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Ultrasone PRO 900 DAC and Amp Suggestions

post #1 of 10
9/14/10 at 8:34pm
Thread Starter 

I am ordering a pair of Ultrasone PRO 900s. My source will be playing lossless files through Foobar 2000 (if you can think of a program that will offer me better SQ that'd be great) on my laptop (still haven't gotten one yet). I am wondering what DAC and amp combination you guys think would go well with the Pro 900? I was thinking about the Eastern Electric Minimax DAC but am not sure if it'd go well with the Pro 900.

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post #2 of 10
9/17/10 at 11:22pm

it depends on your budget

you could go for a Pico dac to connect via USB and then go with a $200 SS amp and be done with it

tbh, im not sure how well a Pro 900 would scale up with a better dac and amp

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post #3 of 10
9/18/10 at 7:57am

If I had to make a setup for the Pro 900 I'd make sure to get a warm amp AND DAC.  This is cause when I had the Pro 900, my ears got fatigued just playing Modern Warfare 2! 

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post #4 of 10
9/18/10 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic Atrocity View Post

I am ordering a pair of Ultrasone PRO 900s. My source will be playing lossless files through Foobar 2000 (if you can think of a program that will offer me better SQ that'd be great) on my laptop (still haven't gotten one yet).


Assuming it's properly configured for WASAPI output, Foobar can't be beat on Windows. I've tried JRMC 15 with its memory playback option and didn't hear any improvement. Definitely not worth the $50 if that's all you want to use it for. As for amps, Centrance DACport maybe? With a laptop as the source, you're going to want 24/96 USB support minimum.

 

For the Pro 900, check out the Kees mod.

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post #5 of 10
9/19/10 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 

In response to each of your posts...

 

I'm not sure I want a warm amp considering the fat bass response of the PRO 900s (although that may be improved with the Kees modification). Were your ears fatigued with the highs? Also, I could get a PICO (and it'd be compatible with my Ipod classic 80 GB wouldn't it?) but I've heard it has a lack of bass extension and I listen to a lot of music with an extended range (especially the lower register) like Meshuggah, Tool, Isis, etc.

 

As for the 24/96 USB support. I am not very familiar with that terminology. Is there maybe a DACs for N00bs thread around here (I'll look but I was just wondering if you know of a good source that may be less popular)? As far as my understanding goes with that terminology though - isn't 24/96 the highest? Is there such a thing as going beyond that? Hmm, certainly some thinking to be done. I will be making a thread in the computer audio forum about what computer I should get. Perhaps I will learn a little more there.

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post #6 of 10
9/19/10 at 6:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic Atrocity View Post

As for the 24/96 USB support. I am not very familiar with that terminology. Is there maybe a DACs for N00bs thread around here (I'll look but I was just wondering if you know of a good source that may be less popular)? As far as my understanding goes with that terminology though - isn't 24/96 the highest? Is there such a thing as going beyond that? Hmm, certainly some thinking to be done. I will be making a thread in the computer audio forum about what computer I should get. Perhaps I will learn a little more there.


The most basic USB implementation that you see on DACs is limited to 16/48 - and sounds like crap. That's not to say that all DACs with 16/48 USB inputs are bad, the Bryston for example is very good, but its USB input isn't. The 24/96 capable inputs on many recent DACs are much better. The best is 24/192 capable asynchronous USB, but that's currently limited to just a few DACs, the $1500 Wyred4Sound DAC-2 being the cheapest. Another route is to use a USB-to-S/Pdif converter such as the M2Tech Hiface.

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post #7 of 10
9/20/10 at 10:13pm
Thread Starter 

Well, my financial situation just took a turn for the not-so-good. I am gonna go for the PICO with DAC and Ultrasone PRO 900s. I was gonna go with an Eastern Electric minimax DAC originally:P


Edited by Sonic Atrocity - 9/21/10 at 5:21am
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post #8 of 10
11/15/10 at 3:52am

Hi Sonic Atrocity.

 

I am interested in how this combination turned out for you. Was the gain in sound quality worth the expenditure?

 

Also, do you use this equipment portably? What's the performance like then?

 

Thanks


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic Atrocity View Post

Well, my financial situation just took a turn for the not-so-good. I am gonna go for the PICO with DAC and Ultrasone PRO 900s. I was gonna go with an Eastern Electric minimax DAC originally:P


 

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post #9 of 10
12/9/10 at 5:48am
Thread Starter 

Would you guys say the Pico portable dac/amp would compliment the Ultrasone Pro 900's nicely or would the improvement in sound be minimal? I'd go with a better amp/dac but I want something that can A) be portable and B) is relatively cheap.

 

Edit: Also, would the Pico portable dac/amp be compatible with an ipod?:)

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post #10 of 10
12/10/10 at 11:44am

I'm also looking for a good amp or amp+dac for my PRO 900's
My budget is about $500-600

Don't need it to be portable.

 

I listen to pretty much any music, but mostly rock and indie stuff, and pop punk/alternative...(Paramore, Boys Like Girls, All Time Low, Muse, etc.) and sometimes hip hop/rap...

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