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Amp Recomendation?

post #1 of 67
11/17/12 at 12:03pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, im looking for a new desktop amp. Not looking for anything gigantic or immensely expensive. Im currently using my Denon D5000s, and am looking for something to replace my E7/E10 combo.

Sound wise im looking for something fun and engaging, good amounts of bass, but still clean and powerful enough to power possibly some hifiman he-500s. Is this possible, or are the two too far apart in terms of sound and power?

Im looking at buying some new phones, namely the he-500s, so thats the reason for the amp to be suitable. Currently im looking at the nuuforce icon hd/hdp, or the schiit lyr, as ive heard good things of both. Size wise im looking around those sizes, including price, really no more than $400USD. And it would be awesome to be a DAC at the same time, as im using my computer as a source.

Any suggestions? Thanks, DD.
Edited by Deathdeisel - 11/18/12 at 8:49pm
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post #2 of 67
11/17/12 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deathdeisel View Post

Hey guys, im looking for a new desktop amp. Not looking for anything gigantic or immensely expensive. Im currently using my Denon D5000s, and am looking for something to replace my E7/E10 combo.

Sound wise im looking for something fun and engaging, good amounts of bass, but still clean and powerful enough to power possibly some hifiman he-500s. Is this possible, or are the two too far apart in terms of sound and power?

Im looking at buying some new phones, namely the he-500s, so thats the reason for the amp to be suitable. Currently im looking at the nuuforce icon hd/hdp, or the schiit lyr, as ive heard good things of both. Size wise im looking around those sizes, including price, really no kore than 400. And it would be awesome to be a DAC at the same time, as im using my computer as a source.

Any suggestions? Thanks, DD.

 

For a neutral, transparent, and relatively inexpensive combination, in a small case, consider the ODAC+O2 combo (US$285). It will definitely allow you to get everything the D5000 and HE-500 are capable of delivering. There are several threads at Head-Fi discussing them; you can safely ignore the IC- and wire-rollers who post there.

 

If you're looking for electronics which will enhance existing or add additional bass -- it's not clear to me if this is what you're seeking -- skip the ODAC+O2.

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post #3 of 67
11/17/12 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 
Well one thing i noticed was significantly different with the icon hdp was the bass of the d5s was much more pronounced, had more impact, and quantity. Is this generally uncommon of amps?
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post #4 of 67
11/18/12 at 10:08am
Thread Starter 

Anyone else have a recommendation?

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post #5 of 67
11/18/12 at 12:37pm

I'm a big fan of the ODAC and O2 as well. 

 

Make use of colored headphones and EQ to get any bass boost you want.. Not the amp. what if you decide you don't want bass boost 24/7? You are stuck buying a new amp :)

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post #6 of 67
11/18/12 at 4:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deathdeisel View Post

Well one thing i noticed was significantly different with the icon hdp was the bass of the d5s was much more pronounced, had more impact, and quantity. Is this generally uncommon of amps?

 

You may want to look for more information about electrical damping and damping factor. It may help explain differences in bass response.

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post #7 of 67
11/18/12 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrislangley4253 View Post

I'm a big fan of the ODAC and O2 as well. 

 

Make use of colored headphones and EQ to get any bass boost you want.. Not the amp. what if you decide you don't want bass boost 24/7? You are stuck buying a new amp :)

My only issue is which EQ to use. I usually am running a few different means of music playing, like spotify, pandora, etc. Is there any way to EQ everything that comes out of my computer? 

Quote:
Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca View Post

 

You may want to look for more information about electrical damping and damping factor. It may help explain differences in bass response.

What do you mean? Im not following. Do you mean something like adding resistors to certain headphones to change the sound a bit? 

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post #8 of 67
11/18/12 at 8:49pm
Thread Starter 

Okay, so far my options are 

 

http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46

 
 
Are there any others I should consider that are worth the money?USD $250-400?
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post #9 of 67
11/18/12 at 9:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deathdeisel View Post

Okay, so far my options are 

 

http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46

 
 
Are there any others I should consider that are worth the money?USD $250-400?

Schiit Asgard + ODAC?

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post #10 of 67
11/18/12 at 9:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

Schiit Asgard + ODAC?

voldemort just turned in his objective grave.

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post #11 of 67
11/18/12 at 9:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrislangley4253 View Post

voldemort just turned in his objective grave.

What?

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post #12 of 67
11/18/12 at 9:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfetan44 View Post

What?

Voldemort is a reference to the designer of the Odac. Hopefully I don't get in trouble for explaining that.. I don't think I'm really allowed to mention him. But, his products are so.. prominent on here, it's kinda hard to avoid doing so. So, he has a few nicknames. *shrugs*

 

He wasn't very fond of schiit audio. So, he'd be at least partially upset at seeing his design coupled with one of their amps.

Also, he hasn't posted anything in forever. That's kind of a part of the pun too.. I'm calling him dead.
 

I think it makes sense. It's kinda late confused_face.gif


Edited by chrislangley4253 - 11/18/12 at 9:46pm
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post #13 of 67
11/18/12 at 9:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrislangley4253 View Post

Voldemort is a reference to the designer of the Odac. Hopefully I don't get in trouble for explaining that.. I don't think I'm really allowed to mention him. But, his products are so.. prominent on here, it's kinda hard to avoid doing so. So, he has a few nicknames. *shrugs*

 

He wasn't very fond of schiit audio. So, he'd be at least partially upset at seeing his design coupled with one of their amps.

Also, he hasn't posted anything in forever. That's kind of a part of the pun too.. I'm calling him dead.
 

I think it makes sense. It's kinda late confused_face.gif

Ah, gotcha.

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post #14 of 67
11/18/12 at 10:02pm

All that being said, I don't have a personal agenda against schiit.. I've never heard any of their stuff... And it all has at least one thing going for it, aesthetics. Man, their stuff looks cool.

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post #15 of 67
11/18/12 at 10:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrislangley4253 View Post

All that being said, I don't have a personal agenda against schiit.. I've never heard any of their stuff... And it all has at least one thing going for it, aesthetics. Man, their stuff looks cool.

How do you like the O2? I'm getting one for Christmas.. Woo stuff looks coolerbiggrin.gif

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