[AviP]

I currently have a E07K which I will use as my DAC for the foreseeable future, so I'm currently considering either a E09K or a Schiit Magni 2 (I would use a L7 dock for a line out from E07K to the Magni 2).
What are my other amp options in that price range? (<130$)
Also, any other insight into this setup would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[AviP]

Anyone?

 

[mindbomb]

o2 amp and fiio k5

 

[PinkyPowers]

Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 Amplifier
http://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_a1

 

[AviP]

o2 amp and fiio k5

O2 is out of my budget and k5 isn't for sale yet and besides the dock won't be compatible with my E07K, so I'd rather get the E09K unless the k5 has some killer feature

 

[AviP]

Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 Amplifier
http://www.mav-audio.com/base/product/tube_magic_a1

Looks interesting, but it's way too far past my price range

 

[PinkyPowers]

Of all these options, the Magni 2 is probably your best bet. For the price, it doesn't get much better. Schiit makes fine products indeed.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Looks interesting, but it's way too far past my price range

 
You might consider selling off the DT770 and put all your audio budget for better headphones.
Nothing really against the DT770, but there are headphones with stronger vocals and easier to drive then the DT770.
Audio Technica and Soundmagic have headphones that should easily be driven by the E07K.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AviP /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I currently have a E07K which I will use as my DAC for the foreseeable future, so I'm currently considering either a E09K or a Schiit Magni 2 (I would use a L7 dock for a line out from E07K to the Magni 2).

What are my other amp options in that price range? (<130$)

 

http://www.amazon.com/Pangea-Audio-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00TA6Z8XY

http://www.audiobot9000.com/match/sennheiser/hd-600/with/pangea-audio/hp-101-tube-headphone-amplifier

http://www.audiobot9000.com/match/beyerdynamic/dt-770-pro-250-ohms/with/pangea-audio/hp-101-tube-headphone-amplifier

 

I have one and it's not bad for $100 - I wouldn't have purchased it for $249 considering I can just get the O2+ODAC for a little more (I still didn't pay for it at $99, got it as a Christmas present from my parents and brother, but I'm definitely not disappointed). Tonally it's similar enough to my Meier Cantate.2 (which is malfuncitoning and I haven't met up with the guy who might be able to fix it) - generally neutral enough, smoothened response on some things that some other amps would make too sharp (like cymbals), but overall tone isn't noticeably warmer than my other back up amp, a Rega Ear v2. One downside though is that at 2:00 on the dial it develops some noise, whereas the Meier and the O2 are dead silent. Still, if I actually listened at that setting, I'd be deaf by now (and I've only had it two weeks), so in actual use it's a non-issue. I use an HD600 which is open back, so you might need a lot less out of it with a closed back headphone like the DT770.

 

I use it with a D-Zero though instead of its own USB input. The drivers aren't a problem on their own as my smartphone actually worked with it, but I was getting a lot of low volume pops. Will try getting additional power. A shame though as the D-Zero is noticeably warmer than when using the HP101 via USB (and with my PC so it won't have the pops).
 

 

That said, why not just save up? Use the E7 now, save that $130, and then soon enough you might have $250 for an Asgard2 or ~$160 for a Vali2 or Magni2 Uber.