[Moys]

The software and ports issues I talked about are only related to the link I posted. The SMSL products are nice and perform well but they are known to have issues sometimes ( because of how cheap they are ). 
 
For other brands it should be ok most of the time. If you can invest some more you should definitly look elsewhere. 
 
The amp just gives more power, so it enhances the sound, even if your headphone is easy to drive, it could only be better, but I don't think that it's much needed.
 
So the best thing would be to get a good dac that might have an "light" amp build-in.
 
I could recommand these to you:
 
https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-D1-24-bit-Digital-to-Analog-Converter/dp/B006IPH5H2/ref=pd_sbs_23_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B006IPH5H2&pd_rd_r=WJ21SNT34Q5NBG1V1ZNC&pd_rd_w=DJ2NR&pd_rd_wg=NiBh3&psc=1&refRID=WJ21SNT34Q5NBG1V1ZNC
 
https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-DragonFly-Red-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B01DFMV4NQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1483889577&sr=1-2 if you want one that can be used everywhere
 
https://www.jdslabs.com/products/46/standalone-odac-rev-b/
 
This one also is SMSL but in this price range it should be safe: https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-M6-384KHz-asynchronous-Decoder/dp/B00WQXEBSG/ref=pd_sbs_23_9?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00WQXEBSG&pd_rd_r=G8GG8R2S1GVA3MF5S2WW&pd_rd_w=Zs2Ez&pd_rd_wg=7eUqI&psc=1&refRID=G8GG8R2S1GVA3MF5S2WW

 

[Moys]

Oh and if you want to put a little more you could get one of these two:
 
https://www.amazon.com/Yulong-DAART-Canary-ESS9018K2M-Headphone/dp/B01MT0N0YR?th=1
 
https://www.amazon.com/Aune-X1S-384KHz-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B014FCNXLQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1483891014&sr=1-1&keywords=aune+x1

 

[GREQ]

Originally Posted by Moys /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  https://www.amazon.com/Yulong-DAART-Canary-ESS9018K2M-Headphone/dp/B01MT0N0YR?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Aune-X1S-384KHz-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B014FCNXLQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1483891014&sr=1-1&keywords=aune+x1

 

Originally Posted by Moys /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  I could recommand these to you:
https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-D1-24-bit-Digital-to-Analog-Converter/dp/B006IPH5H2/ref=pd_sbs_23_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B006IPH5H2&pd_rd_r=WJ21SNT34Q5NBG1V1ZNC&pd_rd_w=DJ2NR&pd_rd_wg=NiBh3&psc=1&refRID=WJ21SNT34Q5NBG1V1ZNC
https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-DragonFly-Red-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B01DFMV4NQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1483889577&sr=1-2 if you want one that can be used everywhere
https://www.jdslabs.com/products/46/standalone-odac-rev-b/
This one also is SMSL but in this price range it should be safe: https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-M6-384KHz-asynchronous-Decoder/dp/B00WQXEBSG/ref=pd_sbs_23_9?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00WQXEBSG&pd_rd_r=G8GG8R2S1GVA3MF5S2WW&pd_rd_w=Zs2Ez&pd_rd_wg=7eUqI&psc=1&refRID=G8GG8R2S1GVA3MF5S2WW

I have to ask, but have you actually auditioned/owned any of this equipment?
It's very unusual for someone to recommend so much Chinese equipment around this forum.

 

[Moys]

No but they were recommended to me by someone that has a lot experience with chinese products. Someone working in a hi-fi selling website that features a lot of chinese products. 
 
Here people mainly go for schiit and other companies that are safe and well-known. They know for what they are going for and they put the needed price. 
 
The asian market ( just like the cheap chinese earbuds ) has a lot stuff for cheap but it can be risky. So I just want to suggest things that appear interesting. 

 

[GREQ]

OK, just so you know it goes against the Terms of Service of this forum to recommend products you have never heard or owned.
Basically passing on second hand information. 
You wouldn't normally recommend a car you've never driven, or a Hotel you've never stayed in or a movie you've never watched, so the same goes for audio equipment on this forum.
 
You can get banned for this.

 

[Moys]

I am not doing a review or telling which one is better.
 
Just providing links that look like what this person is looking for, then he can search by himself what matches with his needs or ask to people that know about them. 
 
I'm about to buy the nfb-11 so I looked for a lot of dac in this exact context ( I also have the M40x and I had the same concerns as the author ), the ones I shared are what I came across or what I have been suggested. 

 

[GREQ]

I am not doing a review or telling which one is better.
Just providing links that look like what this person is looking for, then he can search by himself what matches with his needs or ask to people that know about them. 

 

I could recommand these to you:
[cut]

Ok, just doesn't look that way to me.
You should be clear when directing people to equipment you don't have any experience with.

 

[WahWahWahh]

Hey GREQ, if you don't mind, I'd like to know your opinion on going the extra mile to buy the O2+ODAC rather than just the ODAC on its own. I feel like I may regret it if I don't get the combo now, but at the same time, I could regret getting the amp for the extra $130. Any thoughts?

 

[GREQ]

  Hey GREQ, if you don't mind, I'd like to know your opinion on going the extra mile to buy the O2+ODAC rather than just the ODAC on its own. I feel like I may regret it if I don't get the combo now, but at the same time, I could regret getting the amp for the extra $130. Any thoughts?

In think it's totally worth it.
There is an audible difference between listening directly from the DAC, and the amplified signal through the O2.
Simply put, it feels like the DAC is unable to drive the headphone properly with authority and finesse.
 
For this quick test, I listened through a Sony MDR-V900 which has 24 Ohm impedence and 107dB sensitivity - this headphone should be super easy to drive, but it sounded flat and boring through the DAC.
Through the O2 fed by the ODAC, it sounded alive.
 
Plus you get a super useful volume control on the front 

 

[WahWahWahh]

Interesting, well, you've sold me. 

 Looks like I'll be picking up the O2+ODAC combo, I'm gonna feel very guilty about it, but I know it'll be worth it. One more thing I'd like to know though, do you feel like the O2 (or even the ODAC) noticeably artificially colors sounds? I'm going to be using this setup for music production, so I want to stay neutral as much as possible. (No significant unnatural boosts to highs or lows for example) 

 

[GREQ]

The Objective stack was designed to be just that - Objective.
There were a few other design goals, but you're better off reading it all directly from the original creator's forum - http://nwavguy.blogspot.de/2011/07/o2-headphone-amp.html

 

[WahWahWahh]

Thank you for that link, after reading through it a bit, and searching around for more information on the O2+ODAC, I think I'm gonna go ahead and purchase it soon! Coming out of this thread, I have learned a lot, and I sincerely thank everyone who has replied to this thread!

 

[WahWahWahh]

Just to revive this thread for a second, after finding out purchasing the O2+ODAC would come to $500 AUD, I've decided to try and compromise and get a smaller DAC/Amp combo for the time being. I've looked at the Schiit Fulla 2, I'm happy with the price, but am wondering whether it would be a good choice for my ATH-M70x? Is it compatible etc. Or is it even a good DAC/Amp to begin with? Any advice or even recommendations for other DAC/Amp combos in the same price range as the Fulla 2 would be greatly appreciated. Also, sorry for being a bother.

 

[alynx]

I have this little fella which for all I know is basically a Micca Origen. It powers all my cans, incl HD 650 and DT 880s. I like the Objective stack better though. ^^ I dont know if u can get  specifically this model in your country, but maybe you can get the Origen.
 
[https://www.conrad.de/de/usb-audio-dac-20-hz-20-khz-192khz24bit-speaka-professional-1404113.html]