Quote:   Price needn't be an object, as any neutral DAC (plus amplifier) will do.   The ODAC or ODAC+O2, Benchmark DAC1, Vioelectric V800, Grace M902, and a number of others are (relatively) inexpensive. Marketing features such as asynchronous USB, external power supplies, overpriced...

Quote:   1. Your PC software or operating system drivers will downsample to meet the DAC's requirements.   2. Very few humans can hear any difference between otherwise identical 44kHz and 96kHz files. None can hear a difference between 96kHz and 192kHz files, although dogs might be to...

Quote:   All neutral amplifiers have the same resolution, soundstage, etc. That's what neutral means: They amplify the input without distorting the sound. They may and do differ on inputs, outputs, power, size, convenience and other things.   While I'm a fan of the O2, there are many...

Quote:   The O2 is a neutral amplifier, so what improvements do you want in an upgrade? Unless you're looking for that warm, tube-sound, or some other form of non-neutral sound, spending $300 or $30,000 won't buy anything with less audible distortion.

Quote:   I'd say down 1.5 dB at 20kHz. While that's maybe not quite audibly neutral, the deviance is nothing to worry about.

Quote:   This is almost exactly correct. In most cases, there isn't much difference between even the FiiO E5 and ODAC+O2. On the other hand, the E5 is perfectly capable of powering the HD-650. Contrary to widely spread rumors, nothing about the '650 makes it a noticeably difficult load...

Quote:   For ~US$300, the ODAC+O2 combo is audibly neutral and the designer specifically used his 600-Ohm Beyers, known to be difficult to drive, as part of his testing. There are a few other equally good units which are less expensive and many which are more expensive. You can use an...

Quote:   No apology is necessary. I misunderstood your question.   It shouldn't make any difference. Choose the one that's more convenient for you.

Quote:   To connect an ODAC with RCA output to a "standalone" O2, you'll need an RCA-to-3.5mm adapter. Is that what you're asking?

Quote:   It's possible, but not guaranteed, that you might like the sound better with different equipment at additional expense and additional time and effort to rip the CD's; it's also possible it might sound the same or worse.    If "the sound is awesome," there's absolutely nothing...

Quote:   A proper DAC (including the ODAC, MusicStreamer, Benchmark DAC1, and a number of others, apparently including the Modi) won't affect the sound at all.. An inferior DAC will change the sound in its own way depending on the particular flaw(s) in its design.

Quote:   For more money, you can get more inputs or other useful features. If you're looking for a neutral DAC, you can't beat the sound of an ODAC at $200 or $200,000. The Modi, from its reviews, probably equals it and it's less expensive to boot.

Quote:   I agree with GSARider. If you don't like what you hear, that's the time to consider buying additional gear. If you do like what you hear, listen away. It's the music that counts, not the amount of money spent on equipment.

Quote:   DAC's and amps can't exactly improve anything. A neutral DAC and amp will produce audio signals which are exactly as good or bad as the original material. (Plus, good 320kbps MP3 files are almost always indistinguishable from the original material.)   Some listeners prefer a...

Quote:   What I wrote wasn't especially meaningful. The O2 can drive most headphones (other than the most demanding.) Most amplifiers (Class A amps being a notable exception) tend to have a higher level of distortion with (a) higher gain; or (b) their lowest and maybe highest volume...

Quote:   If the sound using the low-gain setting  is loud enough for you and you don't have to crank the O2 to full volume, use the low-gain setting. Otherwise, the high-gain setting is more appropriate. The impedance of the headphones isn't the appropriate criterion for choosing gain...

Quote:   Is there something about the quality of the sound you're getting from the STX you don't like? Does the volume go high enough? If so, you don't need an amplifier. People often say you "need" an amplifier for various, vague reasons. Don't listen to them.   Personally, I didn't...

Quote:   Yes, it's the gain switch. Pressed down is high gain on my JDS model.

Quote:   While it's not the only choice, even under $300, the ODAC is as audibly neutral as any DAC available. (I wish it accepted S/PDIF -- not because it's capable of improving sound quality -- because it would be much more convenient for me at the moment.) The HRT is also equally good...

Quote:   That's what happens when you listen to the sound of money flowing through your equipment. It's better to listen to movies, music, and other audio instead. In my opinion, anyway.

Quote:   1. The Q701 has a reputation for requiring more current than most dynamic headphones. Check the E11 specs before buying if you're concerned. The K240 may be easier to drive. Personally, I've used the Sennheiser HD-650 with the tiny E5 with quite good results.   2. Regardless...

Quote:   I have several pairs of what I guess are nice headphones. I listen to FLAC files. But, I also listen to MP3's. Don't be fool by those who say there's always a difference between MP3, CD, and FLAC. A good MP3 of almost anything will sound every bit as good as the CD original. (Of...

Quote:   Lorriman posted a great series of articles, maybe in this thread, about how various types of distortion are perceived by listeners (as lacking in bass, "soundstage", etc.) They'd be a good introduction to the effects of non-neutral DAC's and/or amps. His methods and conclusions...

Quote:   You originally claimed the ODAC was lacking in texture (which means the mixture of voices -- instruments and/or singers -- and the way they're combined in melody, harmony, and/or rhythm.) You next redefined neutral as meaning nothing more than a flat frequency response. Then...

Quote:   I was merely stating the facts. Your attempt at personal insult was unnecessary.