JohnFY
New Head-Fier
Guys,
I find myself the owner of an Auralic Taurus mkii and the latest LCD 2F's, following an impulse buy whilst checking out a local hifi shop. I have really put them through their paces for a couple of months now, and have concluded that they are indeed superb (at certain things). But, I cannot in all honesty say that I am in love with the combination across the board.
A bit of navel gazing has led me to want to improve on what I have before ultimately committing to a different approach. My weakest link, at this point, is my source, a Fiio X5. Now I am sure that the simple answer is indebting myself to the eyeballs and acquiring the Auralic Vega (£2995!) for ultimate synergy and, no doubt, ultimate sound quality. But, to be honest, I have recently come to the realisation that the LCD's are not my absolute endgame. Currently, my listening consists predominantly of electronic music and the LCD's just don't cut it, to my ears at least (in the way my endgame UM Merlin's do, but not with the Taurus). However, for traditional analogue music they are unbelievably amazing, and endgame for me in that area.
I am quite content for the Auralic Taurus to be my endgame amp. But, I may as well try to improve the rest of my chain before committing time, effort and money in a new set of cans.
So, I should very much like your help and advice for a reasonable DAC that would offer improvements over the Fiio X5, whilst being good enough not to hobble the Taurus, all while saving me from the Poor House and leaving me a little extra money for another set of headphones better suited to electronic music. No doubt a big ask, but you guys always seem up for a challenge!
I really do not want to come across as being lazy in this request. I have indeed attempted to start researching, but have to say it is all rather confusing: should I just get an iFi iDsd BL, which gets great reviews and could be used on the move too (assuming the amp section could drive the LCD's), but then again, I really disliked the iFi iCan which I returned; or maybe the Gustard X20 even with its alleged reliability issues and the hassle of returns and the need to DIY it to get the ultimate out of it; how about the Audiolab M-DAC, sounds interesting (base on what? A few reviews here and there....right). Do any of them sound good (what the hell does good mean?)? Do any of them synergise with the Taurus? Would I even know if there was good synergy or bad synergy anyway? Too may questions, too many options, too little time in this life.
Here's a plan guys: please jump up and down, shout and scream, stamp your feet, have a hissy fit for all I care, just demand that I buy x or y and let's be done with all this.
Over to you!
JohnFY
I find myself the owner of an Auralic Taurus mkii and the latest LCD 2F's, following an impulse buy whilst checking out a local hifi shop. I have really put them through their paces for a couple of months now, and have concluded that they are indeed superb (at certain things). But, I cannot in all honesty say that I am in love with the combination across the board.
A bit of navel gazing has led me to want to improve on what I have before ultimately committing to a different approach. My weakest link, at this point, is my source, a Fiio X5. Now I am sure that the simple answer is indebting myself to the eyeballs and acquiring the Auralic Vega (£2995!) for ultimate synergy and, no doubt, ultimate sound quality. But, to be honest, I have recently come to the realisation that the LCD's are not my absolute endgame. Currently, my listening consists predominantly of electronic music and the LCD's just don't cut it, to my ears at least (in the way my endgame UM Merlin's do, but not with the Taurus). However, for traditional analogue music they are unbelievably amazing, and endgame for me in that area.
I am quite content for the Auralic Taurus to be my endgame amp. But, I may as well try to improve the rest of my chain before committing time, effort and money in a new set of cans.
So, I should very much like your help and advice for a reasonable DAC that would offer improvements over the Fiio X5, whilst being good enough not to hobble the Taurus, all while saving me from the Poor House and leaving me a little extra money for another set of headphones better suited to electronic music. No doubt a big ask, but you guys always seem up for a challenge!
I really do not want to come across as being lazy in this request. I have indeed attempted to start researching, but have to say it is all rather confusing: should I just get an iFi iDsd BL, which gets great reviews and could be used on the move too (assuming the amp section could drive the LCD's), but then again, I really disliked the iFi iCan which I returned; or maybe the Gustard X20 even with its alleged reliability issues and the hassle of returns and the need to DIY it to get the ultimate out of it; how about the Audiolab M-DAC, sounds interesting (base on what? A few reviews here and there....right). Do any of them sound good (what the hell does good mean?)? Do any of them synergise with the Taurus? Would I even know if there was good synergy or bad synergy anyway? Too may questions, too many options, too little time in this life.
Here's a plan guys: please jump up and down, shout and scream, stamp your feet, have a hissy fit for all I care, just demand that I buy x or y and let's be done with all this.
Over to you!
JohnFY
