Best Amp Dac For DT 770 Pro: Lucky 7 Options and More

Finding a good headphone is a tough job already. And the journey doesn’t end there.

When you’re into high-impedance headphones you’re inviting an equally baffling job of finding good DAC amps for it.

I’ve been through it and I understand the pain. Looking at the various reviews out there can be…confusing. The story was the same when it came to finding the best DAC amp for Beyerdynamic DT 770 pro.

I’ve gone through all the clutter and I’ve made a list of 5 DAC AMPs and 2 only amps. 

Here I will provide you with a thorough discussion to help you find the most suitable one for yourself!

Top DACs and Amps for DT 770 Pro

Finding suitable Amp Dac isn’t an easy task. It requires weeks of research and lots of scouring the internet. 

Here is a Tweet expressing the same feeling as many other users- 

So since I'm basically in seclusion I decided to invest in something to help my sanity and MAN!!….I'm in HEAVEN!

Amazing what a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 Ohm headphones along with a new DAC/Amp, free EQ software, a Tidal Premium (3 mths for $1.99!)…..and (1/4)

— 🇺🇦🇨🇦CanadaResists🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@Rob16921) March 24, 2020

But this doesn’t mean you ditch the whole experience whatsoever. The experience is too good to snub. Therefore, I tried to come in for your assistance.

The very first product on our list is the Qudelix-5K Bluetooth USB DAC AMP. As the name suggests this product has both Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It works fine with iPhone as well. 

Also, the Bluetooth range is also quite good. Therefore this has versatility among hobbyists. And they certainly do love it. Not only for this reason but for the other features as well. 

I would like to crown this product as the best overall dac/amp for dt 770 pro. But why so? 

Well, I have a detailed answer to that question. 

First of all, this product is capable of capturing serious and detailed sounds. This ability to capture the intricate details of the sound is something most audiophiles look for. If you’re one of them, bingo! Give it a try. 

Next up, it has a USB-C port which is a dual-function port. You can utilize it as an interface for USB-to-analog audio dongle, or both. Moreover, it has a balanced audio output. This is certainly something that every hobbyist wishes for. 

Also, its optimum audio setting and good performance, make it a user’s favorite. Besides, it has longer battery life. Definitely, something everyone wishes to have. 

But nothing comes without some issues, which is a natural thing. This product is no different. It has some minor bugs here and there. Not every product has this problem, but some of them have this issue. 

And it eventually creates privacy issues. Better quality control and engineering can make this product better one. 

Apart from that, a lot of people have complained about its buttons. Even after using it for weeks people mixed up the buttons.

I was basically preparing the FiiO BTR5 for this position. But FiiO announced the BTR7 suddenly and by the first impressions, I decided to hold a bit. 

So, before the release of BTR7, the BTR5 and Qudelix 5k were having a head-to-head fight in the Bluetooth dongle arena. 

But suddenly the BTR7 came in and changed the scenario. 

Now, you might have a natural question. Why is the latest BTR7 in the second position?

Well, the mystery lies in the price number. You see, the BTR7 is almost $100 more than both the Qudelix 5k and BTR5. 

But considering the price increase, I didn’t see an increase in features or user experience. Even the FiiO app isn’t that good compared to the Qudelix app. 

But that doesn’t mean that the BTR7 is a bad product. It’s an amazing device and anyone would buy it on a whim if he/she doesn’t have the Qudelix 5k or BTR5. It’s one of the best dac/amp combo for dt 770 pro.

If you’re buying a BT DAC/amp for the first time and if you have the budget, then you could definitely try this. Heck, you’d be safe for the next 2-3 years even. Because the FiiO has outstanding support along with sturdy build quality. 

So, what does the FiiO BTR7 actually bring to the table?

It comes with double ESS ES9219C DACs. These help in effectively lowering channel crosstalk which along with the THX AAA amps produce a balanced audio experience. 

Overall the situation gets like this – 

Single end Output Power =  2 times the direct output of the DAC + 30% more balanced output.

And the Qualcomm QCC5124 Bluetooth chip only makes the whole package even better. 

Moreover, our champ here is the first BT DAC/Amp that has wireless charging options. And interestingly, it comes with the 4.4 mm output that the Qudelix 5k lacks. 

Lastly, this has an In-vehicle mode that understands if your car is off. So, while enabled, it’ll work only when the car is on.

Now, the third pick on our list is the Fiio E10K USB Dac and Headphone Amp. If you are using DT 770 Pro (80 ohms) then the FiiO E10K  amp is the best choice for you. However, it will also work well with 32 ohms and 250 ohms.

