Okay here goes I have no experience whatsoever on standalone DACS... I am currently sitting on an Elite PRO. I have no problem with the sound quality but may opt for a change... I don´t expect it to last forever there is to many parts on soundcards that can start acting up. Am I right that I should be able to expect a standalone DAC to last a life time and just sound better with more use? That is one criteria that have to be met to justify a purchase. I do want bang for the buck but rather be safe and sorry that it´s indead an upgrade over my Elite PRO.
As for sound I want details for sure. But maybe a bit warmer the Elite PRO is very cold and analytical... Maybe I can start focusing on the music rather than the details with a warmer source.
the PRO 900 do have a strong bass so the DAC should if anything tighten this without loosing bass of course. D5000 I haven´t got yet but it´s also supposed to be strong in this department. they are both low ohms so they should in theory suite my heed Canamp fine? I don´t know how well regarded that is though but I suspect it would be best to spend the money on a dedicated DAC rather then a DAC/AMP combo?
the D5000 have the option for running balanced and then I would need the combo or I would have to switch amplifier I suppose. Is it really worth the expense over unbalanced solutions?
The DAC also need to have optical out not USB.
I have looked at Keces TA 131.1. Thinking of the copper upgrade to make it a bit warmer than the 90$ silver upgrade. but also their combined DAC/AMP. How good is that amp compared to the Heed? the DAC it uses seem inferior in specs even to Elite PROs... Heard of Zhaolus and DacMagic, small dots but it´s a jungle out there. As mentioned I am on my last set of headphones now it´s either PRO 900 or D5000 or both so that is fixed. the amp/Dac can suck all it want for high impedance headphones I don´t care
As for price I don´t want to pay more then needed of course but say 400$ as a limit... If you suggest DAC/AMP combos higher priced you better proof why it´s so much better
As for sound I want details for sure. But maybe a bit warmer the Elite PRO is very cold and analytical... Maybe I can start focusing on the music rather than the details with a warmer source.
the PRO 900 do have a strong bass so the DAC should if anything tighten this without loosing bass of course. D5000 I haven´t got yet but it´s also supposed to be strong in this department. they are both low ohms so they should in theory suite my heed Canamp fine? I don´t know how well regarded that is though but I suspect it would be best to spend the money on a dedicated DAC rather then a DAC/AMP combo?
the D5000 have the option for running balanced and then I would need the combo or I would have to switch amplifier I suppose. Is it really worth the expense over unbalanced solutions?
The DAC also need to have optical out not USB.
I have looked at Keces TA 131.1. Thinking of the copper upgrade to make it a bit warmer than the 90$ silver upgrade. but also their combined DAC/AMP. How good is that amp compared to the Heed? the DAC it uses seem inferior in specs even to Elite PROs... Heard of Zhaolus and DacMagic, small dots but it´s a jungle out there. As mentioned I am on my last set of headphones now it´s either PRO 900 or D5000 or both so that is fixed. the amp/Dac can suck all it want for high impedance headphones I don´t care
As for price I don´t want to pay more then needed of course but say 400$ as a limit... If you suggest DAC/AMP combos higher priced you better proof why it´s so much better
