Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Best amp/dac Sennheiser 650 $350 budget.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Best amp/dac Sennheiser 650 $350 budget.

post #1 of 7
11/3/11 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 

Only read this part if you are about to comment about using the search button:

 

To start off I'd like to state that I'm quite familiar with the search function, and have lost the past week of my life scouring this forum and others for the best amp/dac for the money.  Unfortunatly, I'm extremely indecisive.  I read one thread that says great things about product X, but a couple of reviews bashing product X and suggesting product Y.  I then read up on product Y and people criticize the build quality and suggest product Z.  The product Z thread is full of raving reviews for product X.  As you can see, this forum is driving me crazy.

 

Main post:

 

The dilemma, I want the absolute best DAC/AMP combo possible for around $350 dollars to compliment my Sennheiser hd650s.  What is the best quality/price ratio I can get around this price range?  I'd really like to have an USB option; I don't want my macbook's excuse for a sound card anywhere near my music.. XD

 

-I was considering the yulong d100, but couldn't justify spending $500.

-The Travagan white seemed nice, but i know myself and would end up purchasing the black box down the line making the whole setup cost 385 dollars + shipping.  There is probably a better deal out there for that much money.

-The reviews for the NFB-12 seemed great, and the specs seemed awesome for the price but then I read this: http://www.headfonia.com/no-music-audio-gd-nfb-12/  I know its only one guy's opinion but...

-Yulong U100 seems to better reflect my price range, but I'm not too sure about it

 

Thanks for your time,

Tantoes

 

Edit: I realize there may not be an absolute winner, I just need some more input.

Edit2: Don't mind buying used at all (actually prefer it since that usually means better quality for the money).

Edit3:  I listen to a little bit of everything but favorite bands include Ra Ra Riot, Phoenix, ect.


Edited by Tantoes - 11/3/11 at 5:32pm
Reply
post #2 of 7
11/3/11 at 6:46pm
Thread Starter 

The used DR.DAC2 in the trades forum also looks pretty nice...

Reply
post #3 of 7
11/3/11 at 6:50pm

The CEntrance DACport is just out of your budget, but a very good choice.

 

If you use a computer as your source, you can get an Essence ST or STX card and get similar performance for $200.

 

How do you figure the NFB-12 has good specs? They only publish two things of note, SNR and power. The power is a good deal more than necessary, and might cause problems with channel balance at the inevitable low volume used. SNR tells a small story that's pretty pointless without dynamic range, noise, and distortion specs. I'd avoid it.

Reply
post #4 of 7
11/3/11 at 7:13pm
Thread Starter 

I was told to look at the NFB-12 because the WM8741 wolfson is apparently excellent, and the 12 seems to have all the features I could possibly want in the future + the price is right. 

 

Also, I'm looking for more a desktop setup, since I'm assuming that it is much more expensive to pack great quality into a small package.

 

I am open to anything though so I'l go look up some reviews on the CEntrance DACport and essence cards.


Edited by Tantoes - 11/3/11 at 7:18pm
Reply
post #5 of 7
11/3/11 at 7:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tantoes View Post

I was told to look at the NFB-12 because the WM8741 wolfson is apparently excellent, and the 12 seems to have all the features I could possibly want in the future + the price is right. 

 

Also, I'm looking for more a desktop setup, since I'm assuming that it is much more expensive to pack great quality into a small package.


The design itself is more important than the chip. Take the DIY Objective2 amp for example. Tons of opamps, most of them cheap, but measures better than anything in the price range. You could consider it if you're able to find someone to make one. I'm not sure who is offering to build them.

 

What matters is how the product performs, not its size or price. The DACport performs great despite its size, and the Essence cards perform great despite their form factor. Stereophile did some good tests on both so their performance is known (and I think they even use the HD650 as a benchmark headphone!), unlike the NFB-12 which is like buying mystery meat. Mystery meat with lots of good subjective reviews, but for me that's nothing to go on in a hobby as prone to bias as this one.

Reply
post #6 of 7
11/3/11 at 7:33pm

Well I own it - and really like it.  It's a nice pairing with my HD600s.  What I didn't like was the filter setting out of the box - was very warm and lacking in detail.  Changing the digital filter to a different mode made all the difference for me.

 

For me it was a noticeable improvement on my E7/E9 combo (since sold).

 

You've got to take every review with a grain of salt.  Headfonia didn't like it.  A lot of other reviewers do.  Go figure.  I also don't think Mike played much with the digital filters - would have been interesting if he had done.

 

I honestly don't know how it would go with the HD650 though - warm can, warm amp.  You might need to find an HD650 owner who's heard it.  Biggest thing for me was that the DAC looks good for the price, it has the right inputs and outputs, and I can eventually add a separate amp to it later on.  For the price - it was worth trying.  Glad I did.

Reply
post #7 of 7
11/3/11 at 7:53pm
Thread Starter 

The DIY objective2 amp is very interesting, currently seeing if it is cost effective to buy it already made, or if I have a winter break project..

 

Edit: Still looking for other thoughts/suggestions, although I am heavily considering the objective2 amp.


Edited by Tantoes - 11/3/11 at 9:13pm
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Best amp/dac Sennheiser 650 $350 budget.