Hey folks, I have another question elsewhere about a potential 'phone upgrade, but this question is about the need for a separate amp, since one of the things on the "maybe" list is the 300 ohm Senn. HD600. My current cans are 32 ohm and sound good on anything they've been run with, but there's a lot of difference between 32 and 300.
Is it really possible/likely that the 'phone output of my home audio gear will not yield excellent performance? If not, what is the function of that feature? Is it like gear with substandard phono preamps, where a separate one is recommended because it's really not intended for serious use?
I hesitated to make this list, but surely some of these items must be capable of driving a pair of 300 ohm cans properly (?!).
Yamaha CR-1020, CA-610II, RX-460
Marantz 2285B, 2275
Sansui 8080DB
McIntosh MA 5100
Onkyo A7
Pioneer SA 9100
as well as various CD players with 'phone outs and volume controls
Frankly, if the choice is HD600 + amp vs. lower impedance cans, that may be reason to look more closely at the Philips X2 or the Shure 1440.
Could someone help straighten me out on all this? Thanks.
Is it really possible/likely that the 'phone output of my home audio gear will not yield excellent performance? If not, what is the function of that feature? Is it like gear with substandard phono preamps, where a separate one is recommended because it's really not intended for serious use?
I hesitated to make this list, but surely some of these items must be capable of driving a pair of 300 ohm cans properly (?!).
Yamaha CR-1020, CA-610II, RX-460
Marantz 2285B, 2275
Sansui 8080DB
McIntosh MA 5100
Onkyo A7
Pioneer SA 9100
as well as various CD players with 'phone outs and volume controls
Frankly, if the choice is HD600 + amp vs. lower impedance cans, that may be reason to look more closely at the Philips X2 or the Shure 1440.
Could someone help straighten me out on all this? Thanks.