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Looking for an Amp/DAC

post #1 of 9
1/7/11 at 7:28pm
Thread Starter 

Hey everybody

 

Right now I'm just wondering what the next bump up in quality would be.  Currently I'm just plugging my phones into my computers mobo and my ipod.  I have the M50's, AD700's, and iM-590s.  These are all pretty easy to drive,  so I don't think an amp would help too much.  People have told me that a DAC would really help out though,  seeing as my onboard audio isn't quite good at all.  Something like the E7 maybe?

 

So what do you think would be the biggest increase in SQ?

 

1.  Doesn't have to be portable necessarily,  but easily transportable. 

 

2. Under $100

 

3. Long term flexibility

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

FiiO E7 USB DAC and Portable Headphone Amplifier (Black)
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post #2 of 9
1/7/11 at 7:39pm

Fairly easy to drive doesnt always mean that an amp would not improve them. Even ibuds sounded decent when i tried amping them. However the fiio E7 is a very good choice as the DAC can always remain in your chain even when you get a better amp.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by bannedman3 View Post

Hey everybody

 

Right now I'm just wondering what the next bump up in quality would be.  Currently I'm just plugging my phones into my computers mobo and my ipod.  I have the M50's, AD700's, and iM-590s.  These are all pretty easy to drive,  so I don't think an amp would help too much.  People have told me that a DAC would really help out though,  seeing as my onboard audio isn't quite good at all.  Something like the E7 maybe?

 

So what do you think would be the biggest increase in SQ?

 

1.  Doesn't have to be portable necessarily,  but easily transportable. 

 

2. Under $100

 

3. Long term flexibility

Reply
post #3 of 9
1/7/11 at 7:50pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the response

 

would you recommend getting the E7,  then buying the E9 down the road?  and what about this E11 that's coming out soon?

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post #4 of 9
1/7/11 at 10:58pm
Thread Starter 

Also, do you think the E7 will be a significant improvement over my soundcard?  I built my own PC, with a top of the line mobo,  with a "Realtek ALC1200 8 channel."

 

Sorry for the double post

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post #5 of 9
1/7/11 at 11:29pm

I've got the AD700, and I just picked up a uDAC 2. Sound is much better than onboard audio was. You can get the uDAC 2 HP (same but without RCA out lines) for right about $100. I'd recommend other models too, but this is all I've tried so far...

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post #6 of 9
1/8/11 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 

Anybody have a opinion regarding E7 vs. the uDAC 2?  Would these be the best options for a DAC/AMP under say, 150 dollars?

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post #7 of 9
1/8/11 at 5:36pm
Thread Starter 

bump/update

 

budget = <200

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post #8 of 9
1/8/11 at 8:42pm

Would Astro work?

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post #9 of 9
1/9/11 at 1:01am
Thread Starter 

Astro?

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

FiiO E7 USB DAC and Portable Headphone Amplifier (Black)
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