I'm going to use the preamp section of the DAC1 to run to a solid state amp and need recommendations for best synergy. The DAC1 Pre has balanced outs, which some have said are not "truely" balanced, but regardless, they are an option. Should I bother with a balanced amp if the pre doesn't output...

They sell these extremely robust-looking Futuretech power cables on ebay and I was wondering if anyone has heard of them and/or used them? If they are indeed all they are cracked up to be, they could be a pretty good bargain. They sure look impressive, but who knows what's inside? Attachment...

Just like the title says, I'm looking for someone who's played (critically) with both a Benchmark DAC1 and Apogee Mini DAC and would like their impressions. Thanks!

I think most of you looking at budget DACs, particularly USB DACs, have come across the Super Pro USB DAC707SE ($109 from Audiomagus - high end not high priced audio products). I noticed it uses the same high quality CS4398 DAC chip (great specs, 24/192, 120dB dynamic and 107 signal-to-noise)...

So I'm taking the plunge and getting the Benchmark DAC1 Pre and for now at least, I'm going to use the built-in amp. My question to those who have heard these is, which is a better synergy with the DAC1, the Denon D5000 or Sennheiser HD650 and why?

I'm looking to connect a Headroom Micro DAC with 1/8" mini jack output to a Little Dot MK V RCA input and am looking for a high quality mini jack to RCA cable that is a foot or shorter, preferably 6". Anyone have any recommendations?

So I'm venturing into completely new territory. I decided I want to get a standalone DAC to use with my computer and whatever home amp I have at the time and need some help figuring this out. How do I compare standalone DACs, who makes good ones? Pretty much the Headroom Micro DAC is all I have...

So I'm venturing into completely new territory. I decided I want to get a standalone DAC to use with my computer and whatever home amp I have at the time and need some help figuring this out. How do I compare standalone DACs, who makes good ones? Pretty much the Headroom Micro DAC is all I have...

I'm looking for a new reference set of headphones and I'm curious who out there prefers which. The choices, if you could purchase only one, Denon AH-D5000, Sennheiser HD650 or AKG K701. Let's hear it! UPDATE: Sorry for this, I forgot to add Grado SR325s.

As the title suggests, weigh in on whether or not you can actually hear the difference between 320kpbs, 256kbps, or lossless compression like apple's lossless, etc. Where do your ears stop? UPDATE: Please confine your comments to headphones, not speaker-based systems.

So I think I'm finally ready to outgrow my starter amp, a Creek OBH-11, which has been a really nice first amp for me. Now I'm looking to make the jump into more high quality, bang-for-the-buck options. For up to $500ish (or below!) what are known to be the best bang-for-the-buck amps out there...

I'm looking for the best quality earbuds available that don't need an amp. So far, the only serious contenders are the Yuin OK2 and Audio Technica AHT-CM7/ATH-700ti/ATH-EC700. Any thoughts on these? Am I missing any good ones?

I'm looking for some IEMs for someone who loves listening to rap and techno and loves a hard-hitting, deep, copious bass-line. From the reading I've done, it seems like the Atrio M5 and Super.Fi 5 EB are the big daddies of bass, especially in that price-range. I've read some bad things about the...

I'm looking for the most indestructible (relatively speaking) audiophile quality universal fit (not custom), unamped IEMs or earbuds I can find. They are going to be subjected to rough physical activity/use and I don't want fragile phones. Which have you guys heard are the most rugged, have the...

I'm looking for a nice set of earphones/IEMs for running. I'm deciding between Shure SE210/SE310, Sennheiser CX500, Yuin OK2, Etymotic ER-4P, Westone UM1, and Jays q-Jay. I'm looking for good sound (good bass a plus with motivating music...), robust build quality (something I can knock around a...

Hey guys, I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on my portable amp purchase and am stuck between the iBasso D2 Boa and MiniBox E+. I'll not sure about the DAC at this point, I'll decide on that later. Considering audio quality, adjustability, build quality, versatility, battery, etc., what do...

I'm trying to figure out if I want to buy a headphone amp with a DAC or not and I was wondering: I have a Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeGamer in my computer and it seems to be pretty good: 24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources at 96kHz to analog 7.1 speaker output 24-bit...

I was reading Headphone Break-In: Facts and Fiction to look for recommended break-in strategies for my new Shure SE530s and the author said: "The fixed-armature drivers in higher-end in-ear monitors operates differently than in dynamic headphones. As a result, you shouldn't notice break-in...

Hello, I'm looking to get a decent (read: not crazy expensive, solid gold wiring...) LOD cable for my Ipod Nano and iBasso Boa. I'm looking to spend $50 at most. I've looked at Qables Silvercab and Perforamance lines (should I worry about the durability of silver and solid core?), ALO Bling...

Hey everyone, I have about $200 to put toward a portable amp and I need your help. I have Shure SE530s connected to an Ipod Nano. I looked at the massive 38 amp post and the other SE530 post, but I'm overwhelmed and over my head. I can't figure out which amp (or amps) would be the best...