[stevencg]

Hello, i have a Emmeline SR-71A with Grado RS-1. All my music is ether web streams (256K) or mp3s. I was told that I should get a DAC amp. How is a DAC amp (ex. benchmark or The Predator) different from the SR-71A. Should i sell the sr-71 for a DAC, do i need to get BOTH?

 

[iriverdude]

I'd also consider moving to lossless. From a laptop soundcard, I'd recommend you have a DAC and a headphone amplifier. So I'd put a DAC between the Mac & SR-71. Or perhaps sell the SR-71 for a combination DAC/headphone amp, if headphone amp stage is better than the SR-71.

 

[stevencg]

I was thinking about the predator. Do you think it makes a big difference when compared to the SR-71A?

 

[krmathis]

A DAC/amp differ from the SR-71A in that it has a built in DAC (with the headphone amplifier), while the SR-71A is a headphone amplifier only.
If you should sell the SR-71A and require a DAC/amp, or just buy a DAC, is a matter of personal taste. I would probably go for the first one..

 

[iriverdude]

yeah saves another box and another set of cables. I'd look into something like the Ibasso D10 or similar.

 

[qusp]

D10 = or > Predator IMO

for half the money

 

[shredder]

I'm using a D10 on my MacBook Pro and it is a sweet deal. Loads nicer than the laptop. The Predator is also a really sweet amp. Can't go wrong either way, and both will be an improvement.

 

[blessingx]

Another Mac user here. You certainly have a bunch of options depending on your budget and expected need for power for your potential phones. The Predator, iBasso D2, Headamp Pico are options, but so is the Apogee Duet if you have Firewire.

 

[mteorman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevencg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello, i have a Emmeline SR-71A with Grado RS-1. All my music is ether web streams (256K) or mp3s. I was told that I should get a DAC amp. How is a DAC amp (ex. benchmark or The Predator) different from the SR-71A. Should i sell the sr-71 for a DAC, do i need to get BOTH?

Think about whether you want a portable DAC or not (e.g., Benchmark is not portable, Predator is). The nice thing about the Predator is that you can take it with you and use it with your iPod (as a portable amp... it is a combo DAC/amp after all).

There are also some DACs that do not have integrated headphone amps... in that case, you will need a separate amp.

As an owner of a Predator and an RS-1, I can say that I really enjoy the sound, either out of my computer (with the Predator as a DAC and amp) or even as an amp to a non-portable source (Thorens TD-165 turntable).

You should definitely sell the SR-71 to fund a DAC purchase, unless you are getting a non-portable DAC and still want a portable amp.

 

[jonathanjong]

MacBook, chiming in!

I switch between 2Move and D10, with no clear preference between them. I might prefer D10 a little more, but I'll reach for 2Move if I want a darker sound. Even the NuForce Mobile makes a difference, really, but I've relegated that to my iPhone.