My question(s) are, atleast to some degree, about budget dac / the need for it, but since the original thread about this issue is ~80% full of discussion about asynhronous vs. synchronous USB, curriculum vitae's etc. I decided to start new thread..
I'm in a position where I need a neutral budget amp. At least I think I do. Here's where I stand at the moment:
My PC (Radeon HD 4550) is connected to my Denon AVR-1909 via HDMI and analog (3,5mm - 2xRCA) cables. I need the analog cable because Denon has two zones, and it'll output to Zone2 only stuff that it takes from analog inputs. The PC is set to output 24bit / 192kHz signal (I really don't know is there real world advantage in using this high rate, atleast with my gear).
I have 5.1 system connected to Denon, but that's not important. The thing I'm after is SQ with my headphones. I recently bought Sennheiser HD 598 headphones. I love the airyness, clarity and precisioness of them, but IMO they lack something that I'd describe as authority. Even my old HD 525's have more punch, but after hearing 598's they are just way too muddy..
So, I'd like to do something to warm up 598 sound, and add a little "grunt" to low register. I've been thinking of buying Indeed G2 amp with 6922/6N11/6N23P tube, but the problem is, Denon won't output digital input's to any analog output's, including line-out.
So I need to a) upgrade my PC or b) get a DAC that can be connected to my PC, with USB I think.
The DAC must be "invisible", because I don't want it to mess with high resolution/definition (don't know the right word in english, sorry) of 598's. I already have portable amp to use with my mp3 player, and I want to try out a tube amp, so the DAC doesn't have to have amp / be portable. It also has to be quite cheap, because I allready got a little "feedback" for buying those 598's ;)
So please, if you took the time to read through my rambling, make a suggestion. What DAC would suite me the best? I've been studying Udac2 (unnecessary amp), Headphonia USB DAC Cable (only 16/48 resolution), HRT Music Streamer II (expensive) and E7 with (soon to be released) LOD (sound quality?), but haven't been able to make my mind.
I'm not going to give specific budget max, but I paid ~225 USD for the headphones, the amp will cost around 130 USD.. it'd be really nice if I could keep the total costs under 500 USD. And I live in Finland, so I'll pay taxes (22%) + customs + P&P's for anything I buy online..
Additional question 1) Is there any sense / advantage in using 24/194 rate? I listen mostly to FLAC's.
2) If I end up buying something with amp, how should I set up the volume / should I adjust it from the dac/amp of from the tube amp?
3) If I feed 16/48 capable DAC with 24/192 signal, does is downsample it, or just plain won't understand it at all?
Thanks, and sorry for the lenght of this post..
