Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Computer Audio › This Question May Sound Stupid
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

This Question May Sound Stupid

post #1 of 8
11/17/11 at 2:16am
Thread Starter 

Hi to all,

 

I'm a beginner audiophile that's just struggling with his first setup. My goal is listening to music via my computer using foobar2k. My speakers are Microlab Solo7C and my highest impedance headphones are Superlux HD660 which are rated at 150ohms.

 

My question is "What will be a better setup from the two written below?"

 

1) Realtek ALC889A onboard > Behringer MINIAMP AMP800 studio headphone amp (through Realtek's front speakes output) > Superlux HD660

                                                                          |

                                                                          |> Microlab Solo7C (through Behringer's link Connector)

 

                                                                         or

 

2) Fiio E10 > Superlux HD660

          |

          |> Microlab Solo7C (through Fiio line out)

Reply
post #2 of 8
11/17/11 at 2:39am

DACs improve sound quality while AMPs increase the dB.

Reply
post #3 of 8
11/17/11 at 3:13am
Thread Starter 

Fiio E10 is a DAC and a headphone amp that also has a line out to be connected to powered speakers. My question was what will be a better overall solution?

Reply
post #4 of 8
11/17/11 at 3:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hal Rockwell View Post

Hi to all,

 

I'm a beginner audiophile that's just struggling with his first setup. My goal is listening to music via my computer using foobar2k. My speakers are Microlab Solo7C and my highest impedance headphones are Superlux HD660 which are rated at 150ohms.

 

My question is "What will be a better setup from the two written below?"

 

1) Realtek ALC889A onboard > Behringer MINIAMP AMP800 studio headphone amp (through Realtek's front speakes output) > Superlux HD660

                                                                          |

                                                                          |> Microlab Solo7C (through Behringer's link Connector)

 

                                                                         or

 

2) Fiio E10 > Superlux HD660

          |

          |> Microlab Solo7C (through Fiio line out)

 

Your goal is to listen to music via your computer. If you want sound quality, go for option number 2. If you think you need more power for the headphone, go for the amp. 
 

 

Reply
post #5 of 8
11/17/11 at 6:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikp View Post

DACs improve sound quality while AMPs increase the dB.


DACs do not 'improve sound quality', since there is no 'sound quality' before the DA conversion.  Amps do rather more than increase decibels; much more importantly, they affect how responsively the diaphragm of the headphone or speaker is controlled. 

 

But yes, the E10 would be a better start than the onboard.

Reply
post #6 of 8
11/17/11 at 6:04am

It'll probably be better to go with 2 and skip the onboard altogether.

Reply
post #7 of 8
11/17/11 at 1:28pm
Thread Starter 

If the Fiio DAC section quality is worse than the onboard Realtek that I rather stick to the onboard and buy the Behringer amp. But, if the Fiio DAC has better quality than the Realtek than I rather go for the Fiio.

Reply
post #8 of 8
11/17/11 at 3:31pm

Err the Wolfston based DAC in that E10 is definitely a step up compared to onboard and the peeps at Headfonia compare it favourably against the pricier Audinst HUD-MX1

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

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Computer Audio
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Computer Audio › This Question May Sound Stupid