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DAC/AMP recommendation for grado

post #1 of 12
7/26/11 at 8:46am
Thread Starter 

Hi,

 

currently I'm using this rig - hifiman ef2 with mullards tubes + grado sr60i/ ath m50.

I'm looking to upgrade my source, especially the dac section. Secondly I need optical in beside usb in.

So I'm stuck between two options.


1. Buy new dac for around $125-150 and use ef2 as an amp only. Here I was thinking of ZEROdac

 

2. Sell ef2 and buy completly new dac/amp combo for, lets say $300. Here I was thinking of audio-gd nfb12, matrix mini-i or even icon hdp.

 

I'm looking for neutral or slightly warm sound signature with more detail, air and dynamic than I've with my current setup. I listen mainly rock, sometimes jazz or rap.

 

Which option do you think is better way to go? Maybe you've got other dac recommendation? I'm open to all your suggestions.

 

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post #2 of 12
7/26/11 at 1:13pm

Zero > EF2

or Matrix Mini-i

 

Never tried the matrix, so I would say get a Zero, replace the stock opamp in the DAC section with ADA4627-1B.


Edited by Mad Max - 7/26/11 at 1:16pm
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post #3 of 12
7/26/11 at 1:38pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for reply.

Have you tried personally this opamp with grado headphones? I thought the best option for Zero is opa627 version. Zero is tempting, but I'm worried about the built quality, I've read about several issues with zero. You wouldn't recommend HDP for grado?

 

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post #4 of 12
7/26/11 at 1:57pm

4627 kills OPA627, but it is an smd chip and requires soldering to an adapter.  You could put up a FS ad in the sale forum for one.  2x ADA4627-1B on a 2x1 adapter.

OPA209 is another chip that I think matches well with Grados, but this one is also smd.  OPA627 is a DIP8 chip, so a socketed 2x1 DIP adapter is all you need for it.

I'm not talking about the amp section, that one can also change opamps.

I'm told OPA602B beats 4627 at clarity and transparency, but I won't know until I get around to trying it.

 

Nuforce HDP?  Never heard it, and I read it is bright-sounding.  It could be fatiguing with Grados.

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post #5 of 12
7/26/11 at 2:18pm
Thread Starter 

Now I've clearer view of this whole opamp thing. If I'll go with ZERO, I'll definitly have to check these opamps. In the next few days I'm going to check out hdp, Too bad I can't listen to zero before buying it. What about the built quality of ZERO?

 

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post #6 of 12
7/26/11 at 2:47pm

The EF2 amp supposedly scales with a DAC improvement, but have you considered getting better headphones? I liked the way the EF2 sounded with a pair of Grado SR80 and SR225. I think 60 > 225 (can find a 225 used for ~$150) is more of an improvement than getting a ~$125 DAC. Not sure about an upgrade path for the M50.

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post #7 of 12
7/26/11 at 3:02pm

A headphone upgrade is definitely a better idea! The EF2's DAC isn't amazing but it's not lacking either. "Upgrading" to the HRT Music Streamer II barely improved the sound.

 

 

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post #8 of 12
7/27/11 at 9:10am
Thread Starter 

Well I must say I didn't think about upgrading headphones, cause I'm very happy with my current grado. I'm also scarred little bit about getting higher grado, because it's said that they have more and more harsh trebles and less bass. I've checked my budget and maybe I could even afford sr325is, but they will have probably much more trebles and less bass compered to sr225i, am I right?

 

So to sum up: sr225i/sr325is + ef2 > sr60+ nfb12/matrix mini/hdp?

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post #9 of 12
7/27/11 at 12:17pm

Isn't SR325is supposed to be the bassiest before GS1k?

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post #10 of 12
7/27/11 at 1:14pm

I've found more/cleaner bass when going up in the Grado line. SR225 has better bass than the 80, RS2 better bass than the 225.

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post #11 of 12
7/27/11 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 

So you say it's worth paying extra money for sr325is?  Compered of course to sr225i.


Edited by agaro - 7/28/11 at 11:59am
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post #12 of 12
7/29/11 at 5:43am
Thread Starter 

Any other recommendations? Come on guys ;)

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