enochtesta
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2011
- Posts
- 20
- Likes
- 10
I have read some of the posts here about HD598 and I still cannot get the answer of how to choose a suitable dac/amp for HD598.
Here's the situation.
I bought the HD598 a year ago and I have tried a lot of dac and dac combos for the HD598. Since this is the first time I bought a headphone (in the past I was just using a Sony earphone for about US$40 ), I think I chose the wrong headphone. I am not saying that the HD598 does not suit me because before buying it I thought I will be using the headphone without a dac/amp. But then when I found out that my HD598 do need a dac, I started to regret for my decision.
I tried the filo series(e7,e9 etc.), nuforce, fire stone( 4,fubar 2 usb dac), and finally X-can v8p and M1 HPA.
I have to say that I cannot stand the quality of the dacs before the X-can v8p on my above list. It sounds much better for the X-can v8p with HD598 but with narrower soundstage compared to the M1 HPA. The only thing I am not satisfied with the M1 HPA is the bass. The bass is too much when using HD598 since I like all the fequencies(low, middle and high) to be balanced. This makes me feel that M1 HPA with HD598 is too dark for hearing female vocals. I am wondering if this can be solved by adjusting the EQ.
I have to say that M1 HPA did a great job and I would buy it if the problem mentioned can be solved, but it seems that using M1 HPA with HD598 is a bit of waste. I may buy a new headphone about 2 years later since I have never tried a high nominal impedance headphone yet. It seems that when I am having a dac/amp it would be better for me to get something like HD800( to me, HD600 or HD650 have too much bass) or headphones at the range of $600. This means that I need a more powerful dac in the future.
So here's my questions:
1.What dac/amp/combo shall I buy in order to suit the HD598? Or I have to consider my headphone upgrade two years lager(buying a more powerful dac)?
2.I am not sure if I should buy a dac or a combo. My friends said that combo is simplier but having less variety of sound( as dac and amp cannot be changed in a combo). If my budget is less than US$800, what are my choices?
Thanks a lot.
====================================================
Now I think I shall buy a dac maximum $400-$500 and an amp for $150-$250.
P.S. Just a reminder, I want a broad and balanced sound.
P.S.2 In addition to the amp: It would be nice to have the RCA input, but this is not a must, so please recommend any amp you know that can suit the HD598.
Thanks.
Here's the situation.
I bought the HD598 a year ago and I have tried a lot of dac and dac combos for the HD598. Since this is the first time I bought a headphone (in the past I was just using a Sony earphone for about US$40 ), I think I chose the wrong headphone. I am not saying that the HD598 does not suit me because before buying it I thought I will be using the headphone without a dac/amp. But then when I found out that my HD598 do need a dac, I started to regret for my decision.
I tried the filo series(e7,e9 etc.), nuforce, fire stone( 4,fubar 2 usb dac), and finally X-can v8p and M1 HPA.
I have to say that I cannot stand the quality of the dacs before the X-can v8p on my above list. It sounds much better for the X-can v8p with HD598 but with narrower soundstage compared to the M1 HPA. The only thing I am not satisfied with the M1 HPA is the bass. The bass is too much when using HD598 since I like all the fequencies(low, middle and high) to be balanced. This makes me feel that M1 HPA with HD598 is too dark for hearing female vocals. I am wondering if this can be solved by adjusting the EQ.
Thanks a lot.
====================================================
Now I think I shall buy a dac maximum $400-$500 and an amp for $150-$250.
P.S. Just a reminder, I want a broad and balanced sound.
P.S.2 In addition to the amp: It would be nice to have the RCA input, but this is not a must, so please recommend any amp you know that can suit the HD598.
Thanks.
