Hello everyone,

I'm starting to explore the wonderful audiophile world. I'm soon going to purchase Grado SR325is headphones powered by a NuForce Icon HDP DAC, as well as a Fiio L3 line out dock for my iPod. In the meantime, I have a CMoy amp with a 3.5mm in and out and two pairs of headphones: AKG K240 and Sennheiser HD 25-1 II.

My question for you: Until I purchase the higher quality headphones and accessories, how do I know what the optimal level is to set the source (that feeds into the CMoy amp) at? Or does it matter?

Why I'm wondering: If the source volume of the iPod is too high, then I'm relying on an inferior (iPod) amp for a portion of the sound. Conversely, if the iPod volume is too low, then the CMoy amp doesn't have enough to work with to amplify. Haha, I could be completely off; my understanding of headphone amps is currently basic (and only partially informed).

I look forward to the day when my ears and knowledge of electronics can answer this question!

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