[qwes]

Hello everyone,

as per title I was looking to start listening music to a better level and, for this reason, I was looking to a good Dac and an Amp.
At the moment I'm using a Focusrite Scarlett Solo (I also have an old MOTU Ultralite MK3).
This is the list of the headphone that I have already:

-2 pair of AKG K 240 MK II (one made in Austria and the second one is a China style)
- AKG K 701
- AKG K 702
- Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Technics EAH-F50B (that I like too much at the moment)

In the future I would like to try, maybe, the Beyer DT880 and the Sennheiser 650, or a better ones but I don't know, I'm a bit afraid about spending too much in headphones despite that they are the most significant improve component in the chain.

For what I understood until now for a nice start the iFi Zen Dac is a good starting point as it has already also a not so bad amp but, for a much better result, would be better to combine the Dac with the iFi Can.

Then, at the moment I saw that iFi made a new "signature" for these products with a special EQ for the Drop 6XX.

So, to recap, at the moment we have:

- iFi Zen Dac + iFi Zen Can = 310€
- iFi Zen Dac Signature + iFi Zen Can Signature in combo = 549

Said that, as I'm already nearby the 550€ range in the meanwhile I saw that they also have an interesting "new" Dac&Amp, the iFi NEO iDSD.

The question now is, as I can spent the 750€ for the NEO, which is your suggestions?
I mean, it would be better start with the Zen Dac & Can combo or starting directly with the NEO?
And, talking about the signature, as I don't have any Sennheiser at the moment, have I to avoid it? Does't it have something "more" than the classic version?
The price is higher than the no signature version for the bundle (2 iPower X e and the 4.4mm pair cable) but, only for that?

Ah, anyway, I just listed these hardware because I found a lot of info about them but I'm open also to something other like Topping and Schiit, for example.

I hope it wasn't too confusing
Thanks in advance!

 

[iFi audio]

The question now is, as I can spent the 750€ for the NEO, which is your suggestions?
I mean, it would be better start with the Zen Dac & Can combo or starting directly with the NEO?

Our products' performance is tiered accordingly to their price, so the more mone you spend, the better sound you'll achieve. Our NEO iDSD has wiereless input and ZEN DAC doesn't, but ZENs from the Signature range feature a great analog EQ tailored for many Sennheiser cans. Having said that, can you tell me more about your pirorities?

 

[qwes]

Our products' performance is tiered accordingly to their price, so the more mone you spend, the better sound you'll achieve. Our NEO iDSD has wiereless input and ZEN DAC doesn't, but ZENs from the Signature range feature a great analog EQ tailored for many Sennheiser cans. Having said that, can you tell me more about your pirorities?

First of all thank you for your answer.
Pretty clear for me that th NEO is a tier up the Dac+Can and, as I'm at the start of this "adventure" I was asking if it does have sense starting from the entry Dac or if it's better starting directly with something "better".

No particular priority/necessity but I'm open to any suggestions, or better, I don't know what to expect doing this jump
Large/wide soundstage is something that I would like to hear.
Typical use: mainly rock/punk but I also listen a lot of other different genres like classical music.
Desktop use at the moment.

I have already some FLAC albums but in general Spotify on PC is the main source.
For now my cans are the ones listed in the first post.

Thanks again!

 

[iFi audio]

First of all thank you for your answer.
Pretty clear for me that th NEO is a tier up the Dac+Can and, as I'm at the start of this "adventure" I was asking if it does have sense starting from the entry Dac or if it's better starting directly with something "better".

No particular priority/necessity but I'm open to any suggestions, or better, I don't know what to expect doing this jump
Large/wide soundstage is something that I would like to hear.
Typical use: mainly rock/punk but I also listen a lot of other different genres like classical music.
Desktop use at the moment.

I have already some FLAC albums but in general Spotify on PC is the main source.
For now my cans are the ones listed in the first post.

Thanks again!

I would say that our ZEN range, and especially its Signature versions stacked (DAC + CAN) and used as balanced, isn't too far off from our NEO iDSD. So to pick between them I'd look at utilities and connections they provide, see what I need the most and move from there.

