[loki993]

I have 500 dollars to spend on an amp and a dac.

My initial thought is to get the Magni 3 and a Modi Multibit.

For the money is there anything else I should be looking at?

 

[YJX94]

I have 500 dollars to spend on an amp and a dac.

My initial thought is to get the Magni 3 and a Modi Multibit.

For the money is there anything else I should be looking at?

For around $500 one of the best, if not the best is probably NFB-11 or R2R 11.

 

[Monsterzero]

For around $500 one of the best, if not the best is probably NFB-11 or R2R 11.

Ha! I was just going to suggest he read this thread

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audio-gd-nfb-11-28-vs-r2r-11.858093/

I have the R2R-11 which I like,but it is a relaxed,analog-like sound.If you prefer a brighter more detail oriented sound check out the nfb-11-28

 

[luckybaer]

I just purchased a Schiit Audio Modi 2 Multibit/Vali 2 combo. I'm very impressed with the build quality, ease of use, and sound signature. I've only listened with my DT-880 and SR-80e so far, and I haven't swapped out the stock tube - so much more fun to be had! This is the first Amp/DAC I've purchased sine I purchased a HeadRoom Micro Amp/Micro DAC stack over 10 years ago. Good things come to those who wait, I suppose.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I like the Chord Mojo more than the Modi Multibit and any of Schiit's entry-level amps. Haven't tried Audio-gd.

 

[loki993]

Im not interested in anything from audio gd.


I just can't get over the toy looks of the chord stuff

 

[hemipowered007]

The ifi micro black label is pretty good for what it is and it's size. From what I've read though, strictly desktop use that suggested audio gd would be the better choice. I do miss my nfb 10se and would buy another audio gd product if I used my home rig more.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I just can't get over the toy looks of the chord stuff

You may be surprised that they're made of solid aluminum and have withstood being run over by tanks!

 

[loki993]

yeah I might be. The other thing about the Chord though is its portable and I cant see how a portable amp could be comparative to a desktop one powerwise. If they made a reasonably priced DAC I could go for that, but I would maybe think about about using the mojo as just a dac and then it throws my cost ratio off. What do they go for used generally?

 

[Music Alchemist]

yeah I might be. The other thing about the Chord though is its portable and I cant see how a portable amp could be comparative to a desktop one powerwise. If they made a reasonably priced DAC I could go for that, but I would maybe think about about using the mojo as just a dac and then it throws my cost ratio off. What do they go for used generally?

The fact that it is small says nothing, and the fact that it has less power than some amps is typically irrelevant because that extra power is never used in the first place unless the headphones are very hard to drive. The Mojo has more than enough power to drive nearly all headphones. I drove tons of headphones with it and none even came close to pushing its limits. And FYI, I heard next to no difference between the Mojo and $4,300 430HAD (which can output up to 8 watts at 50 ohms) when driving the HD 800.

Here are the maximum output power specs of the Mojo, Hugo, and Hugo TT:
600 ohms: 35 mW
300 ohms: 70 mW
56 ohms: 320 mW
32 ohms: 600 mW
8 ohms: 720 mW

The amplification in Chord DAC/amps is in the DAC's analog output stage and is cleaner than even the line outs of conventional DACs. It's akin to listening directly to the DAC, but with more power than usual. (And 500 mA current in the case of the Mojo.) Adding an external amp degrades the signal, though some prefer coloration.

You should be able to find it used for under $400. (It's currently $529 new in the US.)

 

[Renato Fury]

Im not interested in anything from audio gd.


I just can't get over the toy looks of the chord stuff

Let me see if I get it, do not you like Audio GD because of the looks of your products ?

 

[loki993]

Let me see if I get it, do not you like Audio GD because of the looks of your products ?

No I dont like Audio Gd because of the convoluted ordering process, having to return something to china on my dime if it fails doesn't sound like a good time either. But mostly I dont think I would like the way they sound, there are other places on the internet that dont like the way audio GD stuff sounds and frankly, no offense, but I trust them more than the people here.

 

[Renato Fury]

No I dont like Audio Gd because of the convoluted ordering process, having to return something to china on my dime if it fails doesn't sound like a good time either. But mostly I dont think I would like the way they sound, there are other places on the internet that dont like the way audio GD stuff sounds and frankly, no offense, but I trust them more than the people here.

Well, if this is the case then you can buy through a reseller site like this for example:
https://www.magnahifi.com/en/webshop/category/audio-gd