[BlackWaterPark]

I need some expert advice, in getting a good home use (or portable) DAC; Something that would compliment DarkVoice 336 and HD 650. My setup is going to be MacBook Pro + USB DAC + DarkVoice 336C (not purchased yet).
 
I am looking to drive my HD 650 and Denon D2000. I must add that I do have Fiio E10 that works well with the Denon D200, however i am not sure if it would the best DAC for DarkVoice? 
 
If my wallet allowed i would go for the best of the best equipment available in the market, but unfortunately that's not the case - i have a tight budget around USD 200 +/-
 
Kind Regards,

 

[BlackWaterPark]

Has any one paired the Pico Upsampling USB DAC with DarkVoice 336? I been search the forums but there isnt a clear winner nor a clear match recommendation

 

[bowei006]

Hmm. portable or desktop or both?
The MAveric Tube MAgic D1 is pretty popular and is desktop only @ $200
And then there's some ibasso's like the D2+BOA but i don't know how good that one is.
And then there's the new E17 :/
and the just as coveted Nuforce Icon HD
 
since u posted in the portable section im going to guess you need a portable DAC? That can also be used desktop?
Then the e17 :/ it's currently one of the most looked at amp/DAC's on head fi....don't know if it will complement something like the DV 336 though

 

[BlackWaterPark]

I been reading and reading and reading through the forum, the more i read the more confused i get

 
The Maverick Tube Magic D1 does looks very appealing from a price point prospective, wonder how it pairs directly with HD 650 and with DV 336 - any idea on that ?
 
I was also looking at BITFROST + DV 336 (no idea how it pairs) or LYR+BITFROST - these are way out of my budget but since i haven't gotten the DV 336 at this point, i am guessing the best way fwd might be to save up and get one of these combinations.
 
So my options seem to be (not in any particular order of preference)

:
 

• Maverick Tube Magic D1
• Pico Portable USB DAC/Amp
• LYR+BITFROS
• BITFROST + DV 336
• Pico Upsampling USB DAC + DV 336
• Yulong D100 + DV 336

 

[bowei006]

So I see where you are going. You are lloooking at all in one's. but the one's that aren't all in one look more appealing since they it has a tube amp with it as well. Hmm, and then there's the synergy. with so many combo's it's impossible to know how well it will fair. I am more for a guy that would prefer to get a bigger Tube DAC and then a good amp and not an all in one if you had the cash. :/ 
 
Oh btw. im just adding some comentary, personal opinions and what not. This is above my range of people i help. i am just a bit curious and providing some input for discussion. Nt real recommendations and other stuff either. Also my post Bump's up your post so that's a plus as well :/

 

[Temptedv2]

Quote:

I been reading and reading and reading through the forum, the more i read the more confused i get

 
The Maverick Tube Magic D1 does looks very appealing from a price point prospective, wonder how it pairs directly with HD 650 and with DV 336 - any idea on that ?
 
I was also looking at BITFROST + DV 336 (no idea how it pairs) or LYR+BITFROST - these are way out of my budget but since i haven't gotten the DV 336 at this point, i am guessing the best way fwd might be to save up and get one of these combinations.
 
So my options seem to be (not in any particular order of preference)

:
 

• Maverick Tube Magic D1
• Pico Portable USB DAC/Amp
• LYR+BITFROS
• BITFROST + DV 336
• Pico Upsampling USB DAC + DV 336
• Yulong D100 + DV 336

wheres the E17 lol , its a usb+dac too , even though i read its not as good as the E11 in terms of amping
 

 

[BlackWaterPark]

Quote:

wheres the E17 lol , its a usb+dac too , even though i read its not as good as the E11 in terms of amping
 

 
well actually I was considering it initially;  but then I have E10 & E11 – I feel the need to go a step higher (without disrespecting FIIO or E17) try another company another make… so I left it out.
 
Clearly I am losing my mind over this and most possibly my sleep as well

 
 

 

[BlackWaterPark]

Ok ! after more reading and in agreement with what my wallet (coming to my sense) have to say, I am pretty must zeroed in on Mx1 (unless someone who has them feels this is a bad setup to drive 650's)
 
I have changed my options and narrowed it down to:
 

• Audinst HUD-mx1 USB DAC/amp + LYR
• Audinst HUD-mx1 USB DAC/amp + Schiit Valhalla
• Audinst HUD-mx1 USB DAC/amp + DV 336 / 337
• Audinst HUD-mx1 USB DAC/amp + LD MK III

 
The first two are bit outside my budget at this point, but if its the best combo i can have to do justice for my 650's then i am willing to wait and save up-to them; alternatively if LD MK III and DV are good options as well i can get to them bit earlier

 

[BlackWaterPark]

Any suggestions any one?
 
There are tons of pages but unfortunately no clear winners given the constraints (esp. monetary ones).
 
Glad, I could find some retailers here in Singapore who have them available in stock, I will be doing a test next week on the Schiit & DV

 

[uelover]

Never give the Maverick D2 a chance?

 

[BlackWaterPark]

Never give the Maverick D2 a chance?

No couldn't find a place to try and demo the Maverick D2;

I did manage to demo the Bifrost + LYR - they sounded so good ended up bringing the pair home. :atsmile:

 

[oggdude]

I'm new to the world of dacs and amps for audiophile purposes but to my ears the internal dac + amp of the MBP 13" isn't too bad, would the fiio e17 or ibasso D zero boa make a noticeable improvement using AKG K702's?

 

[Mark-sf]

I'm new to the world of dacs and amps for audiophile purposes but to my ears the internal dac + amp of the MBP 13" isn't too bad, would the fiio e17 or ibasso D zero boa make a noticeable improvement using AKG K702's?

I have no direct experience with the E17 but have a D-Zero that I use with my MBPro and my Beyer DT1350s and Sennheiser HD700s. In both cases ther is a big improvement in the frequency extremes and with complex material. I agree that the stock MB setup is not bad but if you are listening to high bit-rate (320k) or lossless and want an excellent value upgrade, the D-Zero delivers.

 

[oggdude]

Thanks for the advice dude, i got an apogee one for the added ability to record as well but when i get the funds again i'm definitely going to look at the d-zero.