First of all, it has a smooth aluminum brushed shell. This helps the device to become durable and easily portable. It is a very lightweight, compact, and tough-built build device, just like our first pick. 

Also, it ensures a low noise floor in all states. That too, with the help of an optimized low-pass filter with a bass boost circuit. The lower noise floor adds purity and clarity to your musical experience. 

The internal DAC chip is designed to PCM files up to 24-bit/96 kHz. It is also a PCM5102. The DAC chip helps in boosting sound quality with a linear filter. It also improves linearity and reduces delays.

The DAC chip makes sure to reduce silent intervals while changing tracks and minimizes phase shift. These features help you to get the best and hassle-free music experience. 

The device connects to your PC with a micro USB connection. It also powers the DAC amplifier. The USB type C connector provides increased compatibility to your device. 

It is also easier to connect to other pieces of equipment. You can enjoy your journey with the perfect-sized amp for different subs. 

Lastly, it provides a brand new amplification stage. Here, buffer design is used to offer greater responsiveness and driving energy.

The third item on our list is the FiiO K3 DAC Headphone Amp. It is a very lightweight and small device just like the previous product. 

The users of DT 770  Pro (250 ohms) will get the best performance from the FiiO K3 headphone amp. In fact, this is one of the best amp for beyerdynamic dt 770 pro 250 ohm.

FiiO claims to boost the sound quality of your computer very easily. It can decode up to 384kHz/32-bit PCM. Most of the DACs can do it, but at a higher cost than K3 Dac. 

The K3 has dual crystal oscillators. Here, it ensures the correctness of the digital audio signals. Generally, it makes sure the correct signals are sent to the DAC for better sound quality. 

Furthermore, the internal design consists of digital processing and analog signal handling. The digital processing is performed by 32-bit velvet sound technology, AKM AK4452, and differential outputs. 

Also, the analog signals are amplified by the current drive circuit and voltage amplification. Moreover, it ensures highly resolving sound for you by getting out 320 mW at 16 ohms. K3 mainly gets it from the balanced output. 

It has two modes and can easily switch between them for a better experience. You can use it with a large variety of headphones. 

Here, the hardware bass boost switch improves the lower frequencies. It makes your songs and games feel real. Also, ADC volume control minimizes channel imbalance. 

Lastly, the USB power makes it reliable and safe. It ensures the stability of power. 

However, at the end of the day, this is a desktop dac. 

So, if you want something similar but more portable then you could check out the Fiio KA3 dongle dac. It can drive up to 300 ohm headphones without breaking a sweat. You can also look for KA3 deals in Aliexpress.

Just like all the other products on our list, this one is also very decent in performance. It has good audio resolution quality which is certainly a plus point. 

For hobbyist audiophiles, it’s certainly a good pick. It comes with a Lithium Polymer battery that it needs to function properly. The service that it provides for the price is pretty awesome. 

The analog volume knob is another attraction of this product. Almost every user mentioned to love this part. It makes the control extremely easier and handy. Certainly, that’s another plus point. 

The tuning and the quality are quite topnotch and not even exaggerating, just on point. Just to add some last words, this product has a remarkable bass boost.

Apart from the issue with its imbalance on both the output, this product is pretty amazing. Obviously there are better products, like our first pick that provides you even better service.

But considering the price and everything, this product is worth a try. 

P.S. This is only a DAC. If your budget allows, you can complete the stack with ifi zen can. Or you can take our next product which is an amp.

The fourth pick from our list is the Schiit Magni 3+. In general, it is known as a better choice for 32 ohms. But, the Magni 3+ is best for the DT 770 Pro 250 ohm. Unlike our first three products, this one is a bit heavy. 

Besides, if you are using HIFIMAN HE400SE then you’ll also get amazing performance using this amp.

It is heavier to carry than our above Dac Amps. This makes it less portable than our other three DAC amps. 

It provides low distortion for enhanced sound quality. Also, Schiit Magni 3+ offers good power reserves and switchable gain. That too, with a lower noise floor than any other amplifier. 

Schiit Magni 3+ works at a full  2400 mW into 32 ohms. It boasts great power and high performance. 

However, it offers preamp outputs. You can easily connect them to your powered monitors to have a complete system. Also, you can use it as a preamp by connecting it to a speaker power amp. 

It is completely free of glitches and pops. It is a feature that the FiiO K3 did not have. Thanks to the built-in time delay start-up and instant shutdown. 

P.S. This is only an amp. If you want distortion free audio experience then pair this up with the Schiit Modius or any dongles like Abigail.

Finally, the last item on our list is the Mjolnir Balanced Headphone Amplifier.

