DAC and Headphone Amplifier query / beginner's set-up

[mito]

Ableton noob, longtime lurker: (simple drummer making a balls-up trying to set up a portable computer-based kit to take on travels ...
Initial purchases were too hasty - not enough research done before heading off into the bush - gotta pay the 'idiot tax', I guess ...

CURRENT SET-UP:
MacBook Pro 13" Mid-2012, with a new 500gb SSD
I plumped for the BeyerDynamic DT 770 Pro - 250ohm, and a
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface

PROBLEMS:
1) Too quiet in the headphones, (as I'd have known if I'd done the requisite research)
2) Probably should have got a Focusrite (or a different beast) with its own power supply too, not the USB one

SOLUTION? buy a separate headphones amp?
I thought maybe a Fiio E10K Headphone Amplifier? Some say sufficient to power them, others not...
Perhaps another problem with these as well? viewtopic.php?t=227415
Maybe need to start from scratch...hmm
Budget for headphone amp approx £100

Any suggestions much appreciated!

[Tone Deft]

higher impedance headphones offer higher fidelity but they aren't as loud. do an A/B comparison between a cheap pair of headphones (probably 8 Ohms) and your nice headphones (I have the 600 Ohm version, they sound great but won't make my ears bleed when I want to feel the music ; ) ) and the cheap ones will be louder at the same settings.

if your Master output in Live isn't reaching red then it's a noob problem, keep asking.

your link no worky.

I haven't shopped for a new audio interface for years. what exactly are your input and output needs? forget the headphone drive strength, you got some bad advice somewhere.

if you just need to hear Live on its own why not just plug headphones right into your laptop? the only reason for a sound card is to drive speakers and/or to record into Live.

edit - nah, that sound card looks totally adequate.
FWIW I use an Edirol UA101 w/it's own power supply. I bought it ~10 years ago, it's been great.

[mito]

Cheers for your reply!

Yes, higher fidelity was what I was after.
My previous Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Studio Monitor Pros were fine - volume- and sound-wise - just plugged straight into the laptop.
Gave them away as I found them very uncomfortable to wear for long periods.
Never had the volume maxed out, as I have to now with the current ill-planned set-up.
I bought the USB Focusrite to improve sound as well, also as a portable interface for recording my (Ludwig Super Classic) drums, bass & guitars &c.
Portability a major factor for me. I work in refugee camps, and had hoped - if I could wrap my head around the bleeding technology - to try and set up some recording projects. Clearly a lot of spade work before I get to this point!
Ebay, start again, or buy a headphone amp that can do the BeyerDynamic DT 770 Pro - 250ohm’s justice? Hmm…
Steep learning curve it is, to be sure

That Ableton forum link: viewtopic.php?t=227415 titled: HUGE RED FLAG! Fiio E10K

[Tone Deft]

more music has been created on less. you can turn the computer keyboard into a piano keyboard and play into Live. record into your laptop mic and you can sample the world. no excuses.

anyway, back to reality. you want loud high impedance headphones.




that link you posted is AWWWEEESOOME!! it reads like a bot. I LOL'ed.

here's another link that sounds just like you asking the SAME question on Redditt
https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/ ... usb_audio/
they say the Scarlet 2i2 is generally recommended on the EDM subredditt.

go figure.

[mito]

No, not me on Reddit...

Beating the bejesus out of drums is a simpler furrow to plough, to be sure...

Headphone amp, I thought, might be a simple way to achieve higher volume, is all -
Trying not to dig a bigger hole, is all