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Novice needing some advice on what to buy DAC & AMP!

post #1 of 4
11/3/11 at 1:38pm
Thread Starter 

Hi I could really use some advice from the community on product selection; I’ve looking to purchase a DAC & AMP for first time. FYI I’m complete novice at this and I’m totally out of my element. I’ve been trying to educate myself as best as I can and I been hunting around on multiple sites looking for suggestions on what to buy but I’m confused by all possibilities, product features and specs. I’m trying to put together a desktop system that will suit my needs, my budget is around $1600.00 I already purchased a pair of Sennheiser HD 650Headphones now I’ve got to figure out what run them with. I’m considered the products listed below I hopping someone has experience with any of these units and can steer me in the right direction.   Like any consumer I want to get the best bang for the buck in terms of features and performance. So what will offer me that? Also I have this nagging question should go integrated DAC & AMP or separate?  Should I consider combining different products? Please any help would be much appreciated.   

 

Centrance DACmini CX

Centrance DACmini PX

Tube Magic DA & TubeMagic A1

Peachtree Decco2

Benchmark DAC1 PRE

Music Fidelity M1DAC & M1HPA   

BEL Canto E.One

 

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post #2 of 4
11/3/11 at 3:25pm

I hear great things about the DAC 1, but have not heard it for myself.  I use a Grace Audio m903 which is in your price range.  I find it an extraordinary DAC / amp combo with many great features.  It comes with a 5 year warranty which is a huge plus.  Another great DAC / amp combo is the Ultra Desktop Amp from Headroom.  It is built really well, super light weight, and provides deeper bass than the m903.  It has a very small footprint as well which is a big plus for computer listening.

 

I found that the HD-650 suffers from the following issues:

 

1.)  The frequency dependant impedance curve

http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=7&graphID[]=853

2.)  The choice of acoustic foam placed inside the ear cups

      Listed in their old booklet

3.)  The earcup geometry and choice of driver

 

I ended up with a pair of Denon AH-D2000 and Beyer DT990 ( 250 Ohm ) which sound much more forward.

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post #3 of 4
11/7/11 at 2:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pfgray2008 View Post

Hi I could really use some advice from the community on product selection; I’ve looking to purchase a DAC & AMP for first time. FYI I’m complete novice at this and I’m totally out of my element. I’ve been trying to educate myself as best as I can and I been hunting around on multiple sites looking for suggestions on what to buy but I’m confused by all possibilities, product features and specs. I’m trying to put together a desktop system that will suit my needs, my budget is around $1600.00 I already purchased a pair of Sennheiser HD 650Headphones now I’ve got to figure out what run them with. I’m considered the products listed below I hopping someone has experience with any of these units and can steer me in the right direction.   Like any consumer I want to get the best bang for the buck in terms of features and performance. So what will offer me that? Also I have this nagging question should go integrated DAC & AMP or separate?  Should I consider combining different products? Please any help would be much appreciated.   

 

Centrance DACmini CX

Centrance DACmini PX

Tube Magic DA & TubeMagic A1

Peachtree Decco2

Benchmark DAC1 PRE

Music Fidelity M1DAC & M1HPA   

BEL Canto E.One

 


I have the peachtree audio decco2, don't have the Sens but I have paired the amp/dac with my Denon D7000s and my Ultrasone 2900s and both sound awesome. I haven't tried any of the other dac/amps in your lineup, but if you can afford it the decco2 is a great unit. I also paired it with the peachtree audio speakers and the whole system just sound amazing! 

 


Edited by Ahzari - 11/8/11 at 9:20pm
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post #4 of 4
11/8/11 at 7:34am

You could always start out with a cheap Fiio E10 and take it from there? :) No need to spend that much on a DAC/AMP to make your HD650 shine. 

 

http://www.headfonia.com/the-latest-must-have-the-fiio-e10-usb-dacamp/

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