Going to try to keep this simple:
I have two sets of headphones I like, HD650s with a Bottlehead Crack amp with the speedball upgrade (sounds so much better with this amp than with a cheaper amp, I could not stand the HD650s before) and Koss ESP-950 electrostatic headphones with the included "energizer."
I can't afford a new amp for the Koss, but when I ran the Crack through the chain (DAC to Crack then headphone out to RCA to the Koss energizer amp to the ESP-950s) the bass filled out thicker and the tone was better. Sounded "tubier" and took away the electrostatic weightlessness and thinness.
But that seems like a waste of a good amp using it as a pre-amp. If I want a similar sound (or even thicker in the bass, I welcome even order distortion in the bass because the electrostats are too clean there) what are my best options for a similar piece of gear to put in the chain?
Should I get the quickie kit (seems affordable)? But no AC power...
Or I could get a Little Dot II or III, which have pre-amp capabilities.... would they sound good enough? I just need some thickness to the bass.
Or I could just cannibalize the Crack from the HD650, which will miss it so much I'll probably sell it. And I worry there's an impedence issue running the 1/4 out through two adapters to the Koss energizer's RCA in.
Thanks!