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DAC/AMP for 200 bucks or under...

post #1 of 21
12/10/12 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 

Looking to make my HM5 headphones WOW me, and also to compliment future headphones.

 

I listen to all genres, and I love hearing everything with clarity and proper tone.

 

Aspects I'm looking for...

 

  • bass extension and grip
  • detail all over
  • reduced blurriness
  • better tone
  • more character

 

I'm not sure if this is possible with only 200 bucks... Also, I know I'm not using the best pair of headphones (even for the price range) to obtain the sound I'm looking for, but I also really need to increase the sound output of anything I plug my headphones into. 

 

Thanks!

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post #2 of 21
12/10/12 at 7:41pm
Thread Starter 

Are the aspects I listed even variables a DAC/AMP would even effect? 

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post #3 of 21
12/12/12 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 

Anyone?

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post #4 of 21
12/12/12 at 11:59am

Just announced and looks promising. LINK

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post #5 of 21
12/12/12 at 5:48pm
Thread Starter 

I couldn't figure out how to order the Schiit amp and DAC, also, I will be listening off of a computer, most of the time. Will the Schiit products be usable with my computer? I'm really new at all the audio stuff, and I have no idea how any of the amps and dacs work. 

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post #6 of 21
12/12/12 at 6:07pm
Thread Starter 

LOL. I never scrolled down in the website. 

 

What other products would I have to buy in order to use the magni and modi with my computer, and headphones that only have a single plug? (HM5 2-1 cable)

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post #7 of 21
12/12/12 at 6:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by headsounds View Post

I couldn't figure out how to order the Schiit amp and DAC, also, I will be listening off of a computer, most of the time. Will the Schiit products be usable with my computer? I'm really new at all the audio stuff, and I have no idea how any of the amps and dacs work. 

Yep. The Schiit mini stack should fit you just fine. bigsmile_face.gif Just get some cables. A USB and some RCA interconnects

and you're ready to go!

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post #8 of 21
12/12/12 at 6:47pm
Thread Starter 

A USB to headphone jack cable?

 

RCA interconnect cable? I found one 6ft long. I think I only need a few inches? I'm still really unclear what to try and find online.

 

Should I get a specific manufacturer for the cables? I want good quality, but I don't want to spend much on wire...

 

I emailed Schiit, and hopefully they'll be able to come up with an all-inclusive package for me!

 

Thanks!

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post #9 of 21
12/12/12 at 6:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by headsounds View Post

A USB to headphone jack cable?

 

RCA interconnect cable? I found one 6ft long. I think I only need a few inches? I'm still really unclear what to try and find online.

 

Should I get a specific manufacturer for the cables? I want good quality, but I don't want to spend much on wire...

 

I emailed Schiit, and hopefully they'll be able to come up with an all-inclusive package for me!

 

Thanks!

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

 

You'll need a USB cable for connecting your computer to Modi (it's an USB only DAC).

And you'll also need RCA cables to connect Modi to Magni.

 

Depending on price, etc. Schiit sells the PYST RCA's using Straightwire. A good cable and nicely priced, ( I believe they are 2m cables).

 

But no, you don't need specific wire, get whatever you want or what your budget can accomodate. 

 

BJC and TecNec are nice alternatives to Monoprice.

 

And pickup a USB cable from Monoprice or Amazon...


Edited by paradoxper - 12/12/12 at 7:02pm
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post #10 of 21
12/13/12 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the clarification. That makes waaay more sense!

 

The cables schiit sells are 6 inches long, but there is an option to make them balanced? and that extends the cable length to 9 inches. 

 

Do I need balanced cables?

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post #11 of 21
12/13/12 at 10:09am
Nope. Just some monoprice RCA's will work beautifully.
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post #12 of 21
12/13/12 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 

Thanks doc!

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post #13 of 21
12/13/12 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 

I think I found the usb cable I need... is this correct?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LOT-OF-4-Monoprice-3-ft-2-0-USB-Cable-Male-A-Male-B-Free-Shipping-/180971722817

 

 

I'm just going to use the RCA cables that schiit sells, since I don't want a long cable, and on other sites, I can't enter under 1 foot... oh well.

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post #14 of 21
12/13/12 at 12:30pm
Cool. Monoprice does carry a 1.5 foot premium rca if you are interessted.

Yes those USB cables will work. It is basically a standard USB printer cable.
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post #15 of 21
12/13/12 at 2:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by headsounds View Post

I think I found the usb cable I need... is this correct?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LOT-OF-4-Monoprice-3-ft-2-0-USB-Cable-Male-A-Male-B-Free-Shipping-/180971722817

 

 

I'm just going to use the RCA cables that schiit sells, since I don't want a long cable, and on other sites, I can't enter under 1 foot... oh well.

A simple USB cable will be fine.The Schiit PYST RCA's shouldn't be a problem, if you're worried about having too much cable.

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