If you want to start small, I'd get ZEN DAC and see how I like it. If it blows you away, then I'd add ZEN CAN and balanced cables. But if you want to roll with just one box that does everything and can afford it, then NEO iDSD seems like a product worth considering.

Good luck and I'm here to help you out

 

[someguyontheinternet]

Your headphones seem to be more on the lower power demand side so you probably don't need a dedicated amp to drive them.
To give a bit of info from my experiences:
Meze 99 Classics at 32Ohm impedance doesn't even reach the 12 o'clock position (more around 9 o'clock) on my modi/magni stack at loud listening volume on low gain. Neither does my Sennheiser HD660s at 150Ohm (still low gain, but is not far from 12 o'clock).
A Zen Can connected to the Modi on the other hand has so much power that I don't even reach the 9 o'clock position on both of those headphones.

If you don't plan to get headphones that need a lot of power, I would advise against getting a dedicated amp. You would just be spending money on something you don't use to it's potential. The safest bet is probably the Zen DAC since you get a lot of features and a balanced headphone out option for a good price. It should also provide enough power to drive the headphones you already have. You can still upgrade with a Zen CAN (Signature or not) to drive high impedance headphones when you decide to get some.
The Modi/Magni and Modius/Magnius stack is also nice, if you already know you will stick to single ended/balanced only. The availability in Europe is worse than iFi though and you need to handle/pay import tax and higher shipping cost.

 

[qwes]

Well, I can only say a warm thank you to @iFi audio and @someguyontheinternet for this useful help!
I was thinking about to start with only the DAC and then, in case, to buy the CAN later.
No plans for "hard to drive" cans at the moment.

Also, as a decent balanced cable cost a bit than the usual ones, the bundle for the Signature offer also 2 iPower X so I'm still very intrigued about that (and also for the blue color )
So, I will think a couple of days more and then I will decide because, at the moment, on Amazon the Zen DAC isn't available (there's one but it's from a 3rd seller).

About Schiit I found that they also have an e-shop for Europe and I already looked about the combo Modius/Magnius and Modius/Asgard 3 (only amp), or a mix with Zen DAC and Asgard 3 but the availability is 0

Anyway, I really appreciated your suggestions guys!
Again thank you and have a nice weekend

 

[iFi audio]

Well, I can only say a warm thank you to @iFi audio and @someguyontheinternet for this useful help!
I was thinking about to start with only the DAC and then, in case, to buy the CAN later.

My pleasure. Also, if you don't intend to use demanding cans, ZEN DAc would do just fine

Anyway, I really appreciated your suggestions guys!
Again thank you and have a nice weekend

Sure thing, have a nice weekend as well

 

[qwes]

Hello there!
In the end I choose to buy the Zen Signature bundle and I will receive it today afternoon
I'm very curious to try them, spearated and togheter, and to hear the possible differences.

Thank you again for the suggestions

 

[iFi audio]

Hello there!
In the end I choose to buy the Zen Signature bundle and I will receive it today afternoon
I'm very curious to try them, spearated and togheter, and to hear the possible differences.

Thank you again for the suggestions

Sure thing! Let us all know how does it work for you and enjoy

 

[qwes]

Annnnd here we are!

I've already tried it and made some comparison with my actual sound card and, I can only say, WOW

Ok, I had some expectation but I didn't thought that the difference was so big.
I will put my opinion on his dedicated thread.
Very well done @iFi audio and thanks!

 

[buke9]

Annnnd here we are!


I've already tried it and made some comparison with my actual sound card and, I can only say, WOW

Ok, I had some expectation but I didn't thought that the difference was so big.
I will put my opinion on his dedicated thread.
Very well done @iFi audio and thanks!

The Zen Can Signature 6XX I have is just fantastic with the 6XX’s and also with my old AKG K240 Monitor 600 ohm plenty of power and with most of my planars as well like the Abyss Diana V2’s runs them nicely and more power than I can stand without distortion.

 

[iFi audio]

I've already tried it and made some comparison with my actual sound card and, I can only say, WOW

Ok, I had some expectation but I didn't thought that the difference was so big.
I will put my opinion on his dedicated thread.
Very well done @iFi audio and thanks!

Our pleasure, please enjoy the heck out of it on our behalf