[lejaz]

I'm pretty new to the subject of headphone amplification so forgive me if I sound a bit ignorant. I'm thinking of getting the hd600's and don't know if my 0404 amp/dac will be powerful enough to drive them well. If not, what portable in the $150 and under range would work well with the 0404 and the Senns...or would I have to raise my budget much higher to do better than the 0404? Thanks

 

[lejaz]

Forgot to mention...I will buy used...$150 new wouldn't be a step up from the 0404 I don't think.

 

[Gbjerke]

Why do you want the Hd600 with a portable amp? Get some IEMs, forget the amp. The IE8 is somewhat like the HD600 with the right tips.

Good Luck!

 

[lejaz]

Thanks for the suggestion but I can't bear to stick things bigger than a q-tip in my ears. Plus I'm mixing my own CD and want the accuracy/neutrality that the hd600's are renowned for. I was about to buy the k701's until I read that they require a powerful/expensive amp to drive them properly.

 

[donunus]

The emu0404 USB if its the one you have is not that bad for the hd580 I have which has the same drivers as the hd600(which I also had). There are some low output music that might not get loud enough at full volume on the built in headphone jack of the 0404 but its probably worth saving up for a desktop amp rather than spending money on a portable amp that might not even beat the sound quality of the EMU0404s headphone jack. Right now I am using the little dot mk2 and they really put a grip on those hd580 drivers when you use 6n6p or equivalent power tubes and Mullard EF92 driver tubes. The ld mk2 will only set you back $140 plus shipping and inexpensive tube upgrades.

 

[lejaz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif The emu0404 USB if its the one you have is not that bad for the hd580 I have which has the same drivers as the hd600(which I also had). There are some low output music that might not get loud enough at full volume on the built in headphone jack of the 0404 but its probably worth saving up for a desktop amp rather than spending money on a portable amp that might not even beat the sound quality of the EMU0404s headphone jack. Right now I am using the little dot mk2 and they really put a grip on those hd580 drivers when you use 6n6p or equivalent power tubes and Mullard EF92 driver tubes. The ld mk2 will only set you back $140 plus shipping and inexpensive tube upgrades.

Thanks...good suggestion about the ld mk2. The 0404 usb amp is driving my k240DF very well, and they are 600ohms. They sound way better out of the 0404 than other headphones which are only 55 ohms, like the k240S, so I guess the 0404 is not exactly a wimp. I'll probably try the hd600/580 with the 0404 amp/dac and see how they sound. Do you feel you lose any low end or highs with the 0404 compared to your upgraded ld mk2?

 

[donunus]

The 0404 is not really a wimp in quality of driving especially for such a low power output rating of 20mW. Its just that the gain might not be enough if you want to listen at louder volumes than what you get at full volume of the headphone Jack

 

[lejaz]

I manage pretty well with the 240DF at 75-80% on the volume knob, so it should be loud enough for the hd600. As long as the quality is not suffering I will stay with the 0404 and upgrade when budget permits. Thanks much for the feedback. It's a pretty good value for the $$, considering you get a decent amp, two decent mic preamps and a DAC for under $200!