[xLox]

Hi,
 
I've bought new headphones Audio-technica ATH-AD700, and I want to buy DAC+AMP combo.
I'm deciding between Xonar Essence and MicroStreamer, but I don't know which one choose.
I know that Essence is internal and MicroStreamer is external, but it's not important for me.
I want to use it only with my PC, so most important feature for me is quality of DAC part.
These headphones have quite low impedance so I don't need very powerful AMP part.
 
Thanks in advance, and sorry for my bad english. 

 

 

[PurpleAngel]

I would say to use an Xonar DX or D1 sound card and a Schiit Magni headphone amplifier.
The Magni's headphone output impedance is less then 1-Ohm (the ST/STX is 10-Ohms).
The Magni low impedance might benefit the audio quality of the 32-Ohm AD700.

 

[GaryWA]

  I would say to use an Xonar DX or D1 sound card and a Schiit Magni headphone amplifier.
The Magni's headphone output impedance is less then 1-Ohm (the ST/STX is 10-Ohms).
The Magni low impedance might benefit the audio quality of the 32-Ohm AD700.

Why wouldn't you just go with either the Schiit stack or the ODAC+AMP?
 
http://schiit.com/products/magni
http://schiit.com/products/modi
 
http://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/o2-odac-combo/

 

[PurpleAngel]

 
Why wouldn't you just go with either the Schiit stack or the ODAC+AMP?
 
http://schiit.com/products/magni
http://schiit.com/products/modi
 
http://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/o2-odac-combo/

The Modi and ODAC may offer better sound quality, but USB bypasses the sound card (both on-board and add-on internal sound card).
I would think the CS4398 DAC chip in the DX/D1 would keep most people happy.

 

[xLox]

These products are not available in my country.
That's why I'm choosing between Essence and MicroStreamer.

 

[GaryWA]

What country are you in?

 

[xLox]

Czech Republic

 

[PurpleAngel]

  These products are not available in my country.
That's why I'm choosing between Essence and MicroStreamer.

I vote Essence, lots more features (like Headphone surround sound, which I assume the Microstreamer does not have)
The AD700 is 32-Ohm, so technically a headphone amplifier with an output impedance of 4-ohms or less would be preferred, the Essence output impedance is 10-Ohms, but nothing perfect.
Have no idea on the Microstreamers headphone output impedance.
Still vote Essence.

 

[xLox]

  I vote Essence, lots more features (like Headphone surround sound, which I assume the Microstreamer does not have)
The AD700 is 32-Ohm, so technically a headphone amplifier with an output impedance of 4-ohms or less would be preferred, the Essence output impedance is 10-Ohms, but nothing perfect.
Have no idea on the Microstreamers headphone output impedance.
Still vote Essence.

Thank you for your help.
 
EDIT: Any other opinion?