How do I tell if an amp can drive my Audeze Headphones?

Choosing the best amp for a given headphone is a complex and personal task, and there are a variety of factors that influence how a specific amp will make them sound. Though there is definitely a relationship between output power and volume, impedance plays a big factor in that equation as well. The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance/impedance is defined by Ohm’s Law (you may want to read this article for more information: http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/headphone-amp-impedance.html). As long as the amp of choice has a low output impedance, it should be able to drive them with a modicum of power. Any good amp with an output of 1/2 watt at the headphone's rated impedance should have no trouble driving them.

A good rule of thumb is that if you get sufficient volume with your gain knob set between 1 and 2 o'clock, the amp has enough power to drive the phones. If you have to crank it much past 2 o'clock, the amp may be under-powered and won’t have the power for songs with wide dynamic range. We also suggest you contact the amplifier manufacturers and give them two specifications which you can find on our web site: Sensitivity/efficiency (i.e., 98dB) and the impedance (i.e., 100 ohms) of the specific headphone model. With that information, the amplifier manufacturer should be able to tell you the suitability of their product.

As with all things audio, the best way to determine if a combination works is to try it. Find what works best for YOU and your needs.