Does anyone use headphone preamp/amps or other to get the best out of using headphones for mixing with the Digitakt?

Elektron Gear Digitakt
#1

I just bought a Digitakt and loving it. But to fully appreciate the experience I’ve bought a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pros (Still in the post)

I’m just wondering if anyone out there has advice about getting the best quality sound out of the Digitakt with headphone as opposed to monitor usage?

Usually, a headphone amp is used in conjunction with headphone of this range, is this necessary for the Digitakt?

Or would it potentially colour the sound in a non neutral way which would take away from what they are supposed to be providing me - an uncoloured, neutral sound stage?

Many thanks!

Recommend some mixing headphones for house/techno with Digitakt/Digitone?
#2

I´ve been wondering the same but for the Heat (which is at the end of my chain) - Will I need an amp If I get the BD 1990 Pros?

#3

I think it depends on the impedance of the headphones and the unit, where the headphone will be plucked in. As a rule of thumb I would say, the higher the impedance of the headphone is, the more power is needed from the unit to make it loud.

Many headphones are below 50 Ohm (low impedance) and designed to be used with smart-phones and pads. Pro headphones are designed to be used with amps, mixing desks, audio interfaces, etc. and can go up to 600 Ohm (or more?). AFAIK Beyerdynamics produces headphones with 32 (low), 250 (high), and 6oo (high) Ohms.

I have used 250-Ohm headphones on my Elektron boxes and the loudness was okay for me. If you have orderd a 600-Ohm headphone, you might need some amplification.

#4

Thanks, I currently have the normal 990s at 250 ohm and they are fine with the Elektrons

#5

The headphones output impedance of the digitakt is 55 ohm . Thats more than powerfull enough to drive most headphones up to ± 450 ohm if i’m not mistaking .

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#6

My headphones don’t need an amp out of the DT. I don’t notice a big difference between headphones and monitors as far as sound is concerned but I’m no mixing / mastering expert or anything. I have read that as long as you mix / master the same way each time and just learn what the output is going to sound like you can adjust. I use headphones for writing but for mixing and such I use the monitors. I still have to go back several times after the “car test” (and after crying and questioning my existence) for adjustments :joy:

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#7

I use beyerdynamic dt pro 990s (250ohms) & I get more than enough volume from the digitakt

#8

Good advice here, thanks all. I’ll report on how they sound sans amp. Regarding that, considering these two:

Schiit Asgard 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFFJh0wpaLg (just out)
https://www.schiit.com/products/asgard-1

Schiit Magni
https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-1

#9

Ok, we know that at least 250 omhs DT 1990s will sound fine volume-wise off the DT and without amp.

What about quality / fidelity-wise? Would an amp help get more mileage from the higher quality phones or vice-versa: would using a DT 1990s straight into DT (or any Elektron box) be an overkill?

#10

That’s definitely an important point :wink:

Don’t know the facts by heart, but if the output/input impedances don’t match or don’t match to a certain degree, the frequency response will be changed. That means that we don’t listen to the true audio of the source anymore.

Maybe this is of more information:

This is also a good reading, particularly for audio applications …

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/understanding-impedance

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#11

Interesting reading thanks @SoundRider.
In the SOS article they talk about matching impendences, does that mean that ideally, the headphones would be around 55 ohm? It all gets very technical at this stage…

#12

Same and agreed.

#13

At the power levels used here, the difference between the Digitakt’s 55Ω and the headphone’s 250Ω isn’t going to cause any audible distortion or artifacts.

Further, the Beyerdynamic DT line puts out a healthy sound pressure for a given amount of power, so I’ve found I almost never need a headphone amp with them, including with my Digitakt.

In short: You don’t need the amp.

Also, especially since you haven’t taken possession of them yet: You should seriously consider exchanging them for the DT 990s. The DT 1990s will not have any real difference when used to listen directly to the Digitakt - or for almost any other home studio use. They are made for very critical listening during studio mixing and mastering, and the spec difference is not going to be noticeable except in careful spaces.

In addition to the DT 1990s costing more than double the DT 990s, they are heavier, and have more headband pressure (almost double, again, for critical studio work). They will not be as comfortable for long term playing use.

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#14

No by matching they mean more or less the 1/8th rule . If the headphone output is for example 5 ohm , the headphone should be about 40 ohm . This is the short explanation , and basically all the info i need for my daily use … after that , just get to know your headphones well by referencing , A/B-ing etc… more important than hifi specialism .

#15

Just have to say it’s such a pleasure to engage with such an active and helpful forum. Clearly related to how awesome Elektron is as a brand as well. Thanks for your replies, will get the 1990s tomorrow and report back. Aside: blown away by how expressive and creative the DT is. Coming back into production tinkering after about ten years, things have just got better. Had the mpc 1000 before but this feels like the futuristic grandchild of that experience.

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#16

dont forget to check @mzero comment above on 1990 vs 990, having used both before i fully agree with him.

#17

My DT880 Pros work wonderful w/ the DT… No preamp needed. Can’t go wrong with Beyerdynamic!

#18

Thanks for the advice. I’m going to stick with the DT 1990s though as I’m keen to use them for home as well. Funny thing is I had a pair of DT 990s several years ago, I’m keen to try something new now, but still attached to Beyerdynamic!

#19

Using the 1990’s for home use is still subject to the impedance matching.
I plug them into my AK320 with the AK Amp, and they sound phenomenal. Without the amp they lose some noticeable quality, but still sound great.
I don’t use the 1990’s with my synths or mixer, I use the 990’s. Purely to prevent blowing the 1990’s by accident.

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