Hi, I have this DAC/amp ( Grace m903) and I use it to power AKG K 702s. Despite being 62 ohm cans, i need to run he amp at 80% volume to pwer these. It has an output impedance of 1.2 ohms and puts out 1200 mW @ 50 ohms, 240 mW @ 250 ohms and 100 mW @ 600 ohms. I use the balanced TRS outputs for...

I want to love the former because it can be had on the 2nd hand market. And it does not have the stupid features of the Benchmark, such as the popping on turning off, the unintuitive on/off system, and the noisy volume. I dont have opportunity to demo it, but I hope it wil be more of the same -...

Before you say anything, yes I used the search. I came up with this link.   http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/517082/what-makes-a-dac-better-than-another   It seems to say expensive DACs still sacrifice something... Now why are people spending $1000+ on DACs when there are supposedly...

Hi, What DAC and HF amp should get for these cans and active monitors.(xlr connection) using an iMac ( USB or optical out)? Some units that units that I am considering are: Antelope Zodiac Benchmark DAC1 USB Burson HA-160D Grace m903 Larry DA-11 Vioelectric HPA V800 + tbd amp Other Some are...

I currently own a set of Denon ADH-1100's but the plastic attaching the cups to the headbands are breaking. I'm thinking of using this as an excuse to buy something a little nicer. Is the HE-400 the best choice for about $400? I listen to a good variety of music from classical, rock to metal and...

Hi, I am on the verge of ordering a Grace Design m903 DAC/headphone amp to drive my AKG K702 headphones. They are rated at 62 ohms with a max power rating of 200 mW. The hf amp in the m903 has an output impedance of 1.2 ohm and has a max power output of about 1.2 watts @ 50 ohm and 600 mW at...

I'm thinking of a getting a DAC + headphone amplifier as long as I can both for under $2000. For the maximum price I've observed there are quite a few options - Benchmark, Grace m903, etc. But there are other interesting options like the Schiit entry combo in Asgard + Bifrost and higher level...

I really like my current Calyx DAC but with the way my system is expanding and changing I think the 903 would be a better fit.    I'd rather not have to buy one to hear it, and I don't want to sell/trade my Calyx until I hear it.    Basically, I'm wondering if there's anyone around Texas...

Besides the O2, and all Meier Corda amps, what other amps have low output impedances?

Very excited...ordered from B&H photo online and just arrived this morning! Only had it hooked up to the HD800's for about 30 minutes so far but i'm already thrilled! review to shortly follow. What an amazing unit this far.

Does anyone else have these headphones. I read around and everywhere people are saying that the treble is pretty bright but doesn't venture into sibilance. Well I just bought them and WOW they are VERY VERY sibilant to my ears.   People from this topic...

Basically i just wanna know how much better the 225s are than the 60s compared to the price difference? Thanks guys!  

My current setup consists of a Grace Design m903 ( DAC ), running balanced outs into a BUDA ( Amp ).  I currently use a pair of single ended Denon AH-D2000 headphones which honestly sound ridiculously good out of this setup.  I experience a little fatigue with the sealed AH-D2000 and am looking...

Grace Design updated their m903 with a new m920 model that has an ESS Sabre DAC with DSD decoding. More information here:   http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m920/m920.htm   Stereo analog inputs - balanced (+4dBu) XLR and unbalanced (-10dBv) RCA. Ultra low distortion 32-bit /384khz Sabre...

i brought the ATH-CKS90 looking for bass and great sound for a good price...boy was I fooled..I downloaded some FLACs then put in the earphones..I was like wow this can't be it  so I turned up the volume... what i got was noise and 0 to -0 bass.My $20 workout headphones has better bass. i do't...

I have enjoyed my closed AH-D2000's through the Grace m903 for some time now, but wanted to investigate open cans for two reasons.  The first of which is to find a can with a nice sound stage that can image well.  The last is to find an open can that is super comfortable that compliments my...

    INTRO   The internet makes it very interesting to be an audiophile. No matter what obscure piece of gear you want to learn about, you can almost always find someone out there who has experience with it. I’ve certainly learned a lot from the experience of others on this forum, and I...

Hello everyone I do realize that you shouldn't mix with headphones, but I'm moving out of my current location, and I will be without my gear for a couple of months, and I do need some really good headphones without busting up my bank account. After searching on this forum (great stuff around...

I wonder if there is such a DAC with both outstanding conversion performance and pre-amp functionality. I'm looking at the Lavry DA11 and Benchmark 1-pre. I know that they are both great DACs( seems like Lavry DAC sounds better) But I wonder how's the Pre-amp section? how would it compare to a...

Has anyone compared the two units?  Which is a better headphones amp?

Anyone pulled the cover off of this to look at the make and model of the op-amps that are used?

Anyone?  I think this has to be incredible especially with the asynch DAC!

Hello guys, I'm planning to buy a Fostex TH900 soon and I would like your ideas or recommendations on amp matching. I know Fostex TH900 is a relatively new product and not many people have heard it yet, but I hear from the high-ranking(?) members of Head-Fi that it is a glorious sounding...