Hi,
I'm using a Hifiman Sundara since almost 3 years. It's running on a very cheap Sharkoon Gaming DAC Pro S V2 but that small Dongle is ok and has enough power to run the Sundara even at high volumes. I'm using the headphones for music (Tidal) of many genres and for gaming (not compatitive) on my PC. I'm using equalizer APO and Peace to EQ the Sundara. Basically I'm using EQ setting from reddit and tweaked them just a little more. The Sundara by default was abit to bright for me and was missing something in the low end. It's much better with EQ.
I like the Sundara. The sound is good and the comfort, which is very important for me, is also fine. But I would like to upgrade. I guess this cheap dac/amp dongle might be to bad to run some better headphone without limiting the quality. But before buying a better dac/amp I should know what might come next?!
I was thinking about the Qudelix T71 to have a small dac/amp that comes with a parametric EQ so I could connect it also with my working laptop and still have the EQ applied. But I have no clue if that dongle dac/amp is good enough for some of the more expensive headphones out there. I'm not a big fan of the big desktop dac/amps. They usually don't come with the inputs/outputs that I would like to connect everything and easy switch between devices. Like PC or Macbook to speakers or headphones. Since my speakers (Nubert nuPro A-200) are great using digital input but abit annoying using analog input like 90% of all dacs are not fitting anyway. A dongle like the Qudelix sounds good for me but as I said, I don't know if they are really good for expensive equipment. For the Sundara they are basically too much since they cost as much as the Sundara itself. The Questyle M15 might also be an option but has no EQ and might sound similar? If a desktop dac/amp I was looking for the smaller ones like the Topping DX3 Pro+.
About headphones, I'm up to pay more instead of going through multiple headphones. I know that it's better to have more than one headphone since none is perfect for all kind of music but atm I'm still more looking for an allrounder since there is not much space and don't really feel like switching headphones all the time.
I was watching meany reviews about the new Hifiman Arya Organic. They might be really good for me and was already very close to order them. I don't have a big head, maybe they might not fit well for me. The Arya has this huge headband which make it sooo big which is not so nice too. But the look is not so important at the end.
The ModHouse Tungsten looks interessting too. Might be difficult to get these in germany. Not sure about the comfort. The dongle dac/amp might be to weak to power them.
I was even checking a few reviews about the Abyss Diana MR which should be total overkill for me but was looking very interessting. That they are using non standard connectors is almost a nogo. A replacement cable is 600€ since I think there are no 3rd party cables. But I like that they are small and slim with very good sound. Also saw some reviews about the Empyrean 2 which is very good with super comfort and great build quality but is also big and might also be total overkill.
What is better. Getting a new dac/amp first to be able to use a new headphone on a proper dac/amp from the beginning or search for better headphones and then search for a good fitting dac/amp? Also happy to hear some specific products you can recommend.
I'm using a Hifiman Sundara since almost 3 years. It's running on a very cheap Sharkoon Gaming DAC Pro S V2 but that small Dongle is ok and has enough power to run the Sundara even at high volumes. I'm using the headphones for music (Tidal) of many genres and for gaming (not compatitive) on my PC. I'm using equalizer APO and Peace to EQ the Sundara. Basically I'm using EQ setting from reddit and tweaked them just a little more. The Sundara by default was abit to bright for me and was missing something in the low end. It's much better with EQ.
I like the Sundara. The sound is good and the comfort, which is very important for me, is also fine. But I would like to upgrade. I guess this cheap dac/amp dongle might be to bad to run some better headphone without limiting the quality. But before buying a better dac/amp I should know what might come next?!
I was thinking about the Qudelix T71 to have a small dac/amp that comes with a parametric EQ so I could connect it also with my working laptop and still have the EQ applied. But I have no clue if that dongle dac/amp is good enough for some of the more expensive headphones out there. I'm not a big fan of the big desktop dac/amps. They usually don't come with the inputs/outputs that I would like to connect everything and easy switch between devices. Like PC or Macbook to speakers or headphones. Since my speakers (Nubert nuPro A-200) are great using digital input but abit annoying using analog input like 90% of all dacs are not fitting anyway. A dongle like the Qudelix sounds good for me but as I said, I don't know if they are really good for expensive equipment. For the Sundara they are basically too much since they cost as much as the Sundara itself. The Questyle M15 might also be an option but has no EQ and might sound similar? If a desktop dac/amp I was looking for the smaller ones like the Topping DX3 Pro+.
About headphones, I'm up to pay more instead of going through multiple headphones. I know that it's better to have more than one headphone since none is perfect for all kind of music but atm I'm still more looking for an allrounder since there is not much space and don't really feel like switching headphones all the time.
I was watching meany reviews about the new Hifiman Arya Organic. They might be really good for me and was already very close to order them. I don't have a big head, maybe they might not fit well for me. The Arya has this huge headband which make it sooo big which is not so nice too. But the look is not so important at the end.
The ModHouse Tungsten looks interessting too. Might be difficult to get these in germany. Not sure about the comfort. The dongle dac/amp might be to weak to power them.
I was even checking a few reviews about the Abyss Diana MR which should be total overkill for me but was looking very interessting. That they are using non standard connectors is almost a nogo. A replacement cable is 600€ since I think there are no 3rd party cables. But I like that they are small and slim with very good sound. Also saw some reviews about the Empyrean 2 which is very good with super comfort and great build quality but is also big and might also be total overkill.
What is better. Getting a new dac/amp first to be able to use a new headphone on a proper dac/amp from the beginning or search for better headphones and then search for a good fitting dac/amp? Also happy to hear some specific products you can recommend.