[Huckle]

Hi everyone,
I spent the last 3 days reading your posts and I want to thank you for all the stuff I've learned.
 
I was about to upgrade my Grado 125 to a 325 but since I live in Japan and Grado's prices are incredibly high here (especially compared to Audio Technica), I finally bought the AD-900X yesterday (for about 160 $).
 
Now it's setting up, I wonder what kind of DAC would be great paired with my headphone.
 
I will mainly use it with my Macbook pro and with WAV or FLAC files (some of them are 24bits - 192kHz).
 
Regarding the money I consider to spend (less than 200 $), what would you recommend ? Since I'm still in Japan , I'm considering buying the Audio-Technica AT-HA26D, but what do you think ? Will it be good with my AD-900X ? What could be a better pair ?
 
Many thanks for your precious answers, answers.
Cheers,
Vincent

 

[PurpleAngel]

A Fiio E17 could easily drive the 40-Ohm AD900X.
(optical input up to 24-bit/192Khz)

 

[Huckle]

Thank you so much for your quick answer, PurpleAngel.
 
I've read quite good reviews about the fiio E17 and it could be an interesting option.
But the fact is I'm not fond of the level control (buttons) : I'd prefer a wheel...
 
Thanks again,

 

[PurpleAngel]

As the AD900X headphones are only 40-Ohms, might try to find a DAC/Amp with a low headphone output impedance, like 4-Ohms or less, but it's not a requirement.
I plug my 40-Ohm A900Xs into a 10-Ohm impedance output headphone amplifier.

 

[Huckle]

OK, I understand, thanks.
Since the price of the E17 and the price of this one :
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-technica-D-A-headhphone-amplifier-AT-HA26D-/360414639078
 
...are approximatively the same, do you think the Audio-Technica would do better work ?
 
Sorry for my ignorance...
Cheers,

 

[gikigill]

The iBasso range would be a good match, try the JDS Labs C5 too.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  OK, I understand, thanks.
Since the price of the E17 and the price of this one :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audio-technica-D-A-headhphone-amplifier-AT-HA26D-/360414639078
...are approximatively the same, do you think the Audio-Technica would do better work ?

The AT-HA26D sells for $400 in Japan.
Here is a Fiio E17 selling for $120 + $22 shipping (to Japan, from New York).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fiio-E17-USB-DAC-Headphone-Amplifier-New-in-Original-Box-/281149947830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4175d7bfb6

 

[Huckle]

@PurpleAngel
No, the AT-HA26D sells for 18.000 yens on Amazon.co.jp, while the E17 sells for 13.000 yens (a difference of 50 $).
That's the reason why I have a doubt...
 
@gikigill
Thank you for your answer !
Could you please be more precise about the ibasso reference ? Range is not one I can find on the japanese stores...
Yet the JDS Labs C5 is here, selling for 20.000 yens (around 200$), ie 20$ more than the Audio-Technica I referenced few posts ago.
Regarding the specs of the AT-HA26D and considering both prices, what would be your choice ?
 
Thank you guys,

 

[gikigill]

The iBasso range would be the following:
 
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=79
 
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=73
 
The C5 is very synergistic with the AD900X as I have the AD and demoed it with the C5.
 
Very good bass and very controlled as the C5 can switch the gain and bass to tailor the sound appropriately.
 
Never heard the AT amp so cant comment.

 

[Huckle]

Thank you for the links and the very persuasive words about the C5. I'll try to test it in japanese stores, but it probably will be the same as Grado : since JDSlabs is an american brand, it could be more expensive here than a japanese one... I'll let you know if my tests are conlusive with the AT amp.
 
Thanks again,
Vincent