Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Four choices of DAC/amps... which would you pick?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Four choices of DAC/amps... which would you pick?

post #1 of 6
9/12/10 at 2:21am
Thread Starter 

I've been shopping around for a DAC/headphone amp setup. My source is my laptop (foobar w/ WASAPI) and I'm going to be driving my Grado sr325is. My goal is to compromise as little as possible with DAC quality with a $500 budget, but as I will have no cash left over for a headphone amp I need a decent-ish one built in to at least keep me going for the time being. I've narrowed my search to these 4.. which of these would you pick?

 

1) Audio-GD FUN

2) Music Hall DAC25.2 

3) Maverick Audio Tube Magic

4) PS Audio GCHA headphone amp (I know this isn't a DAC, but its on sale for 50% off and has USB input)

 

 

I appreciate your input!

Reply
post #2 of 6
9/12/10 at 8:24am

An Audio-GD Fun with Earth OPA (or Moon if you want a "tubey" flavored sound) would greatly fit your needs.

Reply
post #3 of 6
9/12/10 at 9:10am

That seems to be a popular choice lately on these forums. Have you considered the NuForce Icon HDP? Got great reviews and comes in at $449 + free shipping to the continental U.S.

Reply
post #4 of 6
9/12/10 at 3:49pm
Thread Starter 

I had considered it and had thought that it got mixed reviews, but I checked back on it again and it seems pretty solid - I think I may have mixed it up with another NuForce model.

Reply
post #5 of 6
9/12/10 at 4:21pm

You should also consider the Yulong D100 as it is superb DAC and great headphone amp.

Reply
post #6 of 6
10/2/10 at 9:44am

Yes, agree to Leanier, D100 will be your best choice.

It's about 500USD including shipping to USA.

Like a steal.


Edited by justin520520 - 10/2/10 at 9:47am
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Four choices of DAC/amps... which would you pick?