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Looking for a DAC/Amp up to the $120 price range

post #1 of 11
12/22/11 at 2:23am
Thread Starter 

I am going to be powering the HD598's most likely. At first I thought of getting the E10 but since I can fork over more money for the DAC/Amp what should I consider getting? Is there anything better than E10 at this price point?

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post #2 of 11
12/22/11 at 3:59am

If you can stretch till $149 I would suggest the Music Streamer II (MS II for short). I have the E10 and the MS II and while the E10 has a far more powerful amp that can drive even my orthos, the MS II is simply better in practically all aspects with soundstage being the most noticeable difference. The other differences are there but less noticeable unless you have a very revealing source and good quality music but the MS II has a very wide soundstage (among the best in its class) while the E10 has a rather narrow soundstage (practically worst in its class) so the difference is noticeable.

 

The E10 does have beautiful mids which I ever so slightly prefer over the MS 2. So if you listen to a lot of vocal oriented music the E10 might suit you better.

 

In addition to the MS II DAC you will need a 3.5mm female to RCA male connector as it doesn't have a headphone out. Don't worry the MS II is USB powered so it wont do any thing terrible to your headphones if you connect your HD598 directly to the MS II with the 3.5mm to RCA connector

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post #3 of 11
12/22/11 at 4:17am

 

There is the finished DIY Asahi Texas AK4396 DAC for $106 incl. shipping.

 

 

User "dealsaddict" says he loves it and it sounds much more spacioius and resolving than his E10.

 

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post #4 of 11
12/22/11 at 4:31pm
Thread Starter 

Hey guys.

 

Thank You for Replying to this. Now to the Music Streamer II it looks like a great Amp. Is it also a DAC? 

The only online retailer I can buy my audiophile stuff is Amazon. I have a large gift card there that I would like to use for this. 

Are there any others in my price range worth buying? I tend to listen to my Pandora: Linkin Park & Frank Sintara Radio. 

If there is possible combination of DAC/AMP + Headphone that both total up to $300 dollars and offer better performance than the HD598's please offer now, I prefer open cans. 

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post #5 of 11
12/22/11 at 10:03pm

^^ The MS II is a DAC and not a headphone amp. However for a relatively easy to drive headphone like the HD598 an amp isnt really required.

 

The MS II is available on Amazon.com

 

About your second query I haven't heard anything in that price range so I cannot comment.

 

http://www.amazon.com/HRT-Music-Streamer-II-Resolution/dp/B0038O4UFQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324620210&sr=8-1

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post #6 of 11
12/22/11 at 10:31pm

 

kevin645, Audio Technica AD900 and Fiio E10 are popular choices.

 

 

I think the AD900 will be a good step up from the HD598 at least.

 

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post #7 of 11
12/23/11 at 11:04am
Thread Starter 

I have heard mixed reviews comparing the HD598's and the AD700s. The AD700's are toned to be more aggresive and ruff around the edges from what I have read, but the HD598's were well rounded.

 

If these beliefs are wrong care to explain what both of these headphones typically sound like, with amp/dac?

How is the amp section of the E10 compared to other amps? Especially the JDS Cmoy 

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post #8 of 11
12/23/11 at 11:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by brendon View Post

^^ The MS II is a DAC and not a headphone amp. However for a relatively easy to drive headphone like the HD598 an amp isnt really required.


A powerful amp isn't needed, but current is. Especially since the HD598 is low impedance. The line out of the MS II is going to have low current. It's designed to be connected to a 100 kohm amp input. The impedance of line outs also have high output impedance (like 100 ohms), which is very bad with the HD598 in particular.

 

I'd just get the E10, OP. It would serve you better.

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post #9 of 11
12/23/11 at 11:22am

Listen to the ponies, for they are so kind! and wise!!

 

I haven't heard the E10 or AD900 (not 700).

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post #10 of 11
12/23/11 at 11:45am

TOPPING D2 isn't too bad. I don't know how it compares with the Fiio though...

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post #11 of 11
12/23/11 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 

Is there any type of review for the Topping D2. 

Alriight so I have narrowed my options to these setups: HD598 + E10, AD900+ E10, HD598+Topping D2

The first setup will be the cheapest out of all three but which will I benefit the most out of? 

Again any advice on the amp section of the E10?

 

Edit: Hey guys I also just found the Topping T30 on amazon for a reasonable price. How does it compare to the E10 or other amps?


Edited by kevin645 - 12/23/11 at 2:17pm
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