irjoe
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2007
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Bumping an old thread... would the duet serve as a good DAC to couple with a tube amp like the LD MKiii?
Anyone notice the difference between line outs and headphone outs? Is the difference noticeable? Is it worthwhile to purchase an amp for this DAC?
Bob
I've been using Apogee Duet 2 as my main DAC and i didn't noticed any significant difference between line outs and headphone out.
It's a great device and you definitely CAN drive headphones like Sennheiser HD600, HD650 and so but i'd recommend adding amp to it. I did noticed a difference when adding Schiit Asgard 2 to my chain (i've tried few others too and a could hear the difference) - especially with the low end and soundstage.
Duet 2 is little bit on the bright side so i'd pair it with warmer amp.
I did noticed a difference when adding Schiit Asgard 2 to my chain...
Is the Schiit Asgard a warmer amp? A good pairing for the Apogee?
Yes - in my opinion. It's a solid state but it's a warm amp. Slightly laid back.
Brighter amp would make Duet 2 sound a little bit too forward and maybe a little bit harsh (it also depends on headphones of course).
I've been using Apogee Duet 2 as my main DAC and i didn't noticed any significant difference between line outs and headphone out.
It's a great device and you definitely CAN drive headphones like Sennheiser HD600, HD650 and so but i'd recommend adding amp to it. I did noticed a difference when adding Schiit Asgard 2 to my chain (i've tried few others too and a could hear the difference) - especially with the low end and soundstage.
Duet 2 is little bit on the bright side so i'd pair it with warmer amp.
How have you found the Duet when compared with other DAC/amps?
I am comparing mine to an ODAC/O2 that I also posess. At first they sounded similar with the exception of new depth added to the sound stage with the a Duet. Was this worth the extra money? But then I find it helps to become acquainted with the "sound" of the Duet for some time before critically comparing it to the O2. This is where the detail in the differences with the timbre of each sound becomes more aparent to me when comparing the same music to the O2. I am definitely impressed by the Duet.
Bob
PS: I EQed the music to offset the boost in treble that the headphone amp has on the Duet.
I have a question for you. Does the Duet impart an analog type sound to the music? Or is what I am hearing a 100% accurate representation of the music? For that matter, I do not know what an analog type of sound is suppose to sound like. I am just guessing here. Maybe this analog-like sound is only in action when the Soft Limiting feature is invoked?
Bob