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    ATH AD700 and more?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by apple314159, Oct 31, 2009.

  1. apple314159

    apple314159 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm planning on purchasing a pair of ath ad700 headphones sometime within the next month or two, and I was wondering if I should get a better sound card or a headphone amp to go with it. I just have the stock sound card right now. Will either of them make much of a difference (or difference enough to justify the price)? I'm no audiophile, so the sound doesn't have to be perfect, but I want it to be pretty damn good. Many thanks.
     
    apple314159, Oct 31, 2009
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  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    The AD700s are easy to drive; there is little point to getting a headphone amp for them (I own the AD700s and have used them with my amp). An upgraded source will make more of a difference but how noticeable it will be depends on a lot of things . . . just wait until you get them.

    Make sure your sound files are of decent quality, i.e. FLAC, LAME-encoded MP3s, Apple's AAC, etc. That can make a small difference depending on the recording.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Oct 31, 2009
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  3. apple314159

    apple314159 Notebook Consultant

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    My main concern is the hardware being the bottleneck, not the sound files.

    You're right. I should get the phones first.
     
    apple314159, Oct 31, 2009
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  4. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

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    Doesn't hurt to upgrade it if you have the money. Even simply getting it out of your notebook can make a huge difference. Getting out out the notebook will filter alot of noise that you hear with more sensitive headphones.
     
    Syndrome, Oct 31, 2009
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  5. Ch28Kid

    Ch28Kid Notebook Deity

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    You using it on your laptop or desktop?

    If its laptop, maybe sound card isnt such a bad idea.

    If you already have a sound card and its your desktop, get a headphone amp.
     
    Ch28Kid, Oct 31, 2009
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