Best DAC+AMP+Headphones on $1000 or less budget?
Jan 14, 2013 at 3:35 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 15

OICWUTUDIDTHAR

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DAC+AMP combo is fine, stand alone units will also work. I would prefer the headphones to be open.
 
Please leave suggestions, thanks.
 
Jan 14, 2013 at 3:50 AM Post #2 of 15
I would personally suggest getting the Fiio E17 , and the HifiMan HE - 400 , however those together come in way under budget. 
 
The Fiio at about $120 and the HE-400 at $400 , however pairing a stronger HifiMan headphone with the Fiio would be ill advised, as the Fiio wouldn't be able to properly power one of it's larger siblings like the HE-4 or HE-500 .
 
But perhaps getting a stronger amp would be a good idea, I have several, but my E17 still is my goto amp when i'm out and about, even if i have replacement amp for desktop use I still appreciate the power of the E17 :) 
 
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:01 AM Post #3 of 15
If it were my $1000, I'd probably go with the ODAC for the source, the Schiit Lyr, and a pair of the Hifiman HE-400s.  That puts you right around $1000 with everything brand new, and leaves you tons of headroom to eventually upgrade your headphones down the line. 
 
I love the HE 400 out of my E17, but I'm saving up for the Lyr sometime in the near future.
 
Jan 16, 2013 at 4:31 AM Post #4 of 15
OP , Keep us informed of what you went with in the end, + impressions etc :) 
 
Jan 16, 2013 at 4:34 AM Post #5 of 15
Modi instead of ODAC. Looks better with the Lyr and probably sound as good
 
Jan 16, 2013 at 5:45 AM Post #6 of 15
I think I am just going to stretch my budget to 1700 and go with a lyr+byfrost and he-500 cans. It's expensive but all these components seems to have terrific value as well.
 
Thoughts?
 
Jan 16, 2013 at 5:49 AM Post #7 of 15
Sound like an amazing setup. I myself own the HE-500 and a x-can v8p as amp, but no dac :frowning2:
 
Jan 16, 2013 at 6:03 AM Post #8 of 15
Sounds good to me.  That's a world class setup right there.  
size]

 
Jan 16, 2013 at 6:13 AM Post #9 of 15
I also see Schiit has a Magi + Modi which is significantly cheaper then the bifrost + lyr and would put me at around the 1000 dollar mark.
 
I am probably better off going with the Lyr + bifrost though?
 
Jan 16, 2013 at 6:46 AM Post #10 of 15
I would say yes, better off with the Lyr and Bifrost , mostly because your headphones will change far more often than your amp, as you add new ones to your collection etc, but this amp purchase will be unique, so you might as well splash out 
 
Jan 16, 2013 at 8:07 AM Post #11 of 15
Quote:
I think I am just going to stretch my budget to 1700 and go with a lyr+byfrost and he-500 cans. It's expensive but all these components seems to have terrific value as well.
 
Thoughts?

 
How about another option:
 
HE-500, HE-6 or LCD2
 
Maverick TubeMagic D2 (tube dac)
Emotiva a-100 mini-X amplifier
Get a speaker tap cable
 
It will blow the Schiit stack out of the water for less.
 
Read this entire thread if you're interested. You don't have to be limited to headphone stuff when you're using orthos.
 
Very best,
 
Jan 16, 2013 at 8:28 AM Post #12 of 15
Quote:
 
How about another option:
 
HE-500, HE-6 or LCD2
 
Maverick TubeMagic D2 (tube dac)
Emotiva a-100 mini-X amplifier
Get a speaker tap cable
 
It will blow the Schiit stack out of the water for less.
 
Read this entire thread if you're interested. You don't have to be limited to headphone stuff when you're using orthos.
 
Very best,


+1
Came here to paste the link for your last comment in that thread
biggrin.gif

 
Jan 16, 2013 at 12:53 PM Post #15 of 15
The burson is definitely capable and probably very good for the HE-500
 

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