Quote: Why don't you upgrade your IEM's instead of wasting more money on source? Speakers offer more of a sound quality improvement or change than an AMP or DAC. If you're happy with the SE535, then so be it...

The Objective 2 amplifier will drive the AKG K701's just fine. 

Quote: No, it's just the low output impedance.

Get the JDS Labs Objective 2 amplifier. Hiss problem = solved. If the source feeding the line out to the Objective 2 has audible levels of distortion, than you'll still hear hissing through the O2. The O2, in itself, has ZERO hiss.

There's one thing I hate about the ES5. And that is, it makes it hard to listen to lower-end headphones or IEM's. 

Quote: The O2/iPod Touch combo made me sell off my HM-801.

Quote: The HRT Streamer is great option or you can wait 'till the end of this month for the ODAC.

Quote: Hey, if you want to lose your hearing, that's fine. 

Quote: Okay, but if you're going to be using the ES9018 DAC for music listening, I don't see the point in wasting so much money on specs that will never be fully utilized. It's like buying a Bugatti Veyron for driving to the supermarket. It's pointless. People are so caught up on having the...

Quote: Are those higher specs even necessary for an audibly transparent musical playback? No. The ES9023 can be audibly transparent if properly implemented, like in the ODAC.

Quote: Which doesn't mean the top of the line DAC is better than the entry level chip. It's all about implementation.

Quote: Have you heard the ODAC itself or a board that happened to have the DAC the ODAC uses implemented onto it? If it's the latter, like I've said before, the implementation of the DAC is more important than the DAC chip used. Also, I find it amusing how you guys always associate an...

Quote: It's not about the DAC chip used, it's about it's implementation. According to the ODAC's specs, it's audibly transparent.

Quote: Chances are, I'm not going to get a 901. It won't be audibly transparent. 

Quote: Didn't know someone would make up specs as a marketing tactic when they receive zero money from the project.