Denon D2000 + Head-Direct EF1 + ibasso D10 = solid combo - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

scottyeatcereal · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 08:31 AM

Hello Head-Fiers,

I'm new to posting on these boards, but over the past month I've been monitoring the forums and from the information gathered I've been assembling what I think makes for a pretty solid moderate budget home rig:

- Denon D2000 from Amazon for $265 shipped

- Head-Direct EF1 from China for $319 shipped

- ibasso D10 (functioning DAC-only via optical in) from China for $297 shipped

- and to include at least one decent interconnect I picked up a 2-meter toslink-to-mini from Sysconcept to connect my macbook (playing all ALAC files) to the D10 for $32CAD shipped.

my point in posting this new thread is to gauge interest in these components either individually or as a unit. I chose the full-size amp thread because the EF1 really ties this all together, though it's no problem if moderators think that this should be moved to another forum.

so, please post replies if you guys are interested in pics or how the sound quality changed as I added each component, etc. and I'll respond or I'll just go ahead and write up a full review of this rig as it sounds to my ears (YMMV, of course). In any case, I will say this right now: it all sounds quite good.

krmathis · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 09:36 AM

Welcome to Head-Fi!

..and what looks like a nice rig. Pictures and impressions are always nice as well...

pekingduck · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 01:24 PM

Yes I am interested in your impressions.

Sorry about your wallet

ikitub · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 04:14 PM

still saving up for the EF1.. wanna pair that also for my d2000...

boomy3555 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 06:33 PM

The EF1 and the Denons were made for each other although I wonder about the necessity of the D10 unless you are using it as a DAC from the source to the EF1?

plonter · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 06:51 PM

x2 on the EF1 denon combo...souns like heaven. but make sure to use a clean source for it, the EF1 really needs it to show its best.

scottyeatcereal · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomy3555

The EF1 and the Denons were made for each other although I wonder about the necessity of the D10 unless you are using it as a DAC from the source to the EF1?

thanks, Boomy. I edited and clarified my original post. The D10 is being used primarily as a DAC going between the macbook and the EF1. so far I've just got it running in USB mode, but as soon as my optical cable arrives I'll test clarity and detail between the USB and optical connections.

punkaroo · #8 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 03:10 AM

Cool! Good to see another Canuck on the boards

Nice rig! Let us know what you think.

ikitub · #9 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 04:39 AM

will an iPod Classic 7th Gen(2009) be a good source for the denon+EF1 combo.. will play Apple Lossless audio. or do I still need the iBasso D10 to maximize it's full potential.. thanks..

MikeW · #10 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 04:57 AM

no, it will sound terrible with ipod source, that's crap. You need a half way decent dac.

pekingduck · #11 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeW

no, it will sound terrible with ipod source, that's crap. You need a half way decent dac.

I wouldn't say the iPod is terrible but yes, the D10 as source is quite a bit better than the iPod..

ikitub · #12 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 05:08 AM

umm.. quite a bit only? so what will be a good source? a dedicated source or my MBP will suffice?

blackbuck · #13 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 05:09 AM

wow ...i think this guy really knows how to listen to music ....nice combo buddy ...!!

Spareribs · #14 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 05:34 AM

Congrats!
The EF1 is a fine amp and one of my picks for headphone enthusiasts out there. With this amp, you get good quality tone for a reasonable price.
I like the way how you budgeted your rig. It's very sensible. I've always felt that it's possible to build an impressive audiophle rig for around $900 assuming you spend about $300 each for the headphone, source and amp. And it's money well spent, IMO since a good $900 rig can last many years of your life.

estreeter · #15 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikitub

umm.. quite a bit only? so what will be a good source? a dedicated source or my MBP will suffice?

You will find a lot of debate over how best to use any computer as your source, but this is what I do:

1. Rip everything to WAV, then convert to FLAC or ALAC (I have Windows and Linux machines in addition to the MBP)

2. Connect my Topaz DAC/amp using the SPDIF optical out from either my MBP or my Linux netbook (I have a mini-Toslink cable : they arent expensive)

3. I then take the signal from the RCA-out on my Topaz into my integrated amp - this is a stopgap until I can get the headphone amp I want.

I can give you a direct comparison between this and the result I get from the line-out on my iPod into the same integrated amp. The sound is richer, fuller and more engaging. I'm not saying that you cannot get a good result from a portable player, but you would largely be trying to emulate what I am doing with the laptops : rely on a DAC to clean up the sound. The MBP, or any capable laptop, will make an excellent source, but very few have onboard sound worth amplifying, IMO. Its OK for a DVD, but not for any sort of critical listening.