Fubar II and Cute Beyond or EMU 0404?

[Mark_420]

Hey everyone, I am looking at picking up a Amp/DAC solution for my computer as it is my main source for audio. I have narrowed it down to either the Fubar II and Cute Beyond or the EMU 0404. Now I am wondering if the EMU would be good enough to power a pair of DT990's with its built in amp? Also would the Fubar/Cute be worth the approximately $150 Canadian more than the EMU?

 

[Mojo777]

If you are going to use the EMU as an amp I'd opt for the Fubar option. While I love the EMU's DAC I think its head amp output is lacking when driving full-size cans. A lot of people like the Fubar DAC so I think its worth the extra money.

 

[Mark_420]

Right now I am leaning towards the Fubar/Cute for #1 the better amp as opposed to the EMU, and #2 how nice it looks!

Does the EMU have a better DAC than the Fubar II though?

 

[souperman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_420 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Right now I am leaning towards the Fubar/Cute for #1 the better amp as opposed to the EMU, and #2 how nice it looks! Does the EMU have a better DAC than the Fubar II though?

well if you like the looks of the cute beyond and fubar II get them! through all the research i've been doing, people are happy with the fubar, but not a lot of people are happy with the cute beyond.

 

[dropkickduffy]

I don't know about the EMU, but I have the Beyond/Fubar combination and I really like it. Plus, you can exchange the Op Amps to change the sound to match better with your headphones.

I also really enjoy the form factor and the style, although some people prefer a more industrial aluminum look to their amps and are willing to pay a lot more for that.

So far I really like the 580/Firestone product combo.

 

[mADmAN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by souperman /img/forum/go_quote.gif well if you like the looks of the cute beyond and fubar II get them! through all the research i've been doing, people are happy with the fubar, but not a lot of people are happy with the cute beyond.

thats odd... the only thing ive seen people complain about the beyond is the heat it produces...even then alot of them say its negligible.....

can check out sgheadphones.net for more views on the beyond..

 

[dropkickduffy]

That's odd. My Cute Beyond II sounds very nice, especially after a quick op amp exchange for better synergy with my senns. As far as I've read (and I did quite a bit of research before purchasing these units) most people are satisfied with the Beyond, given, of course, the low price point. Although it's no GS-1 or even CanAmp, at $170 its pretty damn good sound at a very reasonable price.

As far as heat issues are concerned, my Beyond is only slightly (and I mean slightly) warm to the touch, and that is with being on for 12 hours straight for some burn-in. Inside the unit itself is a decently sized heatsink that dissipates the heat very effectively.

Again, this amp and dac combo is great for its pricepoint and I'm very satisfied with my purchase, so much so that I ordered two suppliers to see what kind of improvement a dedicated psu can make.

 

[redrich2000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_420 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Right now I am leaning towards the Fubar/Cute for #1 the better amp as opposed to the EMU, and #2 how nice it looks! Does the EMU have a better DAC than the Fubar II though?

The EMU 0404 has a 24 bit DAC compared to the Fubar II's 16-bit DAC, so it would be superior. A fairer comparison would be the Firestone Spitfire DAC. It is 24-bit like the EMU and every bit as spunky as the Fubar. Only drawback is it's double the price.

The spitfire also doesn't have a USB in, so you'd have to spring for a good digital cable as well.

 

[Mark_420]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrich2000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The EMU 0404 has a 24 bit DAC compared to the Fubar II's 16-bit DAC, so it would be superior. A fairer comparison would be the Firestone Spitfire DAC. It is 24-bit like the EMU and every bit as spunky as the Fubar. Only drawback is it's double the price. The spitfire also doesn't have a USB in, so you'd have to spring for a good digital cable as well.

well this definitely throws a loop into my plans!

Either a better amp and worse DAC or worse amp and better DAC. I was looking into the spitfire, but unfortunately i think this is out of my price range.

 

[redrich2000]

I reckon unless you are really really into audiophile accuracy go with the firestone stuff. I reckon the amp improvement would be more noticable than the DAC improvement to average ears.

DIY Kits who sell the Zhaolu have this 24-bit USB DAC but there's not much info about here on head-fi and it won't match the Cute Beyond aesthetically!

 

[Mojo777]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_420 /img/forum/go_quote.gif well this definitely throws a loop into my plans! Either a better amp and worse DAC or worse amp and better DAC. I was looking into the spitfire, but unfortunately i think this is out of my price range.

Why not get the EMU and the Cute or Go-Vibe6. That would be a sweet sounding combo.

 

[Mark_420]

would the EMU and govibe 6 work well together? I was thinking of getting a govibe6 kind of soon, then a few months later EMU when money rolls in, and eventually DT990's

 

[dropkickduffy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrich2000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The EMU 0404 has a 24 bit DAC compared to the Fubar II's 16-bit DAC, so it would be superior. A fairer comparison would be the Firestone Spitfire DAC. It is 24-bit like the EMU and every bit as spunky as the Fubar. Only drawback is it's double the price. The spitfire also doesn't have a USB in, so you'd have to spring for a good digital cable as well.

Well, seeing that USB is 16-bit by nature, I think the 24 vs. 16 is a bit misleading. There are many arguments between which is better, USB vs. the other digital types. Many argue the superiority of one over the other. It just depends on what you're looking for.

 

[Ahriman4891]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropkickduffy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, seeing that USB is 16-bit by nature, I think the 24 vs. 16 is a bit misleading. There are many arguments between which is better, USB vs. the other digital types. Many argue the superiority of one over the other. It just depends on what you're looking for.

USB is not "16-bit by nature". A usb channel has 16 "pipes" in each direction, which has nothing to do with "bitness". The actual cable only has 4 wires besides the shield: 5Volt, Ground, Data+, Data- (yep, USB is balanced

) so technically it transmits 1 bit at a time. The argument against USB for sound is due to data being sent in packets versus continuously, not due to insufficient bitness (channel width). Also, some motherboards' USB implementation is substandard.

A 24-bit DAC will only benefit you if you rip a digital signal from a DVD-A. The real point here is that E-MUs DAC is newer and much more advanced (e.g. it almost completely eliminates ultrasonic parasite noise, besides having really good THD, S/N, DR, 192KHz input).

 

[dropkickduffy]

Well, "16 bit by nature" was a bit of a generalization. However, 16/48 is the current standard for most USB dacs.

I was only aware of one Usb dac that supported 24/96 which is the Benchmark Dac-1 Advanced USB Technology.

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/comput...usb_audio.html

Bear in mind that unit also runs $1200+.

That said, it just depends if you're looking for USB or USB and digital. I'm quite satisfied with my Fubar, but to each their own.