Hey everyone, I currently own the ATH-M40X headphones, and am planning on getting some new ones soon. But I have come to a decision an amp and DAC would be good to own since I am an audio fan what do you guys suggest for an amp/DAC for under $150 CAD? Or would seperate be better? Give your opinions! Thanks everyone!

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Monoprice Amp/DAC would be a good starter amp/DAC combo. Quiet, good input/output options, easy to set up and has a bit of a warmer tonality which should play well with a can like M40X. If you want something more simple then Fiio E10K USB DAC/Amp is great as well. 

I've heard mixed reviews about the E10K, I like all the features of it, but it doesn't have RCA for my speakers could I make something using the coaxial out to RCA?

The Coaxial out would be digital out, thus won't work as a DAC to your speakers. It does have a line out however, that you can take a mini to rca cable with and provide lineout to your powered speakers. 
 
The said Monoprice offers line out as well as pre-out if you'd like to control the volume using it as well. Hard to find a DAC/amp combo at that price with all its feature set.

k_19 said:

  The Coaxial out would be digital out, thus won't work as a DAC to your speakers. It does have a line out however, that you can take a mini to rca cable with and provide lineout to your powered speakers. 
 
The said Monoprice offers line out as well as pre-out if you'd like to control the volume using it as well. Hard to find a DAC/amp combo at that price with all its feature set.

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I've heard on some reviews that the Monoprice has distortion after a certain volume level, is that true? Also, will it pair well with the K7XX? I'm planning on getting that too

muffinsofgump said:

  I've heard on some reviews that the Monoprice has distortion after a certain volume level, is that true? Also, will it pair well with the K7XX? I'm planning on getting that too

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I've owned it for about a week or so and it's amped my K702's with absolutely no distortion or clipping at all and has dead quiet background, even at higher volumes for lower mastered tracks. I guess with something like it in its price range there's bound to be more QC variances than better quality (and pricier) products, but it seems like I got a good unit. 
 
I am loving it with my K702's so far... it gives it more of a warm tonality that it needs and I feel that it may even be a better match than the O2/ODAC I also have. With the K7XX's however I can't say... they have a warmer tonality than the K702's and depending on your preferences and how you find the K7XX's to be, it may be just right or maybe even too warm. It might be a better idea to get the K7XX's first and see how you find it...running it unamped is of course not a long term solution but it will still give you an idea of its general signature, as that's not going to change overly much even after adding an amp. Gain wise the amp has plenty enough though... 11am on the volume dial on high gain gives very loud volume on most tracks so plenty of volume to spare there.