I'm looking to improve my headphone experience, either with better cans or a small and portable amp. Some background:
I've been using Sennheiser 497s for years. I love the sound from a plugged-in source, but from my mp3 player they are questionable.
I used Etymotic ER-6 in-ears until I lost then on a trip, then got the ER-6i, which is almost as good. These drive well from the MP3 player.
At my desk I run FLAC-compressed CD rips (run through Dolby Headphone in software. Bliss.). On the MP3 player I select high bitrates when converting.
Total budget under $500.
The question: I want a better listening experience, at least with headphones on my PC. What's the best I can do from both sources without an amp? If I will really need an amp, what's small, portable, and battery-powered, and will work from headphone outs - I have no line outs. If I go to the expense of an amp, I want to be able to benefit my portable mp3 player experience too, even if I have to re-rip at higher rates.
Yes, I do have a real stereo system at home, but it's not where I do most of my listening. And it's fairly low-end, at a total of about $3k for tuner/amp, cd player, and 2.1 speakers. Old system.
The best component list I have been able to put together myself of the AKG K701s and an Emmeline the Tomohawk headphone amp, but I can't tell if the Tomohawk will work well without a line out.
I live on Long Island, NY - is there anywhere where I could try these things in a showroom?
Thanks.
I'm looking to improve my headphone experience, either with better cans or a small and portable amp. Some background:
I've been using Sennheiser 497s for years. I love the sound from a plugged-in source, but from my mp3 player they are questionable.
I used Etymotic ER-6 in-ears until I lost then on a trip, then got the ER-6i, which is almost as good. These drive well from the MP3 player.
At my desk I run FLAC-compressed CD rips (run through Dolby Headphone in software. Bliss.). On the MP3 player I select high bitrates when converting.
Total budget under $500.
The question: I want a better listening experience, at least with headphones on my PC. What's the best I can do from both sources without an amp? If I will really need an amp, what's small, portable, and battery-powered, and will work from headphone outs - I have no line outs. If I go to the expense of an amp, I want to be able to benefit my portable mp3 player experience too, even if I have to re-rip at higher rates.
Yes, I do have a real stereo system at home, but it's not where I do most of my listening. And it's fairly low-end, at a total of about $3k for tuner/amp, cd player, and 2.1 speakers. Old system.
The best component list I have been able to put together myself of the AKG K701s and an Emmeline the Tomohawk headphone amp, but I can't tell if the Tomohawk will work well without a line out.
I live on Long Island, NY - is there anywhere where I could try these things in a showroom?
Thanks.