[sloomingbla]

I currently own the Ultrasone signature djs and am looking forward to getting the Fostex th900s within the next year.
 
I currently have owned the objective o2 amp (never bought a dac before) and although there is a large improvement in soundstage and detail in the djs I feel as though they did add a bit to the highs which I wasn't a fan of personally.
 
About a week ago though the amp broke and I am looking for a replacement, hopefully with a dac to pair with it as well.
 
I am currently looking for a full sized desktop amp/dac combo under 600$ and my only requirement is that they do well with very sensitive headphones and they don't add to the highs. (as neutral as possible, warm sounding if anything)
 
Thanks in advance for your help guys ^.^

 

[nottheface]

The Grace Design 9xx can be had on Massdrop for about $500.  It uses the same DAC chip as the Schiit Bifrost and by most accounts performs on par with $1,200 DAC/Amps. 

 

[Rhamnetin]

I was going to say the Parasound ZDac v.2, but its 10 Ohm output impedance makes it not ideal for very sensitive headphones.

 

[sloomingbla]

Hmm. The grace design looks perfect, but i don't know if there will be any left by the time i actually decide to buy an amp (probably 5 months, give or take a month).
 
And yes unfortunately i am going to be running pretty sensitive headphones. The th900 isn't too sensitive, but it would probably benefit from an amp developed for more sensitive headphones anyways.

 

[Music Path]

ifi idac 2 + ifi ican 
or check audio gd, they have some good options too at good prices.

 

[greenpsycho]

I second the ifi stack. They make up my strongest system, and I was very impressed by what the little ican can do. It's going to add to the price, but the iusb is almost essential (unfortunately)

 

[JoeDoe]

1. Grace 9xx
2. Bifrost/Asgard 2
3. NFB 29

 

[sloomingbla]

I really like the look of that list. If the grace is sold out by the time i get an amp then i was actually thinking about going the schiit route.

 

[netterly]

I am looking for a good DAC/amp under 500$ preferably all-in one to match HD650 phone. What do you think will be better among these:
 
- NAD D1050 DAC
- NuForce Icon HDP
- iFi Micro iDSD
 
Thank you

 

[JoeDoe]

I'd go for the DSD. Tons of power and that extra features list is unbeatable!

 

[DrSheep]

CEntrance HiFi-M8.

 

[yoyowiggle]

I too am looking for the best desktop DAC/AMP combo under 800.
 
I have the NAD HP50, HD650, RHAT20i, and plan on getting the ETHER C soon. I want clean, articulate, great sound stage, detailed and accurate, and something that definitely has the wow factor. 
 
I just tried the Vali2/Modi2Uber combo and was not excited about the sound. 
 
Thanks! 
 
-Mike

 

[varzyl]

  I just tried the Vali2/Modi2Uber combo and was not excited about the sound. 
 

 
Can you elaborate a bit more? It's a combo i'm taking into consideration. What cans were you using? Stock tube? What do you think it was lacking?

 

[internaught]

All these ifi devices are like over $600 bucks.
 
http://www.amazon.com/iFi-DSD512-PCM768-Double-Headphone/dp/B00M50FLWK

 

[yoyowiggle]

I used my T20is, and 650's i definately felt that the sound was muddy in the lows and not as clear and articulate in the highs, the midrange was nice, but still vieled. I was using the stock tube for the vali 2. It also seemed a little slow in response.

-Mike