[shiggydog]

It seems that integrated amps and dacs have advanced so much that external dacs and amps just aren't needed nor worth it.
Is this true?

 

[xiangyu1129]

You only need an iPod for listening music.
But for hifi, we have to pay a lot for external dac,amp. Actually, they are developing much slower than you expect.

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express

 

[eucariote]

Depending on the headphone, amps can make a big difference in sound (e.g. planar magnetic headphones).  Others are very sensitive and are only subtly improved by an amp (e.g. most Grados), and sometimes people enjoy the coloration added by some amps (e.g. different tube + amp combinations).  Some iems are so sensitive that you can damage them with a powerful amp and should do without.  Dacs generally make very subtle differences in sound, but with very high quality recordings and good headphones you can hear a difference.  So skipping the amp and dac in some headphones can get you 98%-99% of the way to their full potential, which is the most rational option for the overwhelming majority of people.  But audiophiles are obsessives and will pay several more times the price of the original headphone to reach 100% of their potential.

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

It seems that integrated amps and dacs have advanced so much that external dacs and amps just aren't needed nor worth it.
Is this true?

 
False.
 
There would be zero market for this equipment if this were true. Yet there is a massive, blooming, evolving market.
 
It comes down to what you're looking for. Just audio. Or hi-fi.
 
Very best,