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Need Help finding DAC/ Headphone amp around $200

post #1 of 7
1/15/12 at 7:59am
Thread Starter 

 

I am looking for a DAC/Amp to drive my Grado Sr225i's,(pretty easy to drive). I am more interested in the sound quality of the DAC, I will be sourcing from my laptop and so i need something with a USB input. A major bonus feature for me is having a 1/4 inch jack because any adapters i have tried to use have broken easily. Three amps i was looking at were the Hi-Fi Man EF2A, the Maverick Audio TubeMagic DAC/Amp and for about twice the price, a NuForce Icon HD! I would like to know if one of the cheaper options (Hi-Fi Man or TubeMagic) would sound better than the other or if there would be enough of an improvement to warrant spending an extra 150-200 dollars. If there are any other DAC/Amps that would sound better for around the same price I am open to suggestion. 

 

I listen mostly to rock/alternative but I have a lot of rap and electronic too, so bass is kind of important and is somewhat lacking on the Grados, A bass boost feature would be nice

Thank you for your input!L3000.gif

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post #2 of 7
1/15/12 at 2:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Audiophile2 View Post

 

I am looking for a DAC/Amp to drive my Grado Sr225i's,(pretty easy to drive). I am more interested in the sound quality of the DAC, I will be sourcing from my laptop and so i need something with a USB input. A major bonus feature for me is having a 1/4 inch jack because any adapters i have tried to use have broken easily. Three amps i was looking at were the Hi-Fi Man EF2A, the Maverick Audio TubeMagic DAC/Amp and for about twice the price, a NuForce Icon HD! I would like to know if one of the cheaper options (Hi-Fi Man or TubeMagic) would sound better than the other or if there would be enough of an improvement to warrant spending an extra 150-200 dollars. If there are any other DAC/Amps that would sound better for around the same price I am open to suggestion. 

 

I listen mostly to rock/alternative but I have a lot of rap and electronic too, so bass is kind of important and is somewhat lacking on the Grados, A bass boost feature would be nice

Thank you for your input!L3000.gif


Portable? i see u have the Maverick D1 on ur list. most like it here..but it's not portable and this is the portable thread However if you not only want great amp and DAC but also portability. The E17 Alpen is for you. Any other questions?

 


Edited by bowei006 - 2/7/12 at 11:36am
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post #3 of 7
1/15/12 at 11:25pm
The iBasso D7 is very good sounding DAC/AMPs(can rival entry level desktop DAC/AMPs) and amazing value for the price with portability.
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post #4 of 7
2/7/12 at 9:06am

what you want to be getting is the fiio e7 it's perfect for what you will be using it for it's a dac headphone amp with a bass boost..check it out on the what hifi website look under "headphone amps" it retails at £65 in england and i know you can buy it from amazon for less supposed to be really good for the price..what hifi rated it at 5 stars..and they would know a thing or two about dac headphone amps!


Edited by our martin - 2/7/12 at 10:30am
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post #5 of 7
2/7/12 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by our martin View Post

what you want to be getting is the fiio e7 it's perfect for what you will be using it for it's a dac headphone amp with a bass boost..check it out on the what hifi website look under "headphone amps" it retails at £65 in england and i know you can buy it from amazon for less supposed to be really good for the price..what hifi rated it at 5 stars..and they would know a thing or two about dac headphone amps!



this thread is weeks old. usually we let it die or something if the OP doesn't respond. but i guess it's good that you are trying. he is looking for a high quality one. the E17 is really it.

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post #6 of 7
2/7/12 at 4:18pm

bowie006 thanks for the heads up on the new fiio e17 alpen looks quite good and a nice price aswell...

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post #7 of 7
2/7/12 at 4:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by our martin View Post

bowie006 thanks for the heads up on the new fiio e17 alpen looks quite good and a nice price aswell...



yes it is. i am very active on the E17 thread on head fi. if you have any questions on anything feel free to ask in the thread or pm me or something

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