Will a good DAC have a clear impact on my mid-grade equipment?

Some people will try to tell you that you won't be able to hear the differences a good DAC can bring to the table if the rest of your chain isn't at the same level.  In my experience with various gear this is absolutely untrue.  I can certainly hear the difference.  But you need to quantify that difference.  The real question is whether or not you want to spend the money on a better DAC if the rest of the chain won't allow you to hear ALL that the DAC is capable of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong 


I recommend getting better headphones first.

Currawong is correct.

USG

I wish I'd had a chance to try the Shures, but I haven't.  With Sennheiser, you have the HD-600 and HD-650.  People are very polarised about which is better -- certainly the HD-600s are better value, especially second-hand. They have different sound signatures but both will scale up as the quality of your other gear improves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong 

I wish I'd had a chance to try the Shures, but I haven't.  With Sennheiser, you have the HD-600 and HD-650.  People are very polarised about which is better -- certainly the HD-600s are better value, especially second-hand. They have different sound signatures but both will scale up as the quality of your other gear improves.

In an earlier post Currawong is telling you to buy new headphones and yet here he admits "I wish I'd had a chance to try the Shures, but I haven't.". Hard to take that kind of advice seriously especially when many on these forums have had nothing but praise for the Shures isn't it?

In my experience - using less expensive headphones - I went from using headphones out of the built-in sound card on my computer and instead switched to an external amp/DAC the E-MU 0404USB. I was completely amazed at what a huge difference it made with all of my headphones (and tested to be the same on a couple of different computers as well). All of the headphones I own went from muffled sounding to having an open soundstage with great imaging and, well everything about the sound was improved. It was a night and day difference. Was it the amp or DAC or both?

So now that I think of it I can't actually answer your original question not being familiar with your current equipment or the DAC you are thinking about getting.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by runswithaliens 

In an earlier post Currawong is telling you to buy new headphones and yet here he admits "I wish I'd had a chance to try the Shures, but I haven't.". Hard to take that kind of advice seriously especially when many on these forums have had nothing but praise for the Shures isn't it?

 

<snip>

 

So now that I think of it I can't actually answer your original question ....................

Take it seriously.  It was good advice.

USG

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratowhammy 

I think I am going to wait on the DAC at least for a while... maybe if I come into $300 in my travels I'll pick it up.  Apparently the DACII has a very similar output to my little dot I+ minus the tubes, so it will be nice to compare the two side by side and also run the the dac into the little dot I+ to get the warmth of the tubes (as well as the benefit of the upgraded opamp).  I will post a thread comparing the two when this happens, but until then, I need to do my best to stay away from ebay... its dangerous.

 

... and when the come out with the LOD for the E7 I'll pick that up ... its a fiio product, so it will probably be under $20, not too much of a pinch.

Hi stratowhammy,

If you already have the I+ why not go with LD DAC_I if you go that route?  I have never listened to the Shures, so can't comment on them but a nice DAC will have you future-proof (if you stay away from this place..lol)...You can change cans, amps, interconnects etc. and your DAC will remain in place.  Plus, they are fun...

runswithaliens: My comment mainly had to do with the tonal balance.  If someone already has headphones similar in nature to the HD-600s and likes how they sound, then they'll prefer something similar-sounding, but more resolving. Ditto the HD-650s.

You absolutely need a DAC-01A. I was really amazed by it's big sound field and excellent bass and treble extension.

Let alone it has great performance-price ratio(ONLY about 170USD include shipping to US).

I bet you can't get a better one at this price tag.

justin: You seem to post about this DAC a lot, and you are from China.  Do you happen to have any kind of business relationship with someone selling these DACs, or are you selling them yourself?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Currawong 

justin: You seem to post about this DAC a lot, and you are from China.  Do you happen to have any kind of business relationship with someone selling these DACs, or are you selling them yourself?

ouch! lolz
 

I totally agree with Currawong.

Update to a higher quality pair of headphones before you go standalone DAC.