Headphone Amplifier...HELP!!!

[do_Og@n]

I'm looking at getting an amplifier for my AKG K-702 Headphones but I little to nothing about them.

I would like to stay within about $100.

[nullstring]

Thats a pretty small amount for a K702.
These headphones need a quite a good amp.

You might consider posting on head-fi to get their opinion.

https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=Heed+Canamp#hl=en&safe=off&sclient=psy-ab&q=site:head-fi.org+k701+amp&oq=site:head-fi.org+k701+amp&gs_l=serp.3...3740.4999.1.5196.4.4.0.0.0.0.84.330.4.4.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.7Bssd17QFUs&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=bbb15d65ee7f00a9&biw=1496&bih=692

[do_Og@n]

Oh crap...I don't need another expensive habit.

I guess I'm saving up for the Schiit Lyr....thanks nullstring

[nullstring]

If you want a cheaper option you could make a Starving Student Millet Hybrid.

http://www.pmillett.com/starving.htm
http://www.diyforums.org/SSMH/SSMHschematic.php

Cost is only about $70 or so and is probably the best value for K701's (Although, I have no experience with them directly).
Need to do a bit of DIY electronics works, but it's not too hard!

[Parak]

If you are saving up money, consider saving up for an O2 amp. I am firmly in the objective camp as far as source gear is concerned, so seeing proper measurements feels great. Note that being transparent you would be using an eq to change the sound signature to your liking.

[karljs]

If you are looking for an amp that will pair with your particular headphones, I'll second the suggestion to post in Head Fi. I can hear the difference between amped and unamped, but not between different amps so I'll refrain from making my own suggestions.

If, by chance, you are looking for a portable amp, take a look at Ibasso.

[do_Og@n]

As of right now I am running my headphones off of a pci express x1 Creative Fatal1ty Extreme sound card. So the audio quality coming out isn't bad at all. I just need something to push more power out to the headphones.

[powerfulmojo]

Can you solder? I built one of these and it sounds great.
http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/

Mine... doesn't look so polished, but I'm the only one who has to look at it.

--Andy

[Amble]

If you want to consider getting a new sound card get an Asus DGX, which has a built in amplifier.  It powers my 50 ohm Sennheiser PC 360's beautifully.  I currently have it on the medium amp setting and they get way louder than my mobo's sound card.  I don't see you having any problem gain tuning your headphones 62 ohms on its medium setting let alone its highest setting.    The sound quality is great too and it's pretty cheap.

You can read more about its features on Asus' website: http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_DGX/

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132052

[thegunner100]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Class-Hybrid-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-6N11-Pre-AMP-/120698390588?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1a2f483c

Fits your budget nicely, and the tube amp will provide lots of voltage for your k702. I don't have any experience with this particular amp, but i've seen it being recommended as a budget amp. If you can spend more money, take a look at the Little Dot MK II or III. I currently use the MK III with my dt 800/600 and it powers it very nicely.

[do_Og@n]

I can't solder at all...not yet anyways. Thanks for the link 'thegunner100'. I've looked at various amps already and that is one I've thought of going towards. I've only been running my 702's off of the sound card so I'm sure I haven't heard their full potential yet.

I'll let you all know what I find and how it works once I get it. Thanks again for your advice thus far.

[thegunner100]

You're welcome! I've always wanted to try the k701/702/q701 on my setup(decco2 preamp + dac -> ldmkIII), but i've yet to meet someone who actually has them. I've tried the k702 out at J&R running through my fiio E17 and they sounded pretty nice, but I didn't want to listen for too long cause it was fairly quiet there and all my music leaked out.

If you do get the 6N11 tube amp, let me know how it sounds! I'd love to be able to recommend it to my friends as a budget amp.

[emptyk]

I've always wanted to try the k701/702/q701 on my setup(decco2 preamp + dac -> ldmkIII)

How does the Little Dot compare to the headphone jack on the Decco2? I have the Decco2, but haven't pulled the trigger on a separate headphone amp because part of the reason for buying the Decco2 was to consolidate components.

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

[PointyFox]

Sound Blaster Live Value.  I've personally never heard a difference between expensive amps and cheap amps.

[alaricljs]

I can hear the difference between my sound cards and a cheap amp... the cheap amp is more capable of driving my dt770 250ohm and hence more capable of reproducing bass and more cleanly reproducing the full spectrum without things getting muddy.  Still working on a not-cheap amp, then I can do a further comparison.

[noisyturtle]

I would second the reccomendation of the JDS Labs Objective2. That 'lil badboy can go toe to toe with amps that are 3x as expensive.

[ChaoticKinesis]

I would second the reccomendation of the JDS Labs Objective2. That 'lil badboy can go toe to toe with amps that are 3x as expensive.

I'm surprised anyone is even mentioning anything else, especially considering the stated price point.

[PointyFox]

I can hear the difference between my sound cards and a cheap amp... the cheap amp is more capable of driving my dt770 250ohm and hence more capable of reproducing bass and more cleanly reproducing the full spectrum without things getting muddy.  Still working on a not-cheap amp, then I can do a further comparison.

Get better headphones if you don't want mud.

[alaricljs]

I can hear the difference between my sound cards and a cheap amp... the cheap amp is more capable of driving my dt770 250ohm and hence more capable of reproducing bass and more cleanly reproducing the full spectrum without things getting muddy.  Still working on a not-cheap amp, then I can do a further comparison.

Get better headphones if you don't want mud.

That was in reference to having an amp vs not having an amp on those headphones.  With an amp those headphones have excellent clarity.

[pexon]

If you can solder there is a huge amount of amps at your finger tips. I currently use the DT770 Pro 250's with a ProJect Headbox Mk2 and I'm please with the audio I get.

[mattrm]

If you're just going to buy one, an o2 amp is the way to go.  Don't get suckered into all the audiophile BS (certainly if you find yourself spending £££ on cables, just stop!) an o2 is more than enough.  You can spend silly money if you want to, but it's not needed. 

http://www.jdslabs.com/storecat.php?fetchcat=1 - US based and sells cmoy and o2 amps.  Either will be plenty good enough!  It's surprising how good a cheap cmoy amp is.

If you're going to build your own then I'd build a couple of cmoy amps first, you can get parts kits of ebay if you look.  They're cheap and if you're not good at soldering it'll allow you get some experience in soldering a kit and then getting it working.  Then an o2 amp is the way to go.  This guy sells a kit with all the bits - http://www.headnhifi.com/diy-kits