[crazyface]

Hi. Are there are any quality combo units in the $200-$300 range, that offer quality upsampling? Or would I be better off just getting two seperate pieces?

I'm just after a stopgap solution until I'm out of college and can afford something really good (like the Raptor). So a combo unit would probably be the most economical choice for me I think, and easiest to deal with. I just want something that's going to be "definitely good-enough" - it doesn't have to be amazing, I wouldn't expect that in this price range, but I just want something that's not going to muck up my music -- that'll give me the basic goods.

Presently I have neither an amp nor a DAC and am running my SR225's straight out of my computer. yeah i know

anyway, along with the amp/dac, I plan to get a pair of ER4's, since I also need a pair of closed phones for isolation. so whatever amp/dac i get would need to work well with both, ideally.

Thanks.

 

[crazyface]

Oh, and quality is more important than portability, in my case, but I guess in this price range most of what I'd be dealing with would be the portable stuff. Just saying, though.

 

[MaloS]

E-MU 0404 USB
Total Bithead
Headphonia
Meier Audio Porta-Corda USB

Hope that gives you something to look at.

 

[Packgrog]

There's also the Core Sound HeadLine. I heard one at the NYC Meet a little over a week ago. It was OK. I prefer the sound from my Tomahawk, personally. The HeadLine is built like a *****ing brick, though. SOLID.

It also depends on what kind of DAC input you're looking for. If it's just USB, then you might be better off with MaloS's suggestions. I think I've read some nice things about the Headphonia...

-Packgrog

 

[crazyface]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions. I'll search around for reviews on all of these.

 

[Mrvile]

Don't forget the Zhaolu.

 

[PeterDLai]

I'm an amp newbie. What does the "Discrete Headphone Amp Module" add to the Zhaolu?

 

[Uncle Erik]

If you can stretch your budget to around $400, you can pick up a PreSonus Central Station. It has an excellent solid state headphone amp, and the DAC upsamples to 192kHz. It's an excellent unit; take a look at Ferbose's in-depth review as well as Music Man's posts about switching over to them for studio work. I've had mine for over a year now and cannot be happier with it.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyface /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi. Are there are any quality combo units in the $200-$300 range, that offer quality upsampling? Or would I be better off just getting two seperate pieces? I'm just after a stopgap solution until I'm out of college and can afford something really good (like the Raptor). So a combo unit would probably be the most economical choice for me I think, and easiest to deal with. I just want something that's going to be "definitely good-enough" - it doesn't have to be amazing, I wouldn't expect that in this price range, but I just want something that's not going to muck up my music -- that'll give me the basic goods. Presently I have neither an amp nor a DAC and am running my SR225's straight out of my computer. yeah i know anyway, along with the amp/dac, I plan to get a pair of ER4's, since I also need a pair of closed phones for isolation. so whatever amp/dac i get would need to work well with both, ideally. Thanks.

Don't worry.. We all start somewhere.. Personally I would suggest a used Cordia Aria.. They retail for 450.00..But some can be had for 350 or so used..IMO that would be your best option..& I'd save up for it..

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you can stretch your budget to around $400, you can pick up a PreSonus Central Station. It has an excellent solid state headphone amp, and the DAC upsamples to 192kHz. It's an excellent unit; take a look at Ferbose's in-depth review as well as Music Man's posts about switching over to them for studio work. I've had mine for over a year now and cannot be happier with it.

X2.. More versatile then the Cordia Aria.. & from what I read, sounds like it has a better DAC too..

 

[crazyface]

Okay! I have been recommended the Aria by others - but the Presonus sounds interesting to me too!
Now I must decide between them...but both I must buy used to fit my budget! Sadly I must wait another month to post in the WTB section of this forum...and make tons more posts.

So I will have to wait.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyface /img/forum/go_quote.gif Okay! I have been recommended the Aria by others - but the Presonus sounds interesting to me too! Now I must decide between them...but both I must buy used to fit my budget! Sadly I must wait another month to post in the WTB section of this forum...and make tons more posts. So I will have to wait.

I'd go with the Presonus.. It's dac portion has been compared favorablly to the DAC1..a 1,000 DAC.. & the Presonus headphone amp is probally better then the DAC1's amp.. Also the Presonus is VERY versatile..It Will give you yrs of pleasure IMO..Great Bang for the Buck.. Buying used is fine..I bought two of my DACS used.. Saved over 500.00 combined..

 

[crazyface]

Ok! I will try for Presonus. I thank you for your help.

 

[crazyface]

Oh, but I must ask -
It is 24/192 COMPATIBLE, or it does actually upsample on its own, no software necessary?

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyface /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh, but I must ask - It is 24/192 COMPATIBLE, or it does actually upsample on its own, no software necessary?

It does not really matter, up-sampling does not change sound quality >.< (tested, nothing I could pick-up)