Portable AMP for ATH-M50

[madman587587]

Hey I just got a pair of ATH-M50 full sized cans and was wondering if they will preform better with an AMP.

I would prefer to have an AMP with a 1/4" jack (6.35mm) and it's not completely needed but if it could be used as a sound card with the computer that would be a bonus.

I use them with my Cowon S9 and my budget is $150 ($200 max)


Specs for headphones:
Model number: ATH-M50
Weight: 284g
Impedance: 38ohms
Sensitivity: 99dB
Power Handling: 1600mW
Open/Closed: Closed
Transducer type: Dynamic
Ear Coupling: Circumaural
Frequency response: 15 - 28,000Hz
Cable length: 3m, coiled

Thanks in advance

[CrowdAds]

[dfkt]

There really aren't many portable, battery-powered amps available that have a 6.3mm jack. For a quality portable amp that also doubles as an USB sound card, check the Corda 3Move, Practical Devices XM5, or the iBasso D4. For cheaper, but less portable, there's the FiiO E7. The M50 should be easy enough to drive for any of those amps - not sure if it makes a lot of difference with the S9, but it might improve dynamics.

[madman587587]

I justed ended up purchasing the Practical Devices XM5, I did some of my own research.

I know its very overkill for the headphones I have and i'll only be using like 1/100 of the true power of the amp :P
But if I want to expand into different headphones this amp should cover them

The amp I got has had a few things done to it and also comes with a gold plated interconnect

[The DarkSide]

I have the ATH-M50's (actually just sold them) and they sure as hell DON'T need an amp. You might get a slightly fuller sound, but an amp is overkill IMO - they're loud as H-E-L-L without an amp, with,............BOOM!!!

[Adub]

I've read lots on the M50 and you deffinitely don't need an amp, but i will try em out with my cmoy and E5 when i get the M50 come in the mail.

[TheEAR]

ATH-M50's are loud enough used with most DAP's for all save for those who want to go deaf younger. Of course SQ will improve with a quality headphone amp, as any DAP amp on a chip cannot match a quality portable amp(in all around linearity and output)but is the gain large enough?

I tried my Emmeline SR-71A with all over the ear and it is one sweet unit. For headphones using a quarter inch jack you buy a quality 1/8" to 1/4 flex adapter.

[madman587587]

I ended up getting a Practical Devices XM5 with custom chips.

@TheEAR
I'm not looking to make them louder, just get the most out of them

@Adub
neopac over at the Head-Fi forums has a pair of M50's and he believes an AMP does do benefit, quote "lows are better defined and controlled".
I'm not looking to boost the sound, just want the most out of my cans

@dfkt
Thanks bro, I ended up with Practical Devices XM5, got it off a guy in my country, was decked out with custom chips and was barly used.

Link of eBay item i got, if anyone is interested

[dfkt]

Good choice, everybody seems to love the XM5. It's quite the versatile toy, and it's reasonably priced for what it is. If you end up not using it on the go, you sure at least have a decent sound card in it.

After my Arrow 12HE the XM5 sure is one of the most interesting amps out there, for my taste... it's not yet another one of the usual overpriced CMOYs that don't do a lot - that are sold and hyped with a large amount of big, empty words.

BTW, are you the one that asked about opamps on Headfi, the one I suggested the LME49710?

[TyRanT-22]

My ATH-M50 will be arriving soon! I was thinking about getting the iBasso T3 but it seems like it would be overkill. I already own the Fiio e5, i suppose that would be enough.