Entry audiophile, needs help with OpAmps and 600ohm headphones.

[daisyboy]

Okay. So firstly I am getting another MSI Z170A titanium xpower. But im looking for an epic headphone set to go with it, and i have settled on Beyerdynamics 880's.

Now, i have read a lot of threads and it seems most people don't think the motherboard can run such a high impedance headphone properly.

As far as I understand the Motherboard can handle 600ohms but that doesn't necessarily mean it can run high enough voltage to power a 600ohm headset effectively, since you need OpAmps to boost the signal. like the Beyerdynamic 880 @600ohms.

But then I found this

it has dual OpAmps, the Texas Instruments OP1652's

http://www.ti.com/product/OPA1652

"The OPA1652 (dual) and OPA1654 (quad) FET-input operational amplifiers achieve a low 4.5-nV/√Hz noise density with an ultra-low distortion of 0.00005% at 1 kHz. The OPA1652 and OPA1654 op amps offer rail-to-rail output swing to within 800 mV with a 2-kΩ load, which increases headroom and maximizes dynamic range. These devices also have a high output drive capability of ±30 mA."

Meaning then that it should be able to handle 600 ohm headphones right?

is there anyone here that owns a decent amp, the same motherboard and the same headphones that can vouch that there is no or little difference between running these headphones on a external amp?

I'm entirely new to the technical side of sound so please forgive any ignorance.

 

[nan0s0ldier]

I also used to be a newcomer like you . Yes you are correct, the board will be able to drive those headies just fine. BUT! With high quality headphones like those youll want to get an external dac anyways. Reason being you will get a higher quality op-amp and dac, also being external there will be less noise. I've done this loads of times and an external dac like an Asus U7 or Sound Blaster G5 always come out ontop. The sound is less distorted and the soundstage completely opens up if that makes sense? you start to hear things you've never heard before etc. Minor details you start to pick up make the world of difference

+1 on the choice though Open back = king of sound

 

[daisyboy]

I got this when I checked for interference problems on the forums.

"One of the advantages of a discrete sound card is that it uses a separate PCB while onboard solutions could suffer from interference from surrounding electrical components on the motherboard. To resolve this problem, Audio Boost 3 provides an isolated audio circuit to ensure a clear audio signal. This feature is highlighted on the motherboard with a red illuminated border that shows the isolated part of the PCB.

But there is more. Audio Boost 3 motherboards are equipped with Japanese made Chemi-Con capacitors that are specifically selected to deliver the best audio experience. In addition, the audio processor is protected by an electromagnetic shield (EMI-shield) to isolate the audio processor from external electromagnetic fields. This shield is made from a metal alloy to provide the best shielding possible."


and " Audio Boost 3 motherboards are equipped with golden audio jacks. The improved conduction results in an improved signal to make sure the audio output to your headset is flawless."

So i'm guessing that has to help somewhat?

 

[iamgigglz]

+1 to the tiny army man's comments.

It's absolutely worth getting a proper DAC/external amp. Yes, onboard sound has come a very long way and will work, but a dedicated piece of hardware will sound better.
If my 32 ohm Sennheiser HD449s sounded dramatically better moving from on-board to a lowly Soundblaster E3, those 880s will definitely appreciate the upgrade.

 

[nan0s0ldier]

I got this when I checked for interference problems on the forums.

"One of the advantages of a discrete sound card is that it uses a separate PCB while onboard solutions could suffer from interference from surrounding electrical components on the motherboard. To resolve this problem, Audio Boost 3 provides an isolated audio circuit to ensure a clear audio signal. This feature is highlighted on the motherboard with a red illuminated border that shows the isolated part of the PCB.

