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DAC suggestions?

post #1 of 8
10/5/11 at 3:37pm
Thread Starter 

I got a pair of Ultrasone HFI-580's about a month ago that I paired with a HT|Omega Claro PLUS+, but I'm selling my rig in two days (hopefully the sale goes smoothly).  So I'll be buying a macbookpro with the proceeds + some of my own money but I figure a DAC would be a needed addition for the sound quality I want (while not breaking the budget).

 

I've already been referred the Fiio E7, but I wanted to come here and see what else I'd be suggested.  Budget is under $100, preferably cheaper.

 

And if it matters (not sure if it's something that's taken to mind when suggesting), I listen to a lot of house, trance, ambient electronic music.  But I also listen to folk, alternative.  I basically have a very eclectic taste in music.

 

Suggestions (Needs to be compliant with current headphones and a macbookpro)?

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post #2 of 8
10/6/11 at 1:41am

For a hundred bucks, you might not find a dac that is noticeably better than your Mac's, imo.  Get a uDac-2 HP if you insist.

 

-Daniel

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post #3 of 8
10/10/11 at 5:00am

The newer fiio e10 seems to be better than the e7 from initial impressions, would be best if you could try for yourself.

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post #4 of 8
10/10/11 at 6:03am

My suggestion is to get good headphones first. A good DAC wont make any difference if your headphones aren't that great. smile.gif

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post #5 of 8
10/11/11 at 5:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currawong View Post

My suggestion is to get good headphones first. A good DAC wont make any difference if your headphones aren't that great. smile.gif


X2, imo it should be headphones>dac>amp in that order of purchase.

 

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post #6 of 8
10/11/11 at 7:15am

Synergy between the 3 can't be overstated either....it's vital! 

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post #7 of 8
10/11/11 at 4:14pm

I'd agree.. get headphones first.. I went the other way, dac/amp -> headphones.. i found with most new computers.. the onboard sound isnt that bad at all.. 

 

So when i got the HD650, I was pretty happy with the dac/amp.. tried it on the computer and went.. hey this is pretty darn good too..

Maybe HD650's are easy to drive and whatnot.. (i have the Audio-gd NFB-5)

 

but to put numbers to it... (all for the better)

HD555-> HD650 gave a 40% sound difference.

Computer -> Dac/amp gave a 10% sound difference

TV out -> Dac/Amp gave a 15% sound difference.

 

of course.. these are to my ears which I dont think are very resolving at all.. and i'm a definite noob to audiophilia :)

 

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post #8 of 8
10/11/11 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by quasio View Post

HD555-> HD650 gave a 40% sound difference.

Computer -> Dac/amp gave a 10% sound difference

TV out -> Dac/Amp gave a 15% sound difference.

 

of course.. these are to my ears which I dont think are very resolving at all.. and i'm a definite noob to audiophilia :)

 



For me with my rig now, which is very humble, I added the Fiio E7/E9 combo to plug my Beyer DT 990 Pro headphones into....and compared to the laptop out or the tv out which I had been using previously - or even compared to the E7 on it's own - the combination of the E7+E9 for me was night and day with my headphones and my ears. It took away a lot of the harshness in the highs and bass, made the highs sound somehow sweet, made the bass sound tuneful and well behaved yet impactful when needed, and it also brought forward a ton of little details and mids focus but it also showed a lot of sure footedness in the instrument separation too.  

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