Grado SR80 - What AMP/DAC with Optical input?

[Husky42]

First, i'm poor, very poor

I'm looking at amps/dac's because my onboard pc headphone out is, well to be blunt ****.

I'm currently using a logitech sound controller for my headphones as it has built in headphone amplification but again. It just sucks.

What I'm wanting to do is either use the onboard DAC to a amp that has an optical in and go entirely digital.

Or just get a DAC that bypasses the onboard DAC along with headphone amplification.

However, if i cannot afford anything out there i'm just wondering what people might be able to suggest.

I have toyed around with the idea of a cmoy amp since I know i can build one but that still leaves me using the onbaord VIA VT1708S chipset which is not bad but not great either. The front panel headphone outs on my PC have horrible noise in them and the audio out on the pc sounds good but has one major problem - It is far too quiet for me to get any enjoyment out of.

Anyways, would love to hear what people suggest.

PS - i just bought a CMOY amp off ebay to view the physical layout when i do build my own (i just want to try and build one) I'm still interested in finding an optical capable amp/dac though.

 

[Sennshead]

a real popular option around here is the ibasso d10 cobra. It has optical, coax, and usb inputs and a decent amp (with op amp rolling kit). They're not cheap, though. I've seen them used for as little as $200 to 280 or new from ibasso for well over 300.

 

[Husky42]

$275 from Ibasso isnt too bad, what are your thoughts on going optical from my PC?

I althoug have these 80's seem to be bit by some sort of headphone bug lately and may be picking up a set of AKG K 242's

I listen to a lot of classical and trancey type stuff that sounds great on my Grado's but for gaming and movie watching I'm thinking of getting the AKG's to go along with whatever AMP/DAC i purchase.

Wout the Ibasso be sufficient for both these cans?

Note: I also will be picking up a set of SR225's in December - Room mate has a pair and i just love them.