DAC Recommendations

[skippin07]

Hello everyone! I just got myself a pair of [size=small]Audio-Technica [/size][size=small]ATH-M50 based off recommendations from this site. They are definitely the best headphones I've ever owned. I can't consider myself an audiophile because frankly, I just don't have the money for it. However, these are really great sounding headphones and they deserve to be paired with a decent DAC. Previously I've settled on the Fiio E10 which I've been watching for a good price drop. I can't spend a lot of money on it, and I definitely don't want to spend more on the DAC then I did on the headphones ($125). Any suggestions? My headphones are meant to compliment my desktop that I use for games and music. Occasionally I might lay down a track or two, but mostly just my FLACs or high bit-rate MP3s. [/size]
 
[size=small]I've heard there were problems with early E10s. Will I have a problem if I buy new?[/size]
 
[size=small]Thanks so much for the help[/size]

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

Hello everyone! I just got myself a pair of [size=small]Audio-Technica [/size][size=small]ATH-M50 based off recommendations from this site. They are definitely the best headphones I've ever owned. I can't consider myself an audiophile because frankly, I just don't have the money for it. However, these are really great sounding headphones and they deserve to be paired with a decent DAC. Previously I've settled on the Fiio E10 which I've been watching for a good price drop. I can't spend a lot of money on it, and I definitely don't want to spend more on the DAC then I did on the headphones ($125). Any suggestions? My headphones are meant to compliment my desktop that I use for games and music. Occasionally I might lay down a track or two, but mostly just my FLACs or high bit-rate MP3s. [/size]
 
[size=small]I've heard there were problems with early E10s. Will I have a problem if I buy new?[/size]
 
[size=small]Thanks so much for the help[/size]

Buy an E10 from an authorized dealer and you won't have to worry about getting an early one.
 
You posted this in...kinda the wrong section as this section is the portable amp and portable DAC section lol. Portable amps and DAC combo's generally if not always offer less SQ for the price as you are paying for portability.
 
There are standalone DACs like the AK4396 (look on ebay) that kiteki and people at DIY audio love but those don't have an amp. You could just plug directly into the DAC's output and listen...but I'm not a fan of that. And have never tried it and don't know if it will be enough power. At that price for a desktop DAC and amp......there is really little else I can say as the iBasso's and others are portable and the Dzero was meant to compete against the E7 and other stuff.
 
Look on the head fi for sale section as well and ask if they have a newer variant or what not. I believe that 3 variants or updates were issued. One that fixed the delay and the next one fixed or updated with better sockets and other stuff.
 
I'm trying to remember other cheap good and well recommended headphone DAC's and amps at the $50-60 price range.....the Hifiman $40 DAC and amp .....from reviews doesn't stack up even close to the E10....hmm...nuforce doesn't have any at this price and has problems with noise and distortion with some of their amp's and DAC's.... .. honestly there aren't too many at the $60 price range.

 

[skippin07]

Yeah, definitely put this in the wrong section. Sorry about that. Thank you for the advice. So, buying a DAC and an amp would probably be hard to do for sub- $100? It seems like the E10 would be a good starter product for the money. I would be willing to go to the ~$100 range if it meant I was getting a good jump in sound. 
 
I'm also cool with a little DIY action as long as I'm not getting myself into a rabbit hole. Is there a good resource for someone looking to to do a solid DAC and pre-amp combo that doesn't have an excessive amount of jargon?

 

[bowei006]

Quote:

Yeah, definitely put this in the wrong section. Sorry about that. Thank you for the advice. So, buying a DAC and an amp would probably be hard to do for sub- $100? It seems like the E10 would be a good starter product for the money. I would be willing to go to the ~$100 range if it meant I was getting a good jump in sound. 
 
I'm also cool with a little DIY action as long as I'm not getting myself into a rabbit hole. Is there a good resource for someone looking to to do a solid DAC and pre-amp combo that doesn't have an excessive amount of jargon?

DAC's cost to performance dimish as you get higher but the current realm you are in has the highest percent of "gain" There aren't too many actual desktop DAC's and amp's at this range.
 
I did a light search and ..... I was in all the posts so that isn't much help