Headphones and other things for 300$

[Alexxo]

Hello,

I'd like to buy headphones as well as a DAC and probably a little headphone amp for about 250-300$.

It would be used to listen to music and sometimes play FPS games.

I'm thinking about getting a DT990 Pro 250 ohms with a Fiio E10K as well as a small headphone amp, the Millenium HA 4. Are these good choices? Have you got any better idea for the price?

Also, i'd like to have quite a "warm" sound, something pleasant with nice bass without neglecting the rest.
I'd really like to avoid having a sound that seems strident and unpleasant.
What I really need a nice warm sound, I want to listen to music and just chill basically.

Anyway, I'd really like to get your opinions or your suggestions!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Fiio E10K is already dac + amp - no need for another amp. I think you got good choice on these phones. I haven't heard them myself, but many love them and measurements are really good.
I consider myself a bit headphone addict - some of my current hoarding: AKG K712k Pro, Sens HD558 (this one is most recent), Sens HD201 Fostex t20rp and t50rp.

For DAC+headphone amp I've used Audioengine D1, but I would in the market for one today I'd go with Odac Labs DAC+amp combo if you're looking to get the extra 0.01% of quality
https://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/o2-odac-combo-revb/

 

[Alexxo]

Yeh that's what I thought but on the product page they specify it should drive headphones up to 150 ohms, that's why I was thinking about a small amp ( since it's about like 30$ )

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yeh that's what I thought but on the product page they specify it should drive headphones up to 150 ohms, that's why I was thinking about a small amp ( since it's about like 30$ )

this guy said he used them with 250ohm phones without issues:
http://www.amazon.com/forum/-/Tx1C0WZ95JJKY58/-/ref=ask_dp_lsw_al_hza?asin=B00LP3AMC2

Rule of thumb is - invest as little as possible in electronics+cable, but do spend of speaker/phones

 

[Alexxo]

Okay! I guess it's perfect then!

I currently have an AKG K142HD with a Creative X-Fi Titanium ( that just burnt somehow ), will there be a big improvement?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It's hard to me say anything since I don't know K142 nor DT990 Pro's, but prior is DJ (I assume bass happy) semi-open while later is open design more geared toward more recording studio - neutral sound
It's depends what you like and potentially may find DT990''s so called "lacking" in bass. Reality is they aren't - it's possible that you got used to less than neutral sound.

Again, take my somewhat educated guesses for what they are
Also I'm no not big fan of ANY internal sound cards - sound interfaces should be external - they don't have to be expensive (i used Behringer 202+Fiio E5 to drive Fostex T20rp and sound is great - 202's head amp is terrible, but very decent usb dac if you use line out)

 

[fmw]

I recommend spending the entire budget on the headphones. You can use the phones with whatever you have currently (receiver, sound card) to drive them. That will give you better sound quality than lesser headphones and add on electronics.