Hi
I've just bought a DT 990 80ohm and after plugging it to my Mac mini M1, it sounds ok but at maximum volume bar, it does not sound as loud as my XM4.
So if I purchase a headphone amp to use with it, would it improve the headphone output a lot? Would it sound any louder, or even better?
What is your recommendation for a not expensive headphone amp? I'm looking to spend a max of $100.
Cheers
FIIO E10K?
Around 110 but if you wait for a deal may get it close to 100
this is well regarded, likely under your budget… have used its R3 DAP and Shanling rivals, all v.good sounding and better than macbook pro anyday
https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-fc3
Back when I was into headphones, the O2 was the de facto standard best value amp. The hype around it seems to have died a bit, but it still stands out as a pretty good quality / value product IMO.
I've heard good things about tri-path based amps, eg:
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/sedentary-headphone-amplifier…
https://www.decibelhifi.com.au/lepai-lp-2020ti-mini-amplifie…
Got one of these and it works well enough for the $$$.
Should to the job for you also. Sounds as if you're not looking for anything super special so as an everyday allrounder…
https://drop.com/buy/fx-audio-dac-x6-mkii-bluetooth-dac-amp
Currently no stock, but once you create an account, you can click request and you will get an email when back on offer.
From memory - about $60USD… I think it was.
Either way, there is plenty of other reasonable units on Drop if you don't want to wait.
Repost: added wrong link (referral), above is just the product URL. My mistake!
If you do want a referral discount, just PM me. Otherwise, try to source from Amazon.
As a guess, you should get around 600-700mW out of it at 80ohm which should be plenty for a reasonable and clear listening experience.
If you don't need/want the BT version, there is others FX Audio offer without BT.
http://www.szfxaudio.com/en