Does EB01 require an amp?

[userer]

Hi,

I have been loking for a device to boost my audio as I have only an integrated audio and headphones at the moment.

I came across Silverstone's Ensemble EB01 which looks really promising according to the reviews. But. The EB01's site has a big image which displays the connections and states pretty clearly with red text:

Quote:

EB01 is not designed for direct connection with headphones or speakers without amplifier. Performance and sound quality is not guaranteed if this configuration is utilized.

So, does anyone have EB01? Does it really require and amplifier? If so, how much would one (good enough for the EB01) cost?

 

[Uncle Erik]

Yes, you need an amp.

I don't have the EB01, but I bought one for my brother-in-law for his birthday last June. It is a very nice little DAC.

What the EB01 does is turn a digital signal (passing from your computer through the USB port) into an analog one. It does not amplify the signal. If you plug headphones into it, you'll get a very, very weak sound or maybe no sound at all, depending on how sensitive your headphones are.

Now, an amp. Well, what are you looking for? We've got a whole forum on amps here. There are a lot out there and for a good recommendation, we'll need to know:

1. The music you prefer
2. Whether you want a portable or desktop model
3. Tube or solid state
4. How much you want to spend
5. If you'd be interested in building one

I'd recommend heading over to the amp forum and posting what you'd like there. If you're not sure about tubes or solid state, or anything else, just ask.

 

[userer]

Uh, sounds like this is going to get expensive. But let's see. If it looks too expensive, I can always go for a more traditional USB-audio card then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik 1. The music you prefer

I listen to rock as well as instrumental (/classical) music. Are there some all-around models?
Quote:

2. Whether you want a portable or desktop model

Doesn't matter. Either one should work for me.
Quote:

3. Tube or solid state

I don't know the difference.
Quote:

4. How much you want to spend

As little as possible. I thought this EB01 would be a cheap way to improve my audio

Quote:

5. If you'd be interested in building one

Nope.

Quote:

I'd recommend heading over to the amp forum and posting what you'd like there.

I guess I could go and browse that section of the forum.

 

[facelvega]

I strongly doubt that the line signal would be so weak as not to drive headphones to an audible level, as Uncle Erik rather exaggeratedly describes, but take his warning seriously in that it's not meant for headphones, has no volume control, and will not suffice for your purposes.

If you really want to stay on the cheap side, get one of those cheap USB audio controllers, a TBAAM or one of the generic ones for as little as $8. Assuming you're talking USB because you're on a laptop, it's bound to be an improvement over your stock sound card-- you could say halfway between stock and audiophile. These little cards are the KSC-75 of computer audio.

On a higher but still perhaps affordable range, there are a few other options. For sheer portability, shell out for an echo indigo. But since you say portability isn't such a big issue, then you might go for an EB-01 with a decent portable amp like a Go-Vibe V5, Xenos OHA-REP, or Little Dot Micro+, and keep your total cost down to around $150. A lot more than the $10 for a USB card, but a lot better sound as well. The next step up from that would be something like a Zhaolu, which has an integrated headphone amp and only costs a little more, but is as big as a laptop and less flexible than the separates for possible portable use or reuse in other rigs.

 

[userer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by facelvega If you really want to stay on the cheap side, get one of those cheap USB audio controllers, a TBAAM or one of the generic ones for as little as $8.

First question: What is a TBAAM? Google doesn't seem to be able to tell me anything

Quote:

you might go for an EB-01 with a decent portable amp like a Go-Vibe V5, Xenos OHA-REP, or Little Dot Micro+, and keep your total cost down to around $150.

That wouldn't be too bad. My budget is at most 200 euros. But a solution for 100-150 euros won't hurt.

Those amps do seem like a very good option for me, but I tried to look for where to buy those and ebay seemed like the only place. Do they sell those amps in regular shops? In EU preferably so I wouldn't have to worry so much about customs or the different voltages.

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by userer First question: What is a TBAAM? Google doesn't seem to be able to tell me anything

Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro. For the cheaper one, see this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by userer Those amps do seem like a very good option for me, but I tried to look for where to buy those and ebay seemed like the only place. Do they sell those amps in regular shops? In EU preferably so I wouldn't have to worry so much about customs or the different voltages.

You have to order these amps from their producers. Little dot has an ebay store. Go-Vibe is here. Xenos is here.

 

[happyangryhappy]

I had the Silverstone for a while and you can use it without an amp. It actually comes with a rca to mini adapter that you can plug headphones into for this very purpose and then use windows kmixer to adjust the sound level. That said however, the dac itself compared to other dacs/soundcards has a rather low gain, and for headphone use even with the easy to drive HD555's, which I also had back then - damn upgradeitis - sounded pretty thin. So even though it does work the sound is not by any means outstanding and perhaps a different sound card would be better. On the other hand though, I think the sound of the EB01 is pretty darn good for it's price range and paired with a nice pair of low impedance headphones like your HD555's and a modest amp like the several posted above you could have a really nice setup for still well within your budget.

 

[mrarroyo]

I had the Silverstone EB01 and it is a very solid performe at a very good price. However to get the most out of it you should get an amplifier, there are very nice ones out there from $60 to $200 which would pair very nicely with it. Good luck.

 

[Solitary1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I had the Silverstone EB01 and it is a very solid performe at a very good price. However to get the most out of it you should get an amplifier, there are very nice ones out there from $60 to $200 which would pair very nicely with it. Good luck.

Seconded. I still own one, it's connected to my Mac and the output goes to my X-Can v3. Much better out there (and I'm in the market), but $80 or so well spent.

 

[luddite]

Hi im looking to upgrade my audio and was windering whihc setup would produce the best sound. I mostly listen to prog rock/classic rock/etc.

FLAC->EBO1-> Little Dot 2-> Headphones
FLAC->PCI soundcard(not sure which one)-> Headphones

Just looking for a budget setup to improve my audio. Sorry about hijacking the thread but i didnt want to make a seperate one

 

[Solitary1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luddite Hi im looking to upgrade my audio and was windering whihc setup would produce the best sound. I mostly listen to prog rock/classic rock/etc. FLAC->EBO1-> Little Dot 2-> Headphones FLAC->PCI soundcard(not sure which one)-> Headphones Just looking for a budget setup to improve my audio. Sorry about hijacking the thread but i didnt want to make a seperate one

In my opinion, the first option would be better for you. Gives you more upgrade options.