Originally posted in Headphone Amps Full Size but got no answers so i thought I'd try here:
So I finally gave in and ordered the AH-D2000's and I'm having trouble deciding what to get as my source.
I've pretty much narrowed it down to either the NuForce Icon HDP, or one of Audio-GDs WM8471 Amp/DACs (still bouncing around from the Sparrow to the FUN to the NFB-12), and I suppose the Yulong D100 fits in the price range.
Now from what I've read, the HDP has a better DAC and the Audio-GDs have better amps, and both have sound signatures that compliment the AH-D2000's well.
My first question is either of the two's strong suit good enough that it would be worth keeping as a dedicated device, so using the HDP as JUST a DAC or using one of the Audio-GDs as JUST an amp, and upgrading the other part down the line?
There are things which I like about both amps:
Icon HDP:
- I like that it's an American made product, seems like it would be easier to get support.
- Nice small form factor, won't take up half my desk.
- Asynchronous USB connection. (Probably a better all around USB chip)
- Extremely Capable DAC section (from what I've read)
- The fact that it seems like the HDP resells for practically what it costs new.
Audio-GD Fun Version A(the one i'm currently leaning towards):
- I dig the freedom to customize the OpAmps and whatnot.
- I really like the locking Neutrik connector
- Both variable and fixed outputs
- Very strong AMP section
- Variable Gain settings.
Honestly though, at this point I'm leaning towards the HDP just because the Fun is sooooo much larger, the shipping will be crazy expensive, plus it ships from China and will take forever to get here. I'm also not such a big fan of having to ship it to China for any service it may need.
My other problem is a can't seem to find a whole lot of information regarding the newer WM8741 version of the FUN, it seems like most reviews are for the older model where the DA1852 was the higher model DAC .
The website for Audio-GD is also a bit scary.
But I guess more than anything I want to know how the WM8741 version of the FUN compares to the DAC in the HDP. Because that was one of the most interesting parts of the HDP to me was the supposed high quality of it's DAC, so that I would have the freedom down the road to connect a better amp (and the freedom to choose SS vs Tube). Of course the motivation for such an upgrade would be due to the supposedly lacking amp section of the HDP.
But doing the opposite with the Fun just seems wasteful since if I was going to go for a dedicated DAC I could just as easily get something like a Matrix M-Stage and have a fairly high quality amp.
So what do you guys think, between the HDP and the FUN, which is a better match for the D2000s, and which is the better buy.
Also, how relatively good are each's respective AMP and DAC sections?
Oh, and if anyone has any other viable options at or under the HDP's $450 price tag I'd love to hear them.
I just want something that sounds great with my D2000s and has the flexibility to be used with a wide selection of cans down the road. (I figure it's going to be a cyclical upgrade process, so after this purchase, it will be time to look at upgrading to even better headphones, and then back to getting a better amp/dac, etc etc etc)
