Sennheiser HD 650 soundcard suggestions

[tennisplayer01]

Hi everyone I just bought a Sennheiser HD 650

Need to know what soundcard to get

I currently have an ASUS p8p67 pro motherboard with built in sound

Let me know the suggestions

 

[gamerk316]

Well, first and formost, the HD 650 has a rated imedance of 300 Ohms. What that means to you, is without an amplifier, the headset will have a VERY low sound output. As a result, only 5 soundcards are even worth considering:

1: Auzentech Bravura
2: Creative Titanium HD
3: HT Omega Claro XT
4: ASUS Xonar Xense
5: ASUS Essence ST/STX

All these cards have an amp capable of driving that headset. Personally, the ASUS Essence ST/STX is probably the way to go for that headset. Especially since the cost of a soundcard is miniscule compared to the price of that headset. [MSRP: $650 O-0]

 

[tennisplayer01]

Which one of these are the cheapest to go for?

 

[gamerk316]

Probably the Bravura. I listed them in rough order of ascending quality, though the last four cards are very close.

The ST/STX however were designed with that type of headset in mind, so if you can afford one, thats probably the way to go.

 

[tennisplayer01]

So you would suggest basically anything under these 5 are pointless

What about the sound card on my ASUS motherboard. Will they differ at all?
How much better are these soundcards over my asus built on board

 

[gamerk316]

That headset will not work well without an amplifier, period. Thats the one [major] drawback of high impedance headphones: Without enough power, they simply will not be able to produce any meaningful volume. So unless you have an amp already hanging around, your only option is a soundcard with an amplifier capable of driving a 300 ohm headset.

 

[tennisplayer01]

Whats the difference in sound quality without it?

For now I have to wait till theirs a deal

 

[jockey]

The Asus Xonar DG 5.1 is a good budget card with a headphone amp. It powers my Corsair HS1A set very well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132020

 

[tennisplayer01]

Any cheaper ones that would work great still with this headset?

 

[tennisplayer01]

Gamerk316 any thoughts?

Jockey, hs1a is like a 60$ headset comparing to a 450$ headset

ones audiophile ones not

Not sure if thats whats supporting

 

[garage1217]

I would highly recommend an E-MU 0204 external card for a stellar budget unit. Measures outstandingly well. I know as I own 650's and an 0204 . I use the 0204 as a pre-amp but it powers the cans on its own very well. For an amp, I run a Project Sunrise hybrid tube amp, in which I was one of the designers And yes, it is a bad arse amp!

 

[tennisplayer01]

any possibility I can hook up an amp to my PC?

Cause i have some amps my dad used to have that are useless to him now from his home theater

 

[tennisplayer01]

But how bad will the sound be compared to with a soundcard

with my asus motehr board?

 

[gamerk316]

The ASUS Xonar DG's amp is only capable of driving up to 150 Ohms, less then the spec for that headset. So I can't recommend if for your headset.

If you have an amp laying around, you can certainly use that in place of a soundcard.

 

[tennisplayer01]

Best answer selected by tennisplayer01.