[Suggestions] Looking for new open-back headphones...
Oct 2, 2011 at 9:22 AM Post #31 of 38

It's fairly new, but check out the new Audio-gd NFB-10SE. Not sure how the DAC compares to yours, but it's cheaper than the Lyr (at its intro price right now) at $499.
 
[size=x-small]9950MW /  25 ohm [/size]
[size=x-small]5950MW /  50 ohm 
 3300MW  /  100 ohm
1150MW / 300 ohm
590MW  /  600 ohm[/size]
 
[size=x-small]And gives you balanced options, and filter options if you want some different sound. Just another possible suggestion. I'm sure some reviews will be hitting soon on it (I know at least mine will after it gets here), but it's getting nothing but praise impressions wise right now.[/size]
 
[size=x-small]I emailed them before I bought it and they said intro price should sit for around 2 months.[/size]
 
 
EDIT: When I talk about a receiver I don't mean something new. Vintage Receivers have quite the following around here because of their ability to pretty much give you all the power you need at a good price...and look sexy doing it. Disadvantage is that they're big and heavy. 40-60 pounds most of the time. 
 
Marantz 2238
 
 
Quote:
jasio said:
You make an interesting point here- and this is where I am confused the most by far. You mention that the amp should have no less than 2 watts output- okay that makes sense. When I look at headphone amps I can usually find out what their output wattage is. However, on the other hand you also suggested an alternative: Using a receiver and taking advantage of its amplification and just plugging the headphones in to the 1/4" jack on the front- but I am finding it very difficult to locate what the output wattage is of these headphone jacks. Considering that the "high end" amp in my sound card can just manage 1.5 watts- I would assume most inexpensive receivers wouldn't be able to match that. 
 
That being said, the best bang for buck seems to be the Schiit Lyr- as it is designed to feed the hungry HE-6/HE-5LE/LCD-2.
 
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Oct 2, 2011 at 11:12 AM Post #32 of 38


Quote:
jasio said:
That being said, the best bang for buck seems to be the Schiit Lyr- as it is designed to feed the hungry HE-6/HE-5LE/LCD-2.
 
Click to expand...



Another to consider (I am) is the HiFiMan EF5.  It can also push any planer magnetic you throw at it...
 
...But here we go again; taking your original budget and blowing it through the roof.
 
Oct 2, 2011 at 11:28 AM Post #33 of 38
Well the Audio-gd NFB-10SE is $499, the Hifiman EF5 is $499, and the Lyr is $449. 
 
Now the Audio-gd seems to be a DAC/Amp in one box which makes it the best value (Schiit Bifrost is another $349). 
 
Do I need a DAC in the first place? Unfortunately Schiit cannot comment on "competitors products" so they could not tell me if there is any appreciable difference between the Texas Instruments PCM1792A DAC (24/192 KHz / 127 dB (2 V rms, > Stereo) on my sound card and the AKM4399 32-bit DAC on the Bifrost. But it appears that the Texas Instruments DAC (on paper) is better. The WM8741 DAC used on the Audio-gd looks to be very close/almost identical to the Texas Instruments in terms of performance figures, and you get the benefit of the amp/dac in one package - so MorbidToaster your suggestion is by far the most cost effective.
 
Oct 2, 2011 at 11:38 AM Post #34 of 38
Another suggestion is the Yulong D100. I think the D100 is the piece of gear I regret selling off so quickly the most. It's a wonderful little DAC/Amp combo with a bunch of options, but with the 10SE out there now we'll have to see 1v1 comparisons to see if the Yulong holds up.
 
I'm really just trying to present you with some options here. Never want to get too much tunnel vision. Granted having a lot to choose from makes it harder to choose...but research is half the fun of a purchase.
 
Quote:
jasio said:
Well the Audio-gd NFB-10SE is $499, the Hifiman EF5 is $499, and the Lyr is $449. 
 
Now the Audio-gd seems to be a DAC/Amp in one box which makes it the best value (Schiit Bifrost is another $349). 
 
Do I need a DAC in the first place? Unfortunately Schiit cannot comment on "competitors products" so they could not tell me if there is any appreciable difference between the Texas Instruments PCM1792A DAC (24/192 KHz / 127 dB (2 V rms, > Stereo) on my sound card and the AKM4399 32-bit DAC on the Bifrost. But it appears that the Texas Instruments DAC (on paper) is better. The WM8741 DAC used on the Audio-gd looks to be very close/almost identical to the Texas Instruments in terms of performance figures, and you get the benefit of the amp/dac in one package - so MorbidToaster your suggestion is by far the most cost effective.
Click to expand...



 
 
 
Oct 2, 2011 at 11:48 AM Post #35 of 38
$500 really seems to be a sweet spot for these amps, particularly the Audio-gd and Yulong which are a DAC/Amp combination. So many choices...
 
Oct 2, 2011 at 11:55 AM Post #36 of 38
One thing to remember: The 10SE is at an intro price right now. I believe it will be 700 when the promotion is over.
 
Quote:
jasio said:
$500 really seems to be a sweet spot for these amps, particularly the Audio-gd and Yulong which are a DAC/Amp combination. So many choices...
Click to expand...



 
 
 
Oct 2, 2011 at 12:28 PM Post #37 of 38


Quote:
morbidtoaster said:
One thing to remember: The 10SE is at an intro price right now. I believe it will be 700 when the promotion is over. 
 
 
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 Due to shipping costs and import duties I'm waiting on a reply from the Schiit and Hifiman UK distributor to see if the 10SE is worth it [it easily easily be $800 with shipping+VAT]. 
 
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