~$1000 Amp/DAC combo?

[th0m]

What would you recommend?

I'm gonna use it with my computer and my soon-to-be-upgraded NAD C521BEE.

I've been looking a little at the Corda Opera and the PS Audio GCHA, but maybe there's something even better out there for about a grand?

I'll be using my HD650's (and possibly a pair of Grados in the future) with it.

 

[Kees]

A Headroom Desktop with Home modules/DAC would fit in your budget.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

HeadRoom Desktop Balanced with DAC.

 

[steaxauce]

Headroom doesn't pair well with Grados, though (at least according to reviews I've read). The Opera would be more versatile. There's also the option of the Lavry DA10 or a DAC like it. The DA10's balanced outputs drive the HD650 extremely well, and its single-ended headphone amp is about on the level of the gilmore light with low impedance headphones.

 

[D1g1talV3n0m]

PS Audio GCHA is what I am using. I thoroughly enjoy it. It retains all details even at low listening levels which is something I really am glad it has.

The GCHA is detailed but still "fun" and is just a good looking and sounding AMP/DAC.

If I buy another 1,000$ unit it will be a Meier Corda Opera though for sure.

 

[showflash]

Don't know which amp I would get but the DAC I would get would be the Benchmark DAC-1

http://www.stereophile.com/digitalpr...886/index.html

 

[epaludo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by showflash /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't know which amp I would get but the DAC I would get would be the Benchmark DAC-1 http://www.stereophile.com/digitalpr...886/index.html

The Benchmark DAC-1 is a DAC with a headphone amp built in, so you got both DAC and amp together ...

 

[th0m]

The DAC1 sure looks nice. How does it compare to the Opera?

 

[steaxauce]

It's balanced outputs will probably beat the Opera with the HD650 (not positive, though), but that would require a recable. The balanced outputs wouldn't drive Grados very well; their impedance is too low. The built in single ended headphone amp was a tack-on and nothing special. It won't do a great job with Grados, either. If you don't mind balancing the HD650, I'd go with the Lavry. Most people prefer the sound quality of the Lavry's DAC to the benchmark's, and like I said the Lavry's built in headphone amp is very good with low impedance headphones such as Grados. If you used the HD650 with them though, you'd definitely want to use its balanced outputs.

The Corda Opera would also be an excellent option. It's an excellent headphone amp and a good DAC. If you don't want to recable your HD650, that's the one I recommend.

 

[GAD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees /img/forum/go_quote.gif A Headroom Desktop with Home modules/DAC would fit in your budget.

That's what I would probably do.

GAD

 

[blessingx]

Lavry DA10 balanced for the Senns and Grado single-ended in the front... as mentioned above.
The Lavrys output compares quite favorably to some of the well respected amps around here (I like it better than NX01, EC01, HR2, etc.). In fact I'm having trouble affording an amp that isn't equal or worse than its built in (okay, not the worse problem to have).

 

[th0m]

I've been reading some now, and the DA10 looks very interesting. How good is the DAC in this?

I was thinking maybe buying one to use balanced with my 650's and later get a dedicated hp amp and use the Lavry only as a DAC.

Does it sound like a good idea?

 

[Redo]

Stello DA100 and a Millet Hybrid from the F/S forums

 

[adanac061]

There are always x-dac v3 's and x-can v3's floating around in f/s and ebay forum.
would come under $1000 and would rival any of the other suggestions.

 

[th0m]

Argh... there's too many options... damn you all!

Seriously, I think I'll go the easy way and just save up for a fully pimped HR Desktop Balanced and then try to be satisfied with that. I'll get mad if I keep sitting here oogling all kinds of strange amps.

Thanks though.