KVR Audio

Creature Lurkin · Post by **Creature Lurkin** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:00 pm

So i'm going to be picking up a pair of the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones because i'm getting noise complaints at my apartment and need a quality pair of headphone to make music with without the cops constantly showing up.

I've never owned a pair of high impedance headphones and need some serious help trying to get them working correctly with my system. I have a Steinberg UR242 audio interface, but from what I’ve been reading, that things not gonna cut it for a 300ohm impedance set of cans. What’s a good affordable way to get the power and sound quality needed out of these things?

Are there good amps that will plug into the headphone jack of the Steinberg UR242, then the HD 6XX’s plug into the amp? Or am I missing the mark here on how that’s supposed to go down? It sounds like maybe I need a USB DAC to plug into my computer, then an amp that will plugs into the DAC… Also, from what I hear there’s combo unites that are a DAC & Amp in one unit that will plug into my computer via USB that will take care of the issue.

Part of me things there’s gonna be audio interfaces that I can have my studio monitors plugged into, and that also have the power to push a good set of high impedance headphones…. But I would image those are super expensive.

I could use a breakdown on what choices\options I have, and also some recommendations on the hardware to get it going. Something that won’t break the bank would be nice, but I’m also looking to have a quality solution.

Steve Bolivar · Post by **Steve Bolivar** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:21 pm

You should stick with your UR242 interface. USB DACs are unlikely to have decent ASIO drivers and would be more trouble than they're worth. It's possible the benefits of high impedance headphones aren't as big as you think they are.
The UR242 has two headphone outputs. Maybe get two, one open and one closed back to give you a wider range of listening options. Try a plugin like ToneBoosters Morphit, search it in the KVR Effects forum.
https://www.toneboosters.com/tb_morphit_v1.html
Good luck.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:31 pm

Creature Lurkin wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:00 pm I have a Steinberg UR242 audio interface, but from what I’ve been reading, that things not gonna cut it for a 300ohm impedance set of cans.

Why is that?

Creature Lurkin · Post by **Creature Lurkin** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:38 pm

Steve Bolivar wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:21 pm You should stick with your UR242 interface. USB DACs are unlikely to have decent ASIO drivers and would be more trouble than they're worth. It's possible the benefits of high impedance headphones aren't as big as you think they are.
The UR242 has two headphone outputs. Maybe get two, one open and one closed back to give you a wider range of listening options. Try a plugin like ToneBoosters Morphit, search it in the KVR Effects forum.
https://www.toneboosters.com/tb_morphit_v1.html
Good luck.

I don't want the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones because they are high impedance, i want them because I really like the sound of them and the fit. If they came in lower impedance versions i'd totally buy that instead. I do own some closed back headphones and also have tb_morphit, i also own some open back Beyerdynamic headphones but they aren't listed in the tb_morphit.

But yeah, i was kinda worried how my DAW would react to a USB DAC... i don't know much about them.

Creature Lurkin · Post by **Creature Lurkin** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:44 pm

chk071 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:31 pm
Creature Lurkin wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:00 pm I have a Steinberg UR242 audio interface, but from what I’ve been reading, that things not gonna cut it for a 300ohm impedance set of cans.
Why is that?

I'm not really sure, i guess from what also I've been reading is that when the 650's came out like 15 years ago or so audio interfaces were far less powerful which made all the end users need amps to push them properly.... the so called "need for one" may be just one of those internet rollover group echo's regurgitating outdated information. But maybe now with my modern audio interfaces i'd be okay?

I posted in the Steinberg forum under the UR series hardware section trying to get more answers on if my AU's headphone jack will by sufficient enough power wise for the headphone I want to get, but no responses yet.

Steve Bolivar · Post by **Steve Bolivar** » Wed Apr 22, 2020 2:18 pm

I get it. Maybe try a headphone amp and connect that to your UR242's line outs. That way you keep the UR242 and don't have to me with any USB DACs.
Just check the specs that the one you choose can handle the Massdrops.
https://www.sweetwater.com/c413--Headph ... stribution

Creature Lurkin · Post by **Creature Lurkin** » Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:18 pm

Steve Bolivar wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2020 2:18 pm I get it. Maybe try a headphone amp and connect that to your UR242's line outs. That way you keep the UR242 and don't have to me with any USB DACs.
Just check the specs that the one you choose can handle the Massdrops.
https://www.sweetwater.com/c413--Headph ... stribution

the issue i'm running into is my UR242 Audio interface only has one set of outs.... so i think i might need a better audio interface if i'm gonna be connecting a amp to being with becaue the pain of switching back\forward between studio monitors and headphone amp would drive me crazy.

So if i'm gonna end up buying a new audio interface.... what's a decent priced one that comes with a headphone jack that will push all these fancy high impedance headphones? I keep seeing these adds for a audio interface called MOTU M2 that claimes "ESS converters also drive the headphone output, which rivals dedicated headphone amplifiers costing hundreds". Don't know much about the company of interface, not sure if that's a good option.

Steve Bolivar · Post by **Steve Bolivar** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 5:29 am

In the past I had a MOTU 24io pci interface and it was solid for many years. No driver issues. They've been making USB interfaces for a long time so I would think they know what they're doing. Here's a link to a forum I found that discussed it some, starts about 1/4 of way down. Someone even posted a reply from MOTU tech support about high impedance headphones.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru ... 005/page-6

Creature Lurkin · Post by **Creature Lurkin** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 4:13 pm

Steve Bolivar wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2020 5:29 am In the past I had a MOTU 24io pci interface and it was solid for many years. No driver issues. They've been making USB interfaces for a long time so I would think they know what they're doing. Here's a link to a forum I found that discussed it some, starts about 1/4 of way down. Someone even posted a reply from MOTU tech support about high impedance headphones.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru ... 005/page-6

Nice, thanks. I'm actually emailing with one of their techs right now getting some questions answered.

Need Help With 1st Pair of High Impedance Headphones