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Upgrading DAC, headphones, and speakers - Page 2

post #16 of 26
3/2/11 at 1:08pm

There's a intresting review of the u-dac2 here http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/542281/nuforce-udac-2-drama-detailed-measurements , you should read it first beforing buying it.

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post #17 of 26
3/3/11 at 1:02am
Thread Starter 

Damn, that sounds quite bad, I don't like what I'm seeing in that review. I thought there were just minor noise issues channel imbalance with low impedance headphones (which the AKG K 601 wouldn't exactly be), but that's quite an eye-opener, much to the effect of this Behringer/Sony vs. High-End ABX test

Are there any uDAC-2 like DAC/amps with volume controlled line-out too? Feature wise the uDAC 2 is almost perfect, with line in like Icon-2 and less issues it WOULD be perfect for me.

- Pro-Ject USB Box DAC + Head Box II would do the same thing as uDAC, only over double the price and people have been giving bad reviews for their Head Box II..


Edited by pocketrocket - 3/3/11 at 3:19am
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post #18 of 26
3/3/11 at 4:19am

The channel inbalance and clipping will be audiable with the udac, i don't think the noise/disortion would be that audiable on a average set-up but might be though moniters and high end headphones.

 

You could get the emu404 which for the extra money would give you the advantage of a fully balanced set-up, you don't have to worry about volume control you can buy passive volume controls , something like this http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/sm-pro-m-patch-2-passive-volume-attenuator--51232 , thats a high-end 1 though with a built in amp, you can find them much cheaper on ebay.

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post #19 of 26
3/3/11 at 5:50am
Thread Starter 

Wait, there's a volume control for both headphone out and main outputs in the EMU 0404, why can't I use those and should use that.. gizmo instead? Don't get me wrong I appreciate the effort you're putting into civilizing me but I don't see the point of paying 100€ for a volume knob, when it seems like my DAC would already have one.

And yes sadly the EMU 0404 seems like the best option versatility/SQ/reasonable price-wise, I'm just so shallow the "PA" looks put me off a tad. Maybe I'll do an aluminum sleeve case for it biggrin.gif

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post #20 of 26
3/3/11 at 6:29am

yea the emu404 has it's own volume controls, i was on about if you decide to get a something different without a volume control no you don't need one with the emu404 , also there much cheaper check ebay there about 20-50€ for a basic 1.

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post #21 of 26
3/3/11 at 6:49am
Thread Starter 

Ah that makes more sense. 0404 looks quite tempting. But a separate volume control gizmo I wouldn't like if I end up going the separate devices way, it's either All-In-One or DAC + headphone amp with a volume controlled line out :3

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post #22 of 26
3/4/11 at 6:04am
Thread Starter 

Maverick Tube Magic D1 would seem like a sensible choice as far as all-in-one solutions go. It also has the precious analog input I'd like to use if I want to use the front active speakers in conjunction with some rear speakers, having the Creative Audigy SE 5.1 as source for surround.

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post #23 of 26
3/5/11 at 5:42am
Just got my Yamaha HS50Ms. The manual says the TRS connector accepts balanced and unbalanced inputs. There will be no problems with the 6db drop that JRG1990 talked about. (I was a bit worried about that initially. I bought them without knowledge of the unbalanced-to-balanced issue. The Yamaha website says both the inputs on the speakers are balanced only.)

I have them on my table currently and rather close to the wall, so am using the Room Control switch on them. Sound pretty good. Will need to buy stands though. Table is getting a bit cramped.
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post #24 of 26
3/5/11 at 6:23pm

The HS50 eh?

How are you liking its coconut-milky-white tone?

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post #25 of 26
3/5/11 at 7:43pm
Loving it!

I don't seem to experience any of that harshness/fatiguing people warned me about.
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post #26 of 26
3/5/11 at 9:47pm

Me neither when I auditioned them, but I did not like that tone they sport one bit.  Not my cup of tea.

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