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[Need Help] DAC+Amp Combo (size is a matter)

post #1 of 10
10/21/10 at 5:03am
Thread Starter 

As title, I need your help guys, my current set-up is uDac --> ATH AD1000PRM 

 

It's sounds good, warm and slight bump at lower midrange in uDac provide good synergy to PRM.

 

For later, I think I want to upgrade my DAC+Amp, and I just not sure what I have to pick. Note that size is a matter, so I just want DAC+amp combo because its simple and I love the simple things.

 

The option that I think suitable to me:

- uDac2

- NuForce HDP (wallwart isn't a problem to me)

- Matrix Cube DAC

- CEntrance DACport

- Pico DAC+Amp

- Any other suggestion is welcome sure

 

My point is, I'm looking for DAC+amp that has character like uDac1, but with more refinement sound.

 

Fav songs: Mainly Rock-Pop, Acoustic, Vocal Jazz, and some Trance, Chillout, New Ages.

 

Thx.


Edited by TheMiddleSky - 10/21/10 at 6:01am
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post #2 of 10
10/21/10 at 5:23am

The UDAC uses Sabre chips from what I´ve read. The top of the line Sabre32 is in the Audio-gd NFB-11: http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB11/NFB11EN.htm

 

It´s a compact DAC+amp, but should be a very clear upgrade. After the NFB-11, the least expensive DAC with one of the Sabre32 chips is the Eastern Electric 750 dollar Minimax. It´s a limited run at a promo price. Noone has it yet, but on paper it should be superior to any of those. Personally I don´t think there is a product out there right now that can compete with the NFB-11 in value.

 

I can also recommend the NuForce HDP. Used to have one, and was pleasantly suprised by it. Especially if you are using hard to drive headphones, otherwise I would go for the NFB-11 as it has a gain switch.

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post #3 of 10
10/21/10 at 6:00am
Thread Starter 

Not to drive power hungry cans actually, AD1000PRM is pretty easy to drive (max volume I can resist is 11 o'clock at my uDac), so the refinement and the signature are my first point

 

 

HDP looks nice, I've already read so much posts about them, and from what I read, looks like HDP is more aggresive and not as "thick" as uDac. So I just a bit confuse here. I just don't know how "aggresive" is HDP.

 

NFB-11 sounds promising, I've read their thread, but can't get any complete review, so I'll wait until some people make review about their sound.


Edited by TheMiddleSky - 10/21/10 at 8:25am
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post #4 of 10
10/22/10 at 9:28pm
Thread Starter 

Bump

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post #5 of 10
10/23/10 at 2:22am

The HDP is too powerful is you are already hitting a wall that way with the UDAC. It´s designed for demanding headphones. The NFB-11 has a gain switch, but since noone has tested it yet I don´t know...

 

I would wait for the NFB-11 impressions and then make the choice. I got one ordered in the second batch, I can test it with a few IEM´s in low-gain mode and let you know how it works smily_headphones1.gif

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post #6 of 10
10/23/10 at 2:37am

AD1000PRM also is good i think. your problem is so, but you can try, or the HDP is very nice. you can try if you can do.

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post #7 of 10
10/23/10 at 3:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vrln View Post

The HDP is too powerful is you are already hitting a wall that way with the UDAC. It´s designed for demanding headphones. The NFB-11 has a gain switch, but since noone has tested it yet I don´t know...

 

I would wait for the NFB-11 impressions and then make the choice. I got one ordered in the second batch, I can test it with a few IEM´s in low-gain mode and let you know how it works smily_headphones1.gif


can't wait to see your impression smily_headphones1.gif

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by kenny001 View Post

AD1000PRM also is good i think. your problem is so, but you can try, or the HDP is very nice. you can try if you can do.


unfortunately local shops at my state don't have them, only uDac2 is available I guess.

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post #8 of 10
10/23/10 at 4:20am

The Pico is bad-ass and that would be my first choice if you need a small footprint. 

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post #9 of 10
10/23/10 at 7:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K3cT View Post

The Pico is bad-ass and that would be my first choice if you need a small footprint. 

 

Yeah, already tried it couple months ago (though with other cans). It sounds great, but at that price range, I think I'll go to others like DACport, HDP, etc (jezz, Pico is really expensive in our country)
 

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post #10 of 10
1/8/11 at 5:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vrln View Post

The UDAC uses Sabre chips from what I´ve read. The top of the line Sabre32 is in the Audio-gd NFB-11: http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB11/NFB11EN.htm

 

It´s a compact DAC+amp, but should be a very clear upgrade. After the NFB-11, the least expensive DAC with one of the Sabre32 chips is the Eastern Electric 750 dollar Minimax. It´s a limited run at a promo price. Noone has it yet, but on paper it should be superior to any of those. Personally I don´t think there is a product out there right now that can compete with the NFB-11 in value.

 

I can also recommend the NuForce HDP. Used to have one, and was pleasantly suprised by it. Especially if you are using hard to drive headphones, otherwise I would go for the NFB-11 as it has a gain switch.




Your effort is appreciated! The link you provided is very useful, This is what I'm looking for.
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