I'm planning to get the HD - 600s, as I enjoy classical music most as they seem to be highly rated, in my budget, and I have liked some of their more affordable headphones in the past.  I have about $400 I could spend on an amp and possibly a better DAC if it is recommended.  I plan to use my...

This is a review I've been putting off until I got my new amp the Schiit Lyr 2 mainly because I wanted to spend time with both headphones on a higher end system than what I had before. This review is my overall impressions of the two headphones and which I ultimately think is better on my...

I apologize, I'm a complete noob when it comes to this stuff, but any help would be appreciated :) I'm currently running this setup:   xonar dg > 3.5mm jack on the card > 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch adapter > grado sr225i   However, I have a little bit of money to spend on upgrading this setup...

Right now I'm running PC (FLAC) to Music Streamer II to Yamaha Ax-596 to BW-602 speakers. However I'm thinking of getting a more portable setup, skipping the amp all together and going with smaller active speakers. I might sell that stuff, buy a Fiio X5 (DAC feature) when it becomes available...

My current system consists of:   Music Streamer II Straight Wire Encore II interconnect Headroom Little base amp Grado SR225   I purchased the Music Streamer II a few months ago. I'm very happy with the improvements it brought to my system. It really took a lot of metallic edge off...

hey, I recently went through the trouble to look up the DAC chips & prices of quite a few sub-$200 DACs. Fricking manufacturers often do not disclose their DAC chip on their product specs. (kinda shady imo lol) Not sure if this list would be helpful to anyone, but I figured I'd post it. Please...

Hello   I just got an HRT streamer II, however, it seems different than all the very nice looking ones Ive seen online.    http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/isayRwar/media/timthumb_zps89eff00d.jpg.html     Is this a revision of some sort? It initially looks like HRT are cutting down on...

Disclaimer: The thoughts and comparisons within this review are my own subjective experiences using these DACs. I have done my best to flesh out the most obvious differences between these two DAC's, and others' experiences may differ slightly, as we all experience sounds differently.   Intro...

I have a separate amp, and I was using a 3.5mm jack to RCA cable for the last two weeks. I am able to get the two DACs for the same price, and I am having a hard time deciding.   First, is there a difference in sound quality? Since they have the same DAC section...There have been little...

Please leave suggestions thanks.

Hello I currently have a JDS Labs C421 (OPPA227) and an ODAC. I think it's time for an upgrade from a portable amp to a more powerful desktop amp and perhaps a new DAC as well. I enjoy this setup, but can only imagine how much better my setup would sound with a powerful desktop amp. My current...

I couldn't find anything on this.. I am currently considering purchasing a HRT Music streamer ii+ (old version that isn't "roundy") from a fellow head-fier and I was wondering if there was ANY difference in sound compared to the new roundy one that looks like the music streamer ii (just in a...

I recently paired my Grado 325i's with a Graham Slee Solo and they sound terrific together. But I'm getting into this now and I'll not be satisfied until I've extracted the very best sound possible from these brilliant 'phones. I'm now debating whether to buy a Music Streamer II+ in order to...

I got my Bottlehead Crack, as recommended here, on Thursday night. After waiting a month for it to arrive and an unsuccessful 10+-hour struggle to assemble and wire it, I really just want an amp that will definitely work, not constantly make me worry about bad solder joints, and not electrocute...

I currently have a pair of AKG K702 headphones. I am powering them with a Fiio E7/E9 DAC/amp combo. The headphones are used exclusively with my PC for music, video games and movies.   I am looking for an upgrade to the DAC and amp to better power the headphones. I have a budget of...

Hi, I own Sennheiser hd 518 which is powered through a Harman Kardon amplifier and i have a little question. Should I bother buying a new better soundcard that will replace my realtek onboard sound? And if so which one would you recommend? Maybe an Usb soundcard and then to the Hk amplifier...

Old topic I know, but I couldn't find a satisfied answer. I'm looking for an upgrade for my HRT music streamer II. Really love the sound, but I always need to adjust the Wasabi buffer length to minimum if I don't want to hear the popping noise, which is a bit inconvenient. So I want to try a...

I'm in the process of setting up a portable rig which currently includes a Ray Samuels SR-71B amp.  So now I'm looking for a portable DAC that can run on USB or battery power.  Obviously I have no need to a combo DAC/Amp, so I've narrowed my options down to 2: the Dacport LX or the MS II+.  Has...

So I bought the M-Audio BX5 D2's the other day and honestly before I heard them I planned on returning them because of their size. But after that 3.5 plug got into my jack - there's no way I'm doing that.   I have a few specific songs with which I test new audio gear so I can make fair...

Hello,   I’m considering on purchasing my first DAC, but I really don’t know where to start.  First let me explain and detail my current setup.   It’s a vinyl setup TT: VPI Scoutmaster with a Dynavector 17D3 cartridge Phono stage: Aesthetix Rhea (tube phone/pre) Marantz PM11S2...

Hey all, I am planning to get the HD800's in a couple weeks and obviously, I can't drive them to any sort of decent level without a decent amp nor will anything sound great without a DAC.    I've mainly dabbled in portable audio so most of gear consists of IEMs, portable amps, LODs, etc. so...

Hello, Soon I am going to acquire a pair of Stax lambda pros and the Stax srm-1/mk2 amplifier. I have only recently begun to be interested in to the headphone game with some ath-m50's (big jump to stax I know xD). Im planning on mainly running my new earspeakers through my pc. Currently, I just...

Hey guys. I am wondering what your thoughts are on the Audio-GD NFB 15.32 vs Matrix M-Stage with HRT Music Streamer II? I am looking for the overall best sound quality. I am perfectly fine with having an all-in-one system like the NFB 15.32 or a separate stack like the M-Stage/HRT so I do not...

Was going to get the matrix m stage and was thinking of getting the firestone fubar 2 mkII as the dac. Does anyone have this combination or heard it before. Just wondering how well these pair. Will be using this setup with beyerdynamic dt880 600ohm if that helps, thanks. 

I'm in the market for a good DAC £200 budget don't mind spending for uber quality but to ask me now the cheaper the better ideally!   So in your opinion what's the best DAC on this list and why?    Thanks guys.