay closer to your $100 budget, there is the Zero DAC ($128 USD ships from Hong Kong):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VERSION-ZERO-24-192KHZ-DAC-HEAD-AMP-USB-OPA627-/260685411012?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3cb20fb2c4

Head-fi thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/269458/review-zero-24-bit-192khz-dac-headphone-amp-pre-amp

[QUOTE="AGP"]

I currently live in Hongkong now. The choices of cans are plenty here, but not with the amp. Its very expensive and not much option here.

NVIDIATI

I know its over your budget, but the performance will carry on if you purchase HD650s in the future.

Audio-gd ships from Guangdong Province in China.

Audio-gd NFB-16 USB Amp/DAC (battery version) ($193 USD including domestic / HK freight):

http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB16/NFB16EN.htm

Head-fi thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/611396/new-audio-gd-nfb-16-class-a-acss-portable-dac-amp/45

Keep in mind the Audio-gd is not as portable as the Fiio E17, but can still operate off battery power.

You should also know that a lot of popular headphone amps and DACs are made in China.

If portability is not as much a concern and you want to stay closer to your $100 budget, there is the Zero DAC ($128 USD ships from Hong Kong):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VERSION-ZERO-24-192KHZ-DAC-HEAD-AMP-USB-OPA627-/260685411012?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3cb20fb2c4

Head-fi thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/269458/review-zero-24-bit-192khz-dac-headphone-amp-pre-amp

Thank you for the help. This will greatly help me. I will consider these 2 brand and start reseraching.

Last question for everyone, how is the HD650 for gaming use? Mainly I game CS go, L4D, tf2 and sc2. Of course I will use it mainly for musing listening at home.

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

[QUOTE="AGP"]

I currently live in Hongkong now. The choices of cans are plenty here, but not with the amp. Its very expensive and not much option here.

AGP

I know its over your budget, but the performance will carry on if you purchase HD650s in the future.

Audio-gd ships from Guangdong Province in China.

Audio-gd NFB-16 USB Amp/DAC (battery version) ($193 USD including domestic / HK freight):

http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB16/NFB16EN.htm

Head-fi thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/611396/new-audio-gd-nfb-16-class-a-acss-portable-dac-amp/45

Keep in mind the Audio-gd is not as portable as the Fiio E17, but can still operate off battery power.

You should also know that a lot of popular headphone amps and DACs are made in China.

If portability is not as much a concern and you want to stay closer to your $100 budget, there is the Zero DAC ($128 USD ships from Hong Kong):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VERSION-ZERO-24-192KHZ-DAC-HEAD-AMP-USB-OPA627-/260685411012?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3cb20fb2c4

Head-fi thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/269458/review-zero-24-bit-192khz-dac-headphone-amp-pre-amp

Thank you for the help. This will greatly help me. I will consider these 2 brand and start reseraching.

Last question for everyone, how is the HD650 for gaming use? Mainly I game CS go, L4D, tf2 and sc2. Of course I will use it mainly for musing listening at home.