Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[robertisonline]

I have a friend who has a pair of Westone w2 earbuds. I don't know anything about that brand, I am pretty loyal to Grado, but if anyone has any familiarity with that brand and/or model and would like to comment, please do. I also don't know how beneficial a headphone amplifier would be to earbuds in general, but I would like to get him one for Christmas if it would make a noticeable difference. Please comment!

[blgentry]

A DAC might make a bigger difference than an amp as those IEMs should be really easy to drive.

Something like the Schiit Modi 2 and Magni 2 would be a really nice little stack of DAC and amp, and clocks in at just under $200 for the pair.  I own these myself and I think the sound is shockingly good for the price.

You could go for an integrated DAC/Amp also.  Fiio makes several that I read good things about all the time.  Schiit also makes an integrated piece called the Fulla, which I think is $79.  There are lots more at different price points.

Brian.

[DarkPenguin]

Generally not that beneficial. 

A couple JDS Labs suggestions.

Ultra clean and not that expensive headphone amp...

https://www.jdslabs.com/products/35/objective2-headphone-amplifier/

Amp + DAC ...

https://www.jdslabs.com/products/151/the-element/