Considering people outside of very major worldwide cities can’t just demo an expensive amp… how do you take the plunge? For example, I have some (basic, I know) HD6XX’s . To be honest, they don’t sound all that amazing powered by an iPhone, PC or Schitt Amp. Is it just sunken cost that gets people to buy more and more expensive amps and headphones until it either sounds better or you’re so deep that you can’t back out?
I disagree about the line being easy to power. They’re easy to power competently, but not easy to power well. They definitely benefit from having a ton of power at their disposal. The 6XX with over 500mW available has improved bass extension, better dynamics and microdynamics, less of the 3-blob problem (better imaging), and better detail across the spectrum. I can switch between two excellent dac / amps (the MCTH and the K7), and hear a lot of differences. The MCTH makes them sound even more like what they sound like: smooth, natural, with blurred images (except the lead singer, who always stands out as if by magic) and thick but shallow bass. The K7 tightens up the whole picture, adds more sub-bass, greatly improves imaging, and if it doesn’t quite make them sound quick, it at least makes them sound less sluggish.