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Few question about integrated sound & two amps (Fiio E9 & Schiit Asgard)

post #1 of 6
12/22/11 at 2:36pm
Thread Starter 

'Ello, I'm aware that questions like these get asked very often, and I have searched before asking.

 

My main source is my computers integrated sound, so would it be wiser for me to get E9 + E7, and not use the integrated sound, or use the integrated sound chip and buy just the Schiit amp.

 

Or are there any other dac/amp combinations for $300?

I'm using Beyerdynamic DT770/80 pros, and from what I've read they don't benefit that much from an amp, but I'm probably going to buy some Sennheisers/Grados later on.

 

Thanks :J.

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post #2 of 6
12/22/11 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JereHakala View Post
'Ello, I'm aware that questions like these get asked very often, and I have searched before asking.

My main source is my computers integrated sound, so would it be wiser for me to get E9 + E7, and not use the integrated sound, or use the integrated sound chip and buy just the Schiit amp.

Or are there any other dac/amp combinations for $300?

I'm using Beyerdynamic DT770/80 pros, and from what I've read they don't benefit that much from an amp, but I'm probably going to buy some Sennheisers/Grados later on.

Thanks :J.

DT770 Pro 80-Ohm only sound their best when using a headphone amplifier.

If all you do is use stereo 2.0 channel sound, like for music, then the Fiio E10 ($80) USB/DAC/headphone amplifier would work nicely.

 

The Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card is only $20-$30, comes with a headphone amplifier rated up to 150-Ohms.

Will not be as good a headphone amplifier as the E10, but does come with Dolby Headphone for surround sound for movies and games.

 

Nothing wrong with the Fiio E9/E7 combo, if your willing to spend the $185.

 

Motherboard built in sound is not going to have a great DAC, so it's not going to feed the Schiit a great analog signal.

You might want to look into an external DAC to go along with the Schiit.

 

Or just get the Asus Xonar Essence STX (PCI-Express) sound card ($180), no need for anything else.

With the Essence STX, you can upgrade the 3 op-amps for $15-$40.

The Essence comes with a headphone amplifier rated up to 600-Ohm.

Comes with Dolby Headphone.

Can play full audio (24/192) for Blu-ray movies.
 

 

 


Edited by PurpleAngel - 12/22/11 at 5:20pm
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post #3 of 6
12/22/11 at 5:11pm

I would suggest grabbing a NuForce uDAC-2 ($130 US) or similar USB DAC with 2V (or greater) RCA outputs to connect to the Schitt Asgard ($250 US).  That might beat the heck out of your budget, but this combo will allow you to use just about any computer to get a relatively good quality sound capable of driving a wide range of headphones.

 

For under $400, you would have yourself a very competent setup, and one that would you would probably find a use for later, if you ever decide to upgrade in the future. 

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post #4 of 6
12/23/11 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 


Thanks for the suggestions

Quote:
Originally Posted by sonitus mirus View Post

I would suggest grabbing a NuForce uDAC-2 ($130 US) or similar USB DAC with 2V (or greater) RCA outputs to connect to the Schitt Asgard ($250 US).  That might beat the heck out of your budget, but this combo will allow you to use just about any computer to get a relatively good quality sound capable of driving a wide range of headphones.

 

For under $400, you would have yourself a very competent setup, and one that would you would probably find a use for later, if you ever decide to upgrade in the future. 



Hmm, I was thinking of getting the Schiit and a Behringer UCA202 or a Fiio D3, then later on a better dac.

Not sure so, so many choices..

E: Actually I think I get the Tubemagic D1 by mav-audio :o


Edited by JereHakala - 12/24/11 at 4:33am
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post #5 of 6
12/24/11 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 

Bump and another question:

 

Fiio E9 + E10 or Maveric Audio Tubemagic D1? OR cheapo dac and Schiit asgard?

Or maybe Audio-GD NFB-12

So many choises, oh god..


Edited by JereHakala - 12/24/11 at 3:23pm
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post #6 of 6
12/24/11 at 4:07pm
On same boat, which would be better to get my k702 to it full potential:

FIIO D3 + E9 combo (don't want E7, already got PA2v2 as portable amp)

Xonar STX

Will probably buy one of these after the new year.
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