[rhyick]

Got both the HE-500 and O2/ODAC (set at 1X/2.5X gain) in today.. sounds great!  The amp/dac is definitely transparent and doesn't add any color to the sound, if that's what you are after.

 

[WiR3D]

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Well one thing i noticed was significantly different with the icon hdp was the bass of the d5s was much more pronounced, had more impact, and quantity. Is this generally uncommon of amps?

 
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Anyone have opinions of the Nuforce Icon 2 HD/P? Heard really good things about it. How would it compare to the O2+ODAC?

In my sig is a link for Denon amps. 
 
For Denons you want low output impedance, a high output impedance bloats and muddies the bass. Also they need lots of current, and because the headphones are coloured and have a dominating character, you want a transparent and detailed and uncoloured amp. 
 
The nuforce is **** for Denons, its got high output impedance and is coloured as hell. 
 
I think everyone is right with the ODAC O2 combo, or a Schiit combo (I'm also not a fan of theirs but you can't deny the value) or an AudioGD rig, which will have tons of reserve power and I have seen quite a few people use some of their DAC/Amp combos for both Denons and the HE-500 to great success. You may just want to go for one of the more smoother sounding ones (all their gear is quite neutral.)

 

[Deathdeisel]

Mind explaining which Audio GD? Searched it and got a ton of results.

 

[WiR3D]

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Mind explaining which Audio GD? Searched it and got a ton of results.

Well thats the thing, almost if not all of them suit the Denons, although I would avoid the SA (musical flavour) series, and wait for someone else to be the test dummy with Denons.
 
Find the Audio-GD ones in your budget and start there.

 

[chrislangley4253]

I would recommend you stay far, far away from Audio-GD. Their products are incredibly hit or miss and all designed purely by ear with little to no measuring. The fact that they have such a great following on here blows my mind.

Their "sparrow" dac/amp I had was absolutely terrible.. Despite all the praise on here.

 

[Xaborus]

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Voldemort is a reference to the designer of the Odac. Hopefully I don't get in trouble for explaining that.. I don't think I'm really allowed to mention him. But, his products are so.. prominent on here, it's kinda hard to avoid doing so. So, he has a few nicknames. *shrugs*
 
He wasn't very fond of schiit audio. So, he'd be at least partially upset at seeing his design coupled with one of their amps.

Also, he hasn't posted anything in forever. That's kind of a part of the pun too.. I'm calling him dead.
 
I think it makes sense. It's kinda late 

If your talking about who im talking about, the "designer of the ODAC" was banned from head-fi. You cant even mention his name without getting your post deleted. Personally i have a conspiracy that Head-fi is working with botique audio companies to try to supress his product and ideaologies, because obviously his products are superior products to 99% of what is out there for budget prices.
 
Alas, this post will probably get deleted by a mod.

 

[Deathdeisel]

Interesting, wonder if they are doing any kind of loaner programs atm. Would be awesome to A/B them with a few phones. Currently am sticking to asgard(form, clean look, etc.) Considering its on par with the 02 supposedly, and pairing with the ODAC.

 

[billerb1]

I have the Denon D5000's and am considering an upgrade from my Total Bithead.  I've read very good things about the Yulong D100 MKII pairing with the Denons...in fact I just started a thread to see if I can get some more specific feedback on that pairing.  It may be worth checking out...a little higher than your budget but should come in about $450.

 

[Deathdeisel]

Damn, why you gotta mention stuff like that? Ill have to look at it lol. Looks nice, just a matter of if the sound is nice. If its a nice enough unit I dont mind spending 50$ more. Anyone else have opinions of it?

 

[WiR3D]

Quote:

I would recommend you stay far, far away from Audio-GD. Their products are incredibly hit or miss and all designed purely by ear with little to no measuring. The fact that they have such a great following on here blows my mind.

Their "sparrow" dac/amp I had was absolutely terrible.. Despite all the praise on here.

Sorry what?! He posts measurements of all of his stuff. I need some kind of proof, or I'm calling BS.
 
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If your talking about who im talking about, the "designer of the ODAC" was banned from head-fi. You cant even mention his name without getting your post deleted. Personally i have a conspiracy that Head-fi is working with botique audio companies to try to supress his product and ideaologies, because obviously his products are superior products to 99% of what is out there for budget prices.
 
Alas, this post will probably get deleted by a mod.

Search his name, find his banned user account, it has a custom title with a link to Judes official response. READ IT. And yes you can mention his name, happens all the time, but rather just don't. 
No conspiracy. 
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Damn, why you gotta mention stuff like that? Ill have to look at it lol. Looks nice, just a matter of if the sound is nice. If its a nice enough unit I dont mind spending 50$ more. Anyone else have opinions of it?

Its one of the best items to buy for Denons. Seriously read the link in my sig.
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I have the Denon D5000's and am considering an upgrade from my Total Bithead.  I've read very good things about the Yulong D100 MKII pairing with the Denons...in fact I just started a thread to see if I can get some more specific feedback on that pairing.  It may be worth checking out...a little higher than your budget but should come in about $450.

Lots of feedback available.

 

[Deathdeisel]

So I just noticed the Yulong only puts out  900mw on high. Correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt that cause performance loss on the He-500s? 

 

[WiR3D]

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So I just noticed the Yulong only puts out  900mw on high. Correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt that cause performance loss on the He-500s? 

fek... forgot about the HE500, yes it would. 

 

[Deathdeisel]

Haha thanks regardless. I really like to consider ALL of my options when making any kind of an investment. Thats why im really picky about all of my purchases. 

 

[chrislangley4253]

Quote:

I have the Denon D5000's and am considering an upgrade from my Total Bithead.  I've read very good things about the Yulong D100 MKII pairing with the Denons...in fact I just started a thread to see if I can get some more specific feedback on that pairing.  It may be worth checking out...a little higher than your budget but should come in about $450.

I don't like Yulong either 

 
@Wir3D
 
Audio GD is always going on about how they choose specific components based on how they sound and not how they measure.. Feel free to think Audio GD is the bees knees. I don't like how they run their company, I don't like how they market their products, i don't like their amp/dac designs.. And I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to say so. It's just an opinion. I don't care to dig up specific examples.. OP can feel free to look into Audio GD and render his own opinions. I don't like them, and that's that. No one has to listen to me I'd rather them do the research anyhow.
 
I think it's time for me to escort myself out of this thread. Best of luck Deathdeisel

 

[Deathdeisel]

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I don't like Yulong either 

 
@Wir3D
 
Audio GD is always going on about how they choose specific components based on how they sound and not how they measure.. Feel free to think Audio GD is the bees knees. I don't like how they run their company, I don't like how they market their products, i don't like their amp/dac designs.. And I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to say so. It's just an opinion. I don't care to dig up specific examples.. OP can feel free to look into Audio GD and render his own opinions. I don't like them, and that's that. No one has to listen to me I'd rather them do the research anyhow.
 
I think it's time for me to escort myself out of this thread. Best of luck Deathdeisel

Haha okay, thanks again for the help and guidance bud. Regardless of opinions, you did help quite a bit in helping me understand the idea of headphones/amps a bit more.