But there is more. Audio Boost 3 motherboards are equipped with Japanese made Chemi-Con capacitors that are specifically selected to deliver the best audio experience. In addition, the audio processor is protected by an electromagnetic shield (EMI-shield) to isolate the audio processor from external electromagnetic fields. This shield is made from a metal alloy to provide the best shielding possible."


and " Audio Boost 3 motherboards are equipped with golden audio jacks. The improved conduction results in an improved signal to make sure the audio output to your headset is flawless."

So i'm guessing that has to help somewhat?

I've had 2 motherboard with that same sort of tech. Seperate PCB's do make a difference but it still isn't crystal clear.
Maybe try just the headphones for now. If you're happy then no need but i can defs tell you it makes a massive difference

 

[daisyboy]

Maybe i am stubborn but "Several MSI GAMING motherboards also include USB Audio Power, which is a feature that prevents audio distortion on headsets or headphones that connect via USB. MSI limits unstable USB voltage from reaching your audio hardware by providing each USB port with a true 5V signal."

I feel like that, the choice of s/pdif out, a separate circuit and a faraday cage seems like its a pretty solid on-board.

What motherboard did you run your sennheisers on [MENTION=29209]iamgigglz[/MENTION] ?

 

[iamgigglz]

....side note: Gold connectors look awesome but "The improved conduction results in an improved signal to make sure the audio output to your headset is flawless" is pure marketing rubbish. Don't let the presence of gold connectors or the lack thereof to sway your buying decision at all.

What motherboard did you run your sennheisers on [MENTION=29209]iamgigglz[/MENTION] ?

I've compared on a number of boards (CUD life ) but most recently the MSI Z270M Mortar, which has the isolated circuitry, Audioboost, Chemi-con caps etc. Granted, it's much better than any board I've tried before; it's bass response is rock solid and doesn't drown out the midrange. It just loses out on the high end though. Reload/footstep/key-in-lock sounds lack detail. My Soundblaster E3 somehow manages to grab more detail without being too bright and still allow the low end to come through.

 

[daisyboy]

hahaha, [MENTION=24460]nan0s0ldier[/MENTION] , nee man, wees verkeerd

I want good audio without a DAC. Now il have to spend another 3 days researching DAC/s

 

[Gnarls]

Just buy an Asus Essence STX. You can thank me later.

 

[nan0s0ldier]

hahaha, [MENTION=24460]nan0s0ldier[/MENTION] , nee man, wees verkeerd

I want good audio without a DAC. Now il have to spend another 3 days researching DAC/s

im pretty sure you will get good audio. Don't get me wrong. But you will get EXCELLENT audio if you get a dac

 

[Bearman]

I have 350ohm headset and Essence STX. Veeery happy. [Smallish Audiophile]

 

[Spidey8085]

im pretty sure you will get good audio. Don't get me wrong. But you will get EXCELLENT audio if you get a dac

What's your gaming sound setup like?

 

[nan0s0ldier]

What's your gaming sound setup like?

ill take a pic when i get home. I have a sound blasterx G5 and Audio Technica ADG1's (Basically AD700x's with a mic)

 

[daisyboy]

okay, so lets try a different angle to this

My latest DT880 600ohm qoute sits on R4100 without DAC

is there a better headphone + DAC combo for under R5000?

(in my eyes i could always just get a DAC later on but for now assume id be stuck with the 880's
without a DAC for a long time )

 

[nan0s0ldier]

okay, so lets try a different angle to this

My latest DT880 600ohm qoute sits on R4100 without DAC

is there a better headphone + DAC combo for under R5000?

(in my eyes i could always just get a DAC later on but for now assume id be stuck with the 880's
without a DAC for a long time )

open back or closed? DT990's are fully open and cost less.

 

[Gnarls]

okay, so lets try a different angle to this

My latest DT880 600ohm qoute sits on R4100 without DAC

is there a better headphone + DAC combo for under R5000?

(in my eyes i could always just get a DAC later on but for now assume id be stuck with the 880's
without a DAC for a long time )

Do you have a headphone amp? IMHO, the amp is going to give you better bang for buck than a dac.


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