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External DAC/AMP

post #1 of 9
10/7/11 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 

So got myself an Audio Technica A900 less than a year or so ago, and have been using my on board audio for most audio purposes. But would like to upgrade now.

Here is the thing, I know literally nothing about what I need. I know I would need a DAC + AMP for my headphones. I think that I would also need for those to be USB based. My budget is around $400 so any suggestion is very welcome.

I use a Fiio e7 with my iPod, but connected that to my computer and saw huge improvements. But I want a more permanent solution for my PC as my e7 will be attached to my iPod. Also I cannot have any internal sound card, simply due to the fact that my 2 GPUs are taking up all the slots.

Thanks for any help.

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post #2 of 9
10/7/11 at 12:53pm

I would save up for the Micro Stack.  This way you get a DAC and head amp both as separate components so the grounds will be more isolated from their corresponding power supplies ( cleaning sound ).  It is a combo that the reviewers at Headroom use a ton of the time so you it is dependable and of high quality.  It is going to run you about $675, but it will keep you from having to upgrade for quite a while.

http://www.headphone.com/packages/headroom-micro-amp--micro-dac-package.php

 

If you just cannot wait and do not have the budget then the CENtrance DACport would be a great option.  Some claim that the DACport provides better sound than the Bithead.  It sits at $400 which is right in your budget.  It has 120dB for a SNR and .0001% THD which are really nice numbers.

http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/centrance-dacport.php


Edited by NA Blur - 10/7/11 at 12:58pm
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post #3 of 9
10/7/11 at 7:47pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the reply! I will look into Micro Stack. Anything else that would be great.

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post #4 of 9
10/7/11 at 8:12pm

The DACport has a 10 ohm output impedance, not the best for your headphones. It's otherwise an excellent piece of equipment. The specs NA Blur quotes are misleading, though, and likely represent best case. CEntrance's own website publishes 0.0018% THD+N, a more useful figure, and 113dB dynamic range (effectively limiting the SNR). These are definitely good numbers regardless, and Stereophile made a pretty comprehensive set of measurements that show it's a good product.

 

There's also the Yulong D100 at around $500. I would take that over the Micro Stack, definitely. I don't trust the Headroom amps. Almost no specs. Don't buy a product you don't know anything about.

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post #5 of 9
10/10/11 at 5:15pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for that. I am looking into the D100. Looks really good, its a little above my price range, and with import duty I might have to wait a little to get it.

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post #6 of 9
10/10/11 at 5:49pm

Take a look at the Zero dac, priced around $100. A bang for the buck unit IMO. 

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post #7 of 9
10/30/11 at 10:49am
Thread Starter 

I have kind of an increased budget right now hence I am looking at these. What do you guys think?

 

So far I am looking into the following DACs:

 

- DACport LX
- Schiit Bifrost
- Maverick Audio Tube Magic D1

 

And these two amps:

- Schiit Valhalla
- Little Dot MK IV Tube amp

 

Leaning towards the Bifrost and the Valhalla, but if there are any other suggestions it would be great. Also, I don't know about much tube rolling or any of that. Any help is greatly appreciated.

A few more information that I thought would be helpful.

 

The type of Music I listen to:

- Classic Rock
- Modern Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Indie Rock and a little indie Pop
- Trance
- House
- Electro
- Other electronic music

 

Soon I might get a Beyer Dynamic DT880 or DT990; or a Sennhieser HD650; or a Denon D2000/D5000/D7000

 

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post #8 of 9
10/30/11 at 11:08am

Why get the DACport LX? The regular DACport has a plenty powerful headphone amp. You wouldn't need a separate one. Though you still might want to look elsewhere if you go for the Denon headphones because of its aforementioned output impedance. While objectively not a good thing with them, it'll do you less harm than tube distortion.

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post #9 of 9
10/30/11 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 

I did not know the difference between the DACport and the LX.

 

The Denons are on my list, but I don't think I will get the D7000 most likely the D5000 or something.

 

Just saw another DAC that I thought was pretty good. The Music Hall DAC 25.3. How is that one compared to the Bifrost?

 

EDIT: Add another Amp to the list Woo Audio 6 with the Sophia Princess upgrade (a little out of my price range, but oh well might be able to fit it in)


Edited by Azsamael - 10/30/11 at 4:53pm
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