New Headphones Improved With Old Amp?

[JameWagstaff]

Hey guys.
I was thinking of replacing my Razer Kraken 7.1 and getting the Audio Technics's AD500x, as I can use them for listening to music, watching videos and playing counter strike. When I was reading up about the headphones, a few people were suggesting that you get an amp or sound card. As money is an issue, I was wondering if I could use an old amp, such as the denon PMA-250iii that I have and if it would actually make a difference to the quality of audio in games such as counter strike. Thanks in advance.

 

[C12Friedman]

Although it can work, I don't think you'll get much out of doing that. An external DAC would be the way to go IMO.
This video may help explain what people are talking about as far as using an amp or external DAC (I'm not a fan of sound cards - the video explains some of that also) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1rXcJuEsy0
I'd simply suggest using the Audio Technica AD500x's to the back of your PC - see if they don't work fine (I suspect they will). At 48Ω, they do have a little more impedance than the "standard" of 32Ω but not so much you shouldn't be able to hear them fine. If you find that more volume is needed, then look to an external DAC/amp for a possible solution.