do grado sr325es headphones really need an doc/headphone amp??

[ontheline]

I have grado sr325es headphones and i use them with my ipad mini 4. I feel the sound is great, i have read on whathifi that these headphones should be connected to a dac/amp like audiolab m dac for best sound quality. I managed to test the mdac with my headhones and wasn't able to hear any difference, maybe the dac that is built into the mini is sufficient enough to get the best sound from the grado headphones without the use of the mdac? the grado's sr325es are known for there amazing detailed sound, surely headphones as good as this don't need help from a dac to sound better, these are already 5 star headphones. an opinions on this? thanks

 

[pauln]

I have grado sr325es headphones and i use them with my ipad mini 4. I feel the sound is great, i have read on whathifi that these headphones should be connected to a dac/amp like audiolab m dac for best sound quality. I managed to test the mdac with my headhones and wasn't able to hear any difference, maybe the dac that is built into the mini is sufficient enough to get the best sound from the grado headphones without the use of the mdac? the grado's sr325es are known for there amazing detailed sound, surely headphones as good as this don't need help from a dac to sound better, these are already 5 star headphones. an opinions on this? thanks

If you can't hear any difference... the answer must be no.

They are easy to drive so shouldn't need amping; as for a DAC, opinion varies as to whether a $1000 audiophile DAC is any better than the $2 version in your ipad. Some listening tests done on a computer website (Tom's Hardware??) showed people could not tell them apart. Just like you couldn't. Others will say that's nonsense and you must therefore have something wrong with your hearing.

 

[ID.]

If you're happy, then its good. Personally I think my P7s sound better on my iPod and iPhones than any of my headphone amp/DACs.

 

[dalethorn]

I had the 325e, and currently I have the PS1000e. They both sound excellent, but compared to many other headphones, these Grados live on the brighter end of the scale. If they ever sound bright or rough on your music, you could get a mellower sound with a valve(tube) amp.

 

[Rimse]

in my experience grado sounds best mated with separate dac,valve preamp and ss power amp which have heaphone out. Such combination brings sounds to other level,very musical and real.I have also beyerdynamic a1 heaphone amp.Sounds very good too,a bit more emphasis on highs