[Socrates138]

I'm going to be purchasing the DT 990 Pro's soon (250 OHM) and I'd also like to buy a new amp (if you think it will help my headphones sound better) for my headphones as well.
 
Right now I have HD 598 headphones and I drive them with the Fiio E7 (the old version, not the new E07k one) that is attached to my computer. 
 
I was wondering if upgrading to a new amp would improve the sound quality of both my HD 598's and the new DT 990 Pro's that I will be purchasing.
 
If so, what amp do you think I should get? I was originally thinking to buy an E9 because I could then attach my E7 to it. But what about the new Fiio E11, E17, E09k? Are those better than the old E7 and E9? Also what about the Schiit Magni? The JDS Labs O2?
 
I'm looking for an amp that's $100 dollars at most, don't want to spend more than that.

 

[ztreb185]

The E7 is an amp/dac so are you looking for a replacement for that or just an amp?  The fiio E07k and and E17 are amp/dacs and are both similar and better than E7.  The e11 is a portable amp and the e09k is a desktop amp.

 

[Socrates138]

Quote:

The E7 is an amp/dac so are you looking for a replacement for that or just an amp?  The fiio E07k and and E17 are amp/dacs and are both similar and better than E7.  The e11 is a portable amp and the e09k is a desktop amp.

I'm looking for whatever will increase the SQ on my headphones the best.
 
I'm assuming that would mean getting a desktop amp and something that is not portable, but I could be wrong. That's why I'm asking this question.
 
I understand that the E7 is an amp/dac along with the E07k and E17, but those things are portable amps. I'm assuming getting an actual desktop amp would be the best option if I want to increase the SQ of my headphones as much as possible.
 
But my question is would it be better to get an E9/E09k and then plug those in with my E7, or would it be better to buy the Schiit Magni or JDS Labs O2?

 

[Socrates138]

Come on, no one?

 

[TrollDragon]

The E7 has to dock to an E9 it will not work with an E09K. You could use the Magni as your amp but you would have to pick up an L7 line out adapter for your E7, same with the O2. So your best choice there is the E9 if you cand find one. The Magni / Modi combo would be better and you could keep your E7 for portable use. Same with the O2 / ODAC combo. But both of those options are more than your $100 limit.

I have the E17 / E09K combo that drives my DT880 Pro's very well.


Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

 

[b3wannabe]

My opinion only .. have both the FiiO's (E7/E9 combo) and the Shiit Magni. My ears prefer the Magni, and it is smaller, cheaper, and easier to fuss with.FiiO E11 is a nice unit, I have that one, too), but if I had to choose, I'd choose the Magni. You'll do fine with any of these, really. The 598's will drive with anything and sound sweet. The 990's are the challenge of the two, and I think the Magni does well by them.

 

[Socrates138]

Quote:

The E7 has to dock to an E9 it will not work with an E09K. You could use the Magni as your amp but you would have to pick up an L7 line out adapter for your E7, same with the O2. So your best choice there is the E9 if you cand find one. The Magni / Modi combo would be better and you could keep your E7 for portable use. Same with the O2 / ODAC combo. But both of those options are more than your $100 limit.

I have the E17 / E09K combo that drives my DT880 Pro's very well.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

What do you think would be the best option?
 
1. E7/E9 combo
2. Magni/E7 (with L7 line out adapter)
3. O2/E7 (with L7 line out adapter)

 

[Socrates138]

Quote:

My opinion only .. have both the FiiO's (E7/E9 combo) and the Shiit Magni. My ears prefer the Magni, and it is smaller, cheaper, and easier to fuss with.FiiO E11 is a nice unit, I have that one, too), but if I had to choose, I'd choose the Magni. You'll do fine with any of these, really. The 598's will drive with anything and sound sweet. The 990's are the challenge of the two, and I think the Magni does well by them.

So the Magni alone is better than the E7/E9 combined?

What if I did what that other guy said, buy an L7 adapter and connect the Magni with the E7.

 

[TrollDragon]

I never got back to the OP so I continued my answer over here.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/663603/amp-for-hd-598s-and-bt-990-pros-250-ohm#post_9432771

 

[Frosty3258]

tubes imo sound better for the 598's than an ss to my suprise. cant say for the dt's though