Hello! Newbie here! Please go easy on me, haha. I recently got into the hobby. I first started getting into headphones because I moved into an apartment, and needed to play guitar quietly through my Line 6 Helix. I worked remotely for the longest time, but I recently started working on site, so all the more reason to listen to music through headphones. Anyways, long story short, I ended up with a set of Beyerdynamic DT 770 32 ohm, Audio Techinca ATH M50X, and Sennheiser HD620S. I’m looking into a set of Sennheiser HD550, but I don’t have those yet. I do think that’s important to mention because none of my headphones are particularly hard to drive.
Anyway, 80-85% of the listening I do, I do at work. The rest, I do at home. At work, I plug into whatever the work computer is and its soundcard. At home, I plug into a MacBook Air or into a Mac Studio. I’ve never A/B’d the work computer to my home computers, but both my home computers sound slightly different. I wouldn’t dare say night and day… except on the Sennheisers which sound way louder on the Mac Studio. I know about the impedance detection thing on newer Macs, so that explains it.
Anyway, I suppose what makes my thread unique to warrant opening a new topic is I want a device that can homogenize my listening experience between home and work. I’ve never been particularly bothered by the sound quality at work, but the grass is always greener kinda deal, right? Plus it would be cool if I could have something that I can rely on if I ever decide to get some harder to drive higher-end headphones.
I suppose what I want is something budget-concious (I am a newbie after all) that I can plug directly at work, but that I can use at home as well if I ever decide to get some higher-end headphones. That means something that is plug-and-play without having to install drivers or stuff like that for work. I suppose I can spare an actual wall wart there, but it would be nicer if I can just power the device via the same USB(A) connection. So I was looking at the iFi Uno or something along that price range… but I also don’t want the sound qualitiy to be worse than what I’m used to either. Not sure it will, but I’m just saying if it’s not going to be an improvement, it would be cool if you guys could just say it isn’t going to be.
Again, I’m completely new to this, so it would be cool if you guys could give me some pointers on things I might be missing.
Thank you! 
1 Like
You might want to take a hard look at something like the Questyle M15i or even the basso DC Elite. They are tiny yet sound much like the mid-fi gear commonly discussed when questions like yours come up.
4 Likes
Regarding the HD550, I’d personally move up to the next headphone tier rather than buy yet another model in the same quality class. Sidegrade sidegrade sidegrade. I use my OG Focal Clear (currently $790) for something close to your scenario, as they are easy to drive with anything and sound about as good as I can expect when working near others. They’ll sound better than your current fleet from any source.
I have a ZenDAC V1 in my office (it was $130 back in the day, while V3 is $230). It’s plug-and-play, sounds “fine,” and would easily drive your headphones. There are dozens of options and more coming out all the time. If sticking to the ifi Uno ($79) price bracket, most products will be superior to laptop/tablet output but none will be optimal for quality or demanding headphones. I haven’t bought anything in that price range for 5+ years myself.
6 Likes
Thank you. Will take a look.
1 Like
I’ll take a look at the Focals, thanks. I guess it’s worth taking a look at something that has a planar driver to break away from what I currently have too.
1 Like
Yes, that’s good for learning. The Clear – and most Focals – are dynamic driver headphones.
Planars…I have strong feelings about HiFiMan durability and I don’t recommend them. I like Dan Clark Audio and the higher end Audeze models.
3 Likes
I think something like the Questyle m15i or Fiio KA17 (has EQ) could be good options since you’ll want something somewhat portable. I also recommend the Schiit products in general for source gear that punches above its weight in terms of price.
2 Likes
Thank you! I’ve been reading the Magni stuff is great, but it’s not that easy to get ahold of here in Canada, sadly.
I’ll look into the other one as well.
1 Like
Ah, yeah, those Fiios seem interesting. I’ll take a look into those. Thanks!
Thought I’d report back! I found a deal locally for an iFi Zen Air, and I’m digging it so far! I still kinda want another device either to leave at work or to have home, though. So still looking at the Uno or maybe a Schiit Fulla if I can find one. Maybe a dongle? The options are a bit overwhelming, honestly.
And about open back headphones… You’re still absolutely. I still need a pair. I already have some decent (I think?) closed backs. I’ll keep an eye out on deal. Sennheiser stuff is discounted right now, but not the 550 or the 505, which are the ones I’m interested in right now.
1 Like
I’m happy that you are happy. Beware of the sidegrade path. Some of us end up buying a dozen things with similar performance, and then dump them in a box or sell them on EBay.
I have a spreadsheet listing all my major audio gear, and half has been unused for several years. You’ll use your best stuff.
1 Like