I recently purchased the AKG k702s and am really enjoying them. I previously had the Audio Technica AD700s and was playing them right off my uDAC (first generation). I'm playing the 702s off of the uDAC for now, and they sound great (as in, much better than the AD700s -- I haven't tried many high-end headphones). However, I've heard a lot about sounding even better with proper amping. After some looking around, I've almost settled on buying the Matrix M-Stage (as I've seen a lot of threads around here give them good reviews especially when paired with the 702s), but I have a few questions that I would first like to get clarified.
First off, would this be a good combination? My setup would be uDAC > M-Stage > AKG 702s. I also have a set of M-Audio Bx5a monitors, I could run those off of the M-stage, as well, correct? The two line inputs seem very helpful to me, too, as I then run both the uDAC and my turntable off the M-Stage.
I've also read about modding the op-amps in the M-Stage. I noticed that on Tam Audio's website that they offer a version of the M-Stage with the modding done already (albeit for a slight increase in price). Would it be worth it to get that one, instead? There's another version that includes a USB DAC, but I wouldn't need that because I have the uDAC, correct? I would imagine that the uDAC would be a better DAC than the one in the M-Stage, but I do not know for certain.
Lastly, are there any other amps that I should consider in this price range? I was looking at the FiiO e9, the Schiit Asgard and the Little Dot MkIV along with the M-Stage. From what I've read, though, the M-Stage seems to be the best for me, as it pairs especially well with the AKG 702s. Also, I am aware that there are definitely better amps out there, but I'm trying to limit my budget to around $250, with a $300 maximum.
Thanks in advance.
First off, would this be a good combination? My setup would be uDAC > M-Stage > AKG 702s. I also have a set of M-Audio Bx5a monitors, I could run those off of the M-stage, as well, correct? The two line inputs seem very helpful to me, too, as I then run both the uDAC and my turntable off the M-Stage.
I've also read about modding the op-amps in the M-Stage. I noticed that on Tam Audio's website that they offer a version of the M-Stage with the modding done already (albeit for a slight increase in price). Would it be worth it to get that one, instead? There's another version that includes a USB DAC, but I wouldn't need that because I have the uDAC, correct? I would imagine that the uDAC would be a better DAC than the one in the M-Stage, but I do not know for certain.
Lastly, are there any other amps that I should consider in this price range? I was looking at the FiiO e9, the Schiit Asgard and the Little Dot MkIV along with the M-Stage. From what I've read, though, the M-Stage seems to be the best for me, as it pairs especially well with the AKG 702s. Also, I am aware that there are definitely better amps out there, but I'm trying to limit my budget to around $250, with a $300 maximum.
Thanks in advance.
