Need a DAC/amp - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Schalldämpfer · 05-06-2007, 09:31 PM

I've had about a year with my Total BitHead, but I feel terrible when I think that it's not making full utilization of my HD650. So, what would be the next step up? It need not be portable. And I'm looking for something quite a bit better DAC-wise than the TBH, not that it's bad. I'm looking at maybe 500U SD +/- 100?

onvn · 05-07-2007, 04:16 AM

Corda Aria has quite a decent DAC - and it's amp stage is comparable to other amps its price. A good value hardware.

uraflit · 05-08-2007, 02:57 AM

if you can spend ~$600... save up for a separate dac and amp. i'm sure there are plenty of options on these boards!

spacemanspliff · 05-08-2007, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by uraflit

if you can spend ~$600... save up for a separate dac and amp. i'm sure there are plenty of options on these boards!

yeah to that. I would get a modded Zhalou or lite dac, great march for less than $250 and the rest for a decent amp

the Central Station is a good choice DAC/AMP usually but IDK about the 650s.

The PS Audio GHCA is pretty nifty if you can find one used (good luck)

el_matt0 · 05-09-2007, 03:50 AM

im rockin a zhaolu 2.0. it has a built in amp, but i use a headamp gilmore lite instead of the integrated headphone amp. that setup probably costs roughly what your range was IF you could find good used prices to swap/trade, it would be a bit more if you bought new. i use this setup with AKG701s as well as dt770 pros and it sounds fantastic using computer as source.

Lord Chaos · 05-09-2007, 05:19 PM

I'm using a Benchmark DAC1, which I bought because it is an all-in-one solution. DAC and good headphone amp. It sounds excellent with my HD25 and E500 cans. Solidly made, too. I have no idea if it's the very best out there, but I do think that anyone would be happy with it.

eduj · 05-09-2007, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by uraflit

if you can spend ~$600... save up for a separate dac and amp. i'm sure there are plenty of options on these boards!

Yeah with 600$ you'll have much more to choose from if you go the separate route of DAC and headamp.

Schalldämpfer · 05-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Thank you all for your replies. I shall look into all of them.