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HD600 amp/dac upgrade
Dec 19, 2021 at 3:06 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 23
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eevegm

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Hello everyone, I wanted to ask you, what you think of my rig and what you would upgrade from it. Also, can you tell me if I am ruining everything with a component from my rig?

I have 300$ to spend in upgrades. Here‘s my current setup:
  • Sennheiser HD600
  • Fiio Q3 (as a dac, connected via usb)
  • Topping D3 (as an amp)
  • Audioquest tower Cinch to 3.5mm cable (to connect the dac to the amp)
I would like to get something that will give me a completely new experience. Note that I do not like warmer sound and prefer detail and errors over sounding pretty (I already tried my HD600 on a tube amp and didn‘t really like the distortion and warmth). I generally hate loud&strong bass so please do not recommend stuff that makes the bass way louder or removes the highs and midrange

Also, I can get my budget max 350$. Not more. I am located in Switzerland.
 
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Dec 19, 2021 at 10:09 AM Post #3 of 23
Dec 19, 2021 at 10:20 AM Post #4 of 23
pbui44 said:
Based on this review:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/aune-x1s-gt-review-dac-amp.27675/

Get this dac/amp and this balanced cable to get the most power from the amp section:

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/dac-...ier-balanced-32bit-768khz-dsd512-p-15641.html

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Symmetrical-Compatible-Sennheiser-Massdrop-Headphones/dp/B07MJD9L8M/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=hd600+4,4+mm&qid=1639926333&sr=8-3
Click to expand...
Is there any amp alternative you would recommend that would give me more power/same power without going balanced? I have already looked at that cable and apparently it has a lot of microphonics and better cables cost at least 100$. Also, I would like to have the dac and amp separated
 
Dec 19, 2021 at 12:35 PM Post #5 of 23
eevegm said:
Is there any amp alternative you would recommend that would