If you own a 32 ohm DT 770 pro (32 ohms) then you are in luck. The Mjolnir balanced amp is perfect for 32 and 45 ohms. 

Aside from DT 770 pro, it will work great on Hifiman HE-560 (45 ohms) and Oppo PM-1.

It weighs 5.9 kg, which makes it heavier to carry and less portable. It is quite a big headphone amplifier. 

Here, the casing is made of solid aluminum. A volume control knob and three XLR sockets are located on the front. The other two can be utilized if you have balanced cans. 

That too, with each channel terminated separately with 3-pin XLR connections. 

Because this is a 100 percent balanced device, there is no jack socket. Also, the Mjolnir Balanced Headphone Amplifier requires more power than our above amplifiers. 

Moreover, it can be used as a preamplifier, with the help of balanced stereo output. Now, with a variable level on XLR sockets, it can work properly. 

The Mjolnir Balanced Headphone Amplifier is a high-performance and level sound reproduction device. Not only will it enhance your sound quality, but also bring it to life. 

P.S. This is only an amp. If you want distortion free audio experience then pair this up with the Schiit Modius or any dongles like Avani.

How to Choose the Best Headphone DAC Amp?

Well, choosing the best headphone DAC amp is pretty hard. Even to us it was hard when I was shortlisting great dac amps for hd6xx.

For those who are new to this, it seems like a big challenge for them. They tend to go with the flow and get an expensive one. This is why they get disappointed afterward.

So, to choose the best headphone DAC amp, look at its impedance. If it has a high impedance, it will sound better. And, the amplifier will make it soothing to your ears. 

Also, it will sound right at different frequencies. Also, look into the efficiency. It is a measure of how many decibels the headphones will output per milliwatt or millivolts. 

The optimum number is 110 decibels, which is about 10 lower than the threshold of pain. Moreover, check how many milliwatts it can put into a certain number of ohms. 

Lastly, you have to see the output impedance of amplifiers. Your amplifier’s impedance should be 8 times lower than your headphone’s impedance.

Is an External DAC Necessary for You?

Well, computers already have a DAC built-in. However, while making PC’s, manufacturers only can focus on really necessary parts. So, sometimes, laptops or computers end up with cheap DACs. 

The thing is –

Cheap DACs can pick up background electrical noise from your PC.

Because of that you may experience hissing, static, and crackling sounds through your headphones. 

So, if you experience these kinds of symptoms, then you may need an external DAC. 

And with the recent Macs you might not even need amps anymore. The M1 pro Macbook Pro comes with high impedance headphone jacks. And now even the M2 air has these ports. 

So, picking external dongle dacs might just do the job for you. Here are a few that you can try out –

• The Abigail has natural density, good texture, and great coherence. However, try to use this with the 32 ohm and 80 ohm versions only. 
• The Avani provides super clean background and zero floor noises. Unofficially the amazon xumee and this DAC are the same. Another version is the Amazon Zooaux. So, you can try out whichever you want. 
• And finally you can look up the Xduoo Link 2 Bal. It has polished dynamics and great transparency. Even though this needs some depper pockets, it’s worth the money. Moreover, you can fetch this from aliexpress and even from linsoul. 

Long story short, if you want the best musical experience, you can have an external DAC. It’s a matter of preference only. But be careful in choosing what chips your DACs have as there are differences between ESS and AKM that can make it or break it for you.

FAQs

Which One Is Better Between 80 and 32 Ohms?

The 32 ohms is better than the 80 ohms. Both have similar sound signatures, soundstage, and speed. However, the 32-ohm one is nearer to the 250-ohm version. They’re a tad brighter than the 80-ohm. Also, it is less bass-centric than the 80-ohm versions. This also helps with clearer music. 

Do Higher Ohm Sound Better Than Lower Ohm Headphones?

Yes, higher ohm headphones sound better than lower ohm ones. Here, the higher-impedance coils have more winding. The increased winding results in an improved motor system. A motor system that has fewer compromises. All of these lead to a better overall sound and improved bass reproduction.

Is Balanced Amplifier Better than Single-Ended?

In comparison to the single-ended output, the balanced one is better. It will provide greater power and control over the headphones. A truly balanced amplifier will have a balanced signal from input to output. Opamp splitters are frequently used to convert single-ended to balanced input and output.

Endnote 

Finally, I have arrived at the end of our discussion. Here I have discussed the 5 best amp DAC for DT770 pro. 

Now you know the pros and cons of each DAC amplifier on our list. I hope that you choose the most suitable amp DAC for your device. 

Good luck!