For AKG Q701 headphones which amp is best—Akai EIE Pro/Lexicon I-O|22?, [TOS #6: was “Headphones and amp”] Options

[jsf]

Hello

I have a pair of AKG Q701 and right now I need an audio interface for my computer.

The interfaces I have in mind are the Akai EIE Pro and the Lexicon I-O|22.

Considering the specs of each unit, which one would be the one best compatible with the Q701?

The specs vary on the way they are presented on both units, and i'm not sure i totally understand them.
I really wanted the Akai EIE Pro for all its extra features, but from my understanding i could run into problems if i turn the headphone volume up too much. Could anyone confirm this please?
The Power the Lexicon can output for 50Ω seems to mean that that will be plenty sufficient to feed the Q701, correct?

Here are the specs available online for the Q701 and both units

Akg Q701
Frequency range: 10Hz to 39.8kHz
Sensitivity: 105dB SPL/V
Input impedance: 62 ohms
Maximum input power: 200mW

Akai EIE Pro

32-Ω load
Unclipped output power: 10 mW @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+0.25 dB)
S/N: -100 dB, A-weighted
THD+N: 0.007% @ 1 kHz / 0 dBFS
Crosstalk: 95 dB @ 1 kHz / 0 dBFS

600-Ω load
Unclipped output power: 3.4 mW @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+0.25 dB)
S/N: -100 dB, A-weighted
THD+N: 0.003% @ 1 kHz / 0 dBFS
Crosstalk: 95 dB @ 1 kHz / 0 dBFS

Lexicon I-O|22
Headphone Output: 1/4” stereo jack 350mW per channel at 50Ω

Thanks in advance for the attention.

This post has been edited by jsf: Mar 9 2013, 17:10

[jsf]

Thanks for editing the topic title, makes a lot more sense this way.
I have tried to edit it myself, right after posting, but couldn't find the way.

[db1989]

No problem! Unfortunately, the editing feature here doesn’t allow non-staff to edit titles (or polls, it seems). Also note that editing is only possible within the first hour after your post is initially made.

[markanini]

I haven't seen an interface with a headphone output better than the $25 Fiio E5. So I wouldn't choose an interface based on the headphone output/s.

[jsf]

I haven't seen an interface with a headphone output better than the $25 Fiio E5. So I wouldn't choose an interface based on the headphone output/s.

I see, makes sense, reading the post back again makes me consider, maybe I wasn't very clear.

I mostly work with headphones. I need an interface to plug a pair of old Alesis M1 ActiveMKII for occasional use and a couple of hardware synths that are currently plugged to an old Roland VM3100 Pro. This setup was perfect for me in the past, with the V-Fire firewire interface i could record everything in the mixer and use its integrated headphone amp to monitor everything in the mixer and everything in the computer. It was a modest setup but was 100% functional.

The VM3100 is completely obsolete, the only thing i can do is having external sound sources plugged in it and have it then connected to a new interface.

The cool thing about the Akai are its extra inputs and inserts points, that i can still mimic with the VM3100 if i go with the Lexicon. The Akai also as the 3 USB port Hub, i could see myself giving it a lot of use as well.
So my doubt really just comes down to the headphone amp.

Hope it makes a little more sense now