DAC to pair with TubeMagic A1 & DT880s
Oct 25, 2012 at 3:03 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 29
Mizicke5273

Mizicke5273

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Hey all, new to the forums and high-end headphones.  I recently upgraded to my current audio setup in August and September.  Did a lot of reading on here before I decided on the A1 for my amp.  The Beyers were pretty much decided on from the start, just read so many good things about them.  I've moved up from a pair of Sennheiser HD212 Pros connected to the onboard VIA VT1828S sound card. 
 
So with that said, I'm looking for a DAC to pair with my TubeMagic A1 & DT880s, as I'm moving to a laptop as my main rig.  I've thought about just getting a TubeMagic D1 or D2, but honestly I don't know which one would be better.  My first thought would be the D2, since it's not a combination DAC/AMP.  I've done a little googling and haven't really found enough to make an informed decision.  I've seen the following DACs recommended a few times, though not necessarily with the TubeMagic A1:
 
  1. HiFiMan - EF2A
  2. JDS Labs Standalone ODAC
  3. Audio-GD NFB-11.32 - Bit more than I want to spend.
  4. iBasso D7
  5. HRT Music Streamer II
  6. Audioengine D1 Premium
  1. SMSL SD-793II
  2. Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 - Bit more than I want to spend.
 
Do I go with a TubeMagic D1 or D2?  One from the above list?  Or something else entirely?  My budget is $200 - $250. 
 
Current Audio Setup:
Asus Xonar DX
TubeMagic A1
Beyerdynamic DT880 600 ohm
 
So, I thought I'd join and post a thread. 
 
Nov 5, 2012 at 7:00 PM Post #2 of 29
After some more reading and thinking, I'm really leaning towards the TubeMagic D2 with the upgraded opamps and tubes.
 
Now, how does this play into the mix:  At the moment, I am interested in upgrading my amp to a Schiit Valhalla or a La Figaro 339 at some point.  With that said, I may also consider the Bifrost as a possibility, especially if it pairs well with my current amp and the two I am looking at. 
 
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:07 PM Post #4 of 29
I was once having the same trouble, whether I should buy the TubeMagic D2 + A1 combo. However, after thinking and taking advices, I finally go for the CEntrence DACmini in the second hand market.
beyersmile.png

 
Nov 8, 2012 at 8:08 AM Post #6 of 29
Remember the dacs globally sound the same, the most important is noise and distortion, the rest is ******** to make you buy expensive stuff.
Basically, the inputs needs to be well taken ware of, no need to spend 300 $ on a dac.
 
Nov 8, 2012 at 3:07 PM Post #8 of 29
Quote:
puranti said:
Remember the dacs globally sound the same, the most important is noise and distortion, the rest is ******** to make you buy expensive stuff.
Basically, the inputs needs to be well taken ware of, no need to spend 300 $ on a dac.
Click to expand...


If there's no need to spend on a 300 DAC, then why even spend on a 100 DAC
 
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:05 AM Post #9 of 29
Quote:
leoleo0104 said:
If there's no need to spend on a 300 DAC, then why even spend on a 100 DAC
Click to expand...

 
Because the 300 $ dac has the same capacities than a 100 $ DAC but if you want to waste 200 $ that's your problem, I'm just trying to clear up the mess about audiophilia myths.
I suggest you to check this thread, it's revelant to our discussion : http://www.head-fi.org/t/630155/dac-deadly-audio-confusion
 
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:33 AM Post #10 of 29
Quote:
puranti said:
 
Because the 300 $ dac has the same capacities than a 100 $ DAC but if you want to waste 200 $ that's your problem, I'm just trying to clear up the mess about audiophilia myths.
I suggest you to check this thread, it's revelant to our discussion : http://www.head-fi.org/t/630155/dac-deadly-audio-confusion
Click to expand...


So, if you are saying that all DAC sound the same, why don't you need an external DAC like V-DAC? Why don't you use the built-in DAC in your computer?
 
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:41 AM Post #11 of 29
At that time i did not read this thread, I bought everything last year and was very ignorant about audiophilia bias.
rolleyes.gif

Secondly my laptop doesn't have any analog outputs which make sense,
Thirdly, the V-DAC is versatile, I can use it for every config I want.
And finally, I bought it for 100$ from another guy who used it for 1 month so that was quite a deal.
smily_headphones1.gif

 
But I am not saying that all dacs sound the same ; especially, has it was mentioned on the other thread, with tube dac.
If you really want (or need) an external dac take one with the input/outputs you want.
 
Nov 9, 2012 at 3:27 AM Post #12 of 29
Quote:
puranti said:
At that time i did not read this thread, I bought everything last year and was very ignorant about audiophilia bias.
rolleyes.gif

Secondly my laptop doesn't have any analog outputs which make sense,
Thirdly, the V-DAC is versatile, I can use it for every config I want.
And finally, I bought it for 100$ from another guy who used it for 1 month so that was quite a deal.
smily_headphones1.gif

 
But I am not saying that all dacs sound the same ; especially, has it was mentioned on the other thread, with tube dac.
If you really want (or need) an external dac take one with the input/outputs you want.
Click to expand...

So, as you're saying that your V-DAC was a good deal. Are you trying to admit that a 300 DAC which can be bought at 100 is better than a DAC is listed 100 orginal?
 
Nov 9, 2012 at 4:49 AM Post #13 of 29
Quote:
leoleo0104 said:
So, as you're saying that your V-DAC was a good deal. Are you trying to admit that a 300 DAC which can be bought at 100 is better than a DAC is listed 100 orginal?
Click to expand...

 
I am saying it is a good deal yes as you're making a 200$ discount, you can resell it with a good price.
Look if you're trying to make me say that a 300$ dac will sound better than a 100$ one you're wasting your time...
rolleyes.gif

 
Nov 9, 2012 at 4:53 AM Post #14 of 29
Quote:
puranti said:
 
I am saying it is a good deal yes as you're making a 200$ discount, you can resell it with a good price.
Look if you're trying to make me say that a 300$ dac will sound better than a 100$ one you're wasting your time...
rolleyes.gif
Click to expand...

So why didn't you buy a 100 DAC instead of a 300 V-DAC (Count at original listed price) if you said every solid state DAC sounds the same? You won't care about discount if they sound the same.
 
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