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Ibasso D10 DAC + DV 3322 VS Nuforce Icon HDP for HD650

post #1 of 13
8/8/10 at 6:23am
Thread Starter 

Hi everyone.

 

I am currently enjoying my HD595 with an Ibasso D10, which I enhanced with HiFlight's old Topkit (TLE2141/EL8201).

This setup produces nice detailed sounds. However, after trying the HD850 on a Marantz, I feel a need for something a little more sophisticated, and with more bass / colorful mids and highs.

 

I was thinking of renewing my whole setup with a pair of HD 650s and either

- keep the D10 as a DAC plugged to a Darkvoice 3322. Is the D10 good enough to make the DV shine?

- or just using the Nuforce ICON HDP. Would it be a significant step up from the D10?

 

What do you think, quality-wise? Would it be worth it? (considering the investment, I'm looking for a significant improvement).

 

 

Thanks.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones
NuForce Icon HDP (High-end Headphone Amp, USB DAC, Preamp)
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post #2 of 13
8/8/10 at 9:09pm

My amateur's opinion is that the HDP will give you more bang for the buck.

 

It is said that the DAC section of the HDP is better than D10's. However, I am very confident 3322's AMP section is much better.

 

I would sell the D10 and move to nuForce!

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post #3 of 13
8/8/10 at 9:29pm

As a DAC, D10 has no chances against HDP. I do not know how DV stands against HDP as an amp. But if I were you I would not spend $$ for adding DV3322 to the HDP, basing on my experience with WooAudio 3.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by kostalex View Post

Using HD650, I sold my WooAudio 3 upgraded with Blackgates and better tubes after I bought HDP. WA3 was better than HDP but not enough to justify extra $850.


Quote:
Originally Posted by kostalex View Post

Upgraded WA3 had the following benefits over the HDP and stock WA3

  • warmer sound, more engaging mids - vocals, guitars, etc. 
  • bigger, especially deeper soundstage
  • better coherency of the sound

 

Stock WA3 was rolled off on the deep bass. I did not compared it HDP directly, but I doubt I would prefer it to the HDP. 

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post #4 of 13
8/9/10 at 10:47am
Thread Starter 

OK, thank you all. 

 

Maybe I should just order the HDP then, but I'm a little concerned it won't be a great improvement compared to the hd 595 and D10.

It's hard to know without trying...

 

Any one else has an opinion on the HDP's AMP?

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post #5 of 13
8/9/10 at 2:12pm

HDP's AMP section isn't supposedely too amazing. I personally took the Audio GD path with the good old Compass (bought used $275) which is much cheaper than the HDP while I still feel like it will provide just enough juice for my HD595 upgrade (upcoming HD650?). D10's AMP was no match to Compass' (day and night) and I haven't notice any sound quality loss: in fact, just deeper bass over the D10. I would rather invest a little bit more with something like a DAC magic and a Schiit Asgard instead of the HDP, upgradability wise; otherwise I'd go with an Audio GD AMP + DAC combo (Fun, Compass...).

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post #6 of 13
8/9/10 at 11:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by B0b View Post

HDP's AMP section isn't supposedely too amazing. I personally took the Audio GD path with the good old Compass (bought used $275) which is much cheaper than the HDP while I still feel like it will provide just enough juice for my HD595 upgrade (upcoming HD650?). D10's AMP was no match to Compass' (day and night) and I haven't notice any sound quality loss: in fact, just deeper bass over the D10. I would rather invest a little bit more with something like a DAC magic and a Schiit Asgard instead of the HDP, upgradability wise; otherwise I'd go with an Audio GD AMP + DAC combo (Fun, Compass...).

OK, so you're essentially saying the Compass (and the FUN) are better than the HDP as standalone units? 

I'm not sure about combining an Audio GD and a DAC. It'll cost a lot, I'm not sure it'll be that different to standalone units...

 

If I buy a dedicated amp I'd probably go for a tube one.

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post #7 of 13
8/10/10 at 12:34am
Thread Starter 

How do you think the sparrow compares to the HDP?

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post #8 of 13
8/10/10 at 12:56am

I own the HDP, decided to buy it after a bit of researching.

 

From what I understand HDP > Sparrow. Not exactly in the same price range if i'm not mistaken...

HDP > Compass although I think they could be close

FUN >= HDP The thread that I am thinking of rated them pretty closely I think

C2C > HDP

 

As far as the Audio GD line goes anyway. Beleive the C2C is no longer in production. Not that I have heard any of the Audio GD line and I am not by any means an expert or should that information be taken as fact. It is simply what I can remember from my searching.

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post #9 of 13
8/10/10 at 3:53am
Thread Starter 
But I believe I've read several times the sparrow is equivalent to the fun, minus controls (for bass and highs).
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post #10 of 13
8/10/10 at 10:58pm
Thread Starter 
Here's what audio gd wrote by email.

Sparrow sound is same grade with the FUN but less the option.
The Sparrow version A-BNC price is USD210. The DA chips had upgrade to WM8741
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post #11 of 13
8/11/10 at 8:30am
Thread Starter 

I've ordered a Sparrow.

Given that SQ is similar to the Fun, it can't be far from that of the HDP, and it's almost three times cheaper !

 

I'll be able to sell my D10 for the same price or even more. 

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post #12 of 13
8/11/10 at 9:10am

One feature of the D10 beats all others - portability. I love that I can travel/fly with a decent Dac/amp, recharge w USB (not another wall wart!) and fit it in my pocket. 

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post #13 of 13
8/11/10 at 9:35am
Thread Starter 

Yeh but that's my point... I don't use the D10 as a portable device, so I might as well get a desktop setup that'll have better sq for the money.

I like the D10 too but the highs are a little too sharp for me. And it doesn't provide enough power if I want to upgrade to HD650

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones
NuForce Icon HDP (High-end Headphone Amp, USB DAC, Preamp)
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