An amplifier takes an incoming signal and makes it louder. That's it. It sounds like you needed one, since your headphone was too quiet at your PC's max volume output.

Every single digital audio device on earth (including laptops, PCs, DAPs, iPods, phones) contains a DAC. Otherwise music would sound like this: "11000110010100101010100100001100101"

So the question is only whether a fancy external DAC would sound better than the DAC in your given device.

In my opinion, unless there is audible distortion coming from the device due to a lack of EM shielding or something, the answer is invariably "no."

But opinions on this vary.

I got into this game about a year ago. Boy it's been a journey. Let me list out my stuff. Dac/amp RME adi-2 pro, dac, Burson Audio Conductor and Soloist, Monolith THX 789 Headphones Audeze Lcd-2c, lcd-X, lcd-2 Closed, Focal Clear MG, Stellia, Meze Audio Liric, and Sennheiser hd 820, 800s

I def posted there too, thank you.

I wanted to post in both places for exposure to both communities and hope I can get a good spread of recommendations as my point of argument and requests are pretty specific.

But they sounded perfect through the LG monitor. Do most people use DACs? Does anyone plug directly into the motherboard?

That's a tough one to answer, as audio is very subjective and everyone places different levels of value on items and experiences. I'll try to explain the best I can though.

Arya Stealth already sounds phenomenal, and so do the majority of headphones >$500. When you start getting into high-end audio, diminishing returns are very real. I wouldn't be able to say that Susvara sounds as much better than Arya as going from HE400 to Arya, because once you reach a certain level of sound quality, it becomes more about detail and flavor, so to speak.

The detail and sound quality are phenomenal, and is absolutely the best I have ever heard from headphones. However, if I were solely chasing better sound quality, I would've stopped at HE6se or LCD-X and called it a day. With music being so subjective and such an emotional experience, I find the Susvara to be worth it for me. I also made sure to get them at a discounted price which will ensure minimal loss if I ever decided to sell.

They're worth it to me because the improvement of little nuances in sound are the difference between thinking "this sounds really good," and "I feel this like never before, this is incredible." When you experience detail brought out in music in such a way that sounds so natural, smooth, and enjoyable, it really does make a difference. For me anyways.

If I had to put a number on it, which I don't even know how to accurately do so, I'd say from 0-100, LCD-X and Arya are an 80, with Susvara being a 90. I say 90 because I don't know whether or not there's a more enjoyable headphone that I don't know about, so I can't be certain.

Once you reach summit-fi levels of audio, it really just becomes more about finding a sound you like that reproduces music in the best way possible for your ears. It's a completely unnecessary, and honestly ridiculous amount of money to spend on headphones, but it is what it is. There are more destructive hobbies and habits for sure.

Having heard many headphones ranging from free to now $6k, I can say with a fair bit of confidence that the peak before highly diminishing returns is at around the $1k price point. So think LCD-X, Arya Stealth (on sale), Focal Clear OG, etc. Those get you top shelf sound without reaching the point of ridiculousness.

Tl;dr: They sound better, but it's hard to say "how much." To me, it's considerably more enjoyable, but to others, maybe not. Sorry for such a long response.

Thanks for the response

I am not familiar with that brand but I can't imagine it'll help make your headphones sound better.

first i'll answer your question: a DAC is basically a soundcard that connects (usually) via USB to your computer. They can improve sound quality over the internal DAC on your motherboard, because they are purpose-build and has way less interference than internal components do. A DAC converts a digital signal to an analoge signal.

most DACs also have an amplifier section, so they are sometimes also called a DAC/amp.

an amplifier will amplify an analoge signal. The headphone output from your pc can be too low for your headphones, and in that case you could plug an amplifier into the line out, and connect your headphones to the amplifier.

I would go with a DAC/amp in your usecase, because the dt770 don't require a lot of power, but a DAC/amp will improve the sound quality and will have more power than the onboard audio.

The reason I said I believe the amp you bought won't make it sound better is because it seems to be build for a different usecase (to split 1 signal into 4), and so you're paying for components that have no real use for you, but it'salmost too cheap for what it should do.

Although not as cheap, I would recommend you check out some of iFi, Schiit, FiiO or Topping's dac/amps. Their cheaper ones usually range between $70 and $150.

The input is a TRS but you bought a pretty niche looking product really. Can you still cancel it? If not return it.

Better buy this for same price https://www.amazon.com/Douk-Audio-Headphone-Amplifier-Desktop/dp/B08C2MKBGN/

all you need is a 3.5mm to RCA cable which you can find easily. Next step up would be something like a Fiio E10k but it's near double price at $75. And again next up is schiit modi/magni or jds atom/atom dac both around $200, but can also find them used of course.

It cannot be that hard to read my question. I ALREADY GOT AN AMP. Do I need more than the amp or can I just plug it into my pc like that? That's the thing I cannot find an answer for on google

r/headphoneadvice

...

This EXACT question (what amp do i get for the dt 770) gets asked on here every single day.

GOOGLE!

It cannot be that hard...

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I don't know. At that point, the differences are so subtle that I find it very hard to justify owning two (or more) of such an expensive headphone. Just my 2 cents.

Owning such an expensive pair of Headphones, how much better do the susvaras sound compared to the already expensive Aryas?

I think I might have lucked out with the DAC included in the LG monitor. It sounded perfect. Looking into cheap DACs now.

I’ll have to look to see if I have one of those dongles. I doubt it’s the headphones but it would good to rule them out as the culprit.

Thanks for taking the time to make those recommendations.

Solid advice. Thanks.

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Bought my last pair of headphones (HD 58X) like 4 years ago. They sound really good and don't require anything better to drive them than my cheap audio interface.

Because of the really good value you get from buying Sennheisers on Drop, I feel like I'd need to spend a ton of money to get a big upgrade in audio quality. Maybe if I have a money to burn one day I'll get a really expensive ($1000+) pair of headphones and a proper dac/amp to drive them, but I'm honestly content with my current setup. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I'm considering buying LCD-5 right now. It's that or Susvara. But I know the Sus will take me deeper and deeper.

You'll never be a master audiophile until you ziptie/strap the (desktop)amp, dac, and device(maybe battery for amp and dac) on your headphones a true all in one setup cause I hate wireless and long wires

Makes for great neck exercise without having to buy audezes /s

EQ will alter the phase response of a headphone, therefore affecting the imaging negatively.

I have a bunch of cans that are "above" these and many that are equal. Still want to try them.

I’ve stopped since this ^^