[squashi]

Hey! Sadly there is no place near me to try out different amps, but would like to upgrade the Amp for my totl HPs: LCD-5, Utopia, & HE-1000SE

Right now I'm using a dx320 with amp 12 module (supposedly "provides 2000mA"), but thinking about using line out to use the DAPs DAC to then an external amplifier. It seems the DAC chip in the dx320 is competent, and these headphones aren't that picky with DAC compared to AMP, but perhaps a desktop DAC is better (under $700)?

From what I've seen, apparently these LCD-5 and Utopia really benefit from an AMP with more current, budget is ~1500. Looking for amps with better detail and more current, anyone have suggestions?

 

[Haidar]

Questyle makes current mode headphone amps, although some of them have a built-in DAC
Check out https://www.questyle.com/language/en/home/

 

[dunring]

The cheapest way is the SMSL DL200 which outputs 5 volts as a DAC for $189 and the Sabaj A20h amplifier can benefit from it for $89 currently on Amazon. I have the amp and it's excellent, stunned they sell for so little.