I'm starting to like my new HE-400 - bought last week after much discussion on Head-Fi.
Now I need a DAC and Amp - either integrated or separate - both are acceptable to me.
I'm quite aware that hundreds of options exist. Since the HE-400 is my ONLY audiophile headphone, and will be my only audiophile headphone for some time, I'm looking for the DAC/Amp combination that has best synergy with the HE-400, even if it's not a good general-purpose choice.
The HE-400 of course is a planar magnetic headphone with 32 ohm impedance - much less than any other planar magnetic headphone out there. I hear that some amps work best with high-impedance-low-efficiency cans, and some with low-impedance-high-efficiency cans - this factor must play a role in my choice. I also hear that some amps work best with dynamic headphones, and some with planar magnetics - this factor must play a role too.
Budget is only $300ish. I believe the HE-400 weren't designed to scale with high-end gear, and should reach 90%+ of their potential with DAC/Amps in this price bracket?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Some combinations I'm considering:
Audinst Mini (~$130) DAC+Amp combo
ODAC (DAC) + O2 (AMP) for ~$285
Music Streamer II (DAC) for ~$150 + Schiit Asgard ~$250 = $400 overshoots my budget - would only go for it if REALLY worth it.
The above are just blind ideas - I haven't tried out any of them, and don't know if they have synergy with the HE-400.
That's why I need you folks to help me!
Now I need a DAC and Amp - either integrated or separate - both are acceptable to me.
I'm quite aware that hundreds of options exist. Since the HE-400 is my ONLY audiophile headphone, and will be my only audiophile headphone for some time, I'm looking for the DAC/Amp combination that has best synergy with the HE-400, even if it's not a good general-purpose choice.
The HE-400 of course is a planar magnetic headphone with 32 ohm impedance - much less than any other planar magnetic headphone out there. I hear that some amps work best with high-impedance-low-efficiency cans, and some with low-impedance-high-efficiency cans - this factor must play a role in my choice. I also hear that some amps work best with dynamic headphones, and some with planar magnetics - this factor must play a role too.
Budget is only $300ish. I believe the HE-400 weren't designed to scale with high-end gear, and should reach 90%+ of their potential with DAC/Amps in this price bracket?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Some combinations I'm considering:
Audinst Mini (~$130) DAC+Amp combo
ODAC (DAC) + O2 (AMP) for ~$285
Music Streamer II (DAC) for ~$150 + Schiit Asgard ~$250 = $400 overshoots my budget - would only go for it if REALLY worth it.
The above are just blind ideas - I haven't tried out any of them, and don't know if they have synergy with the HE-400.
That's why I need you folks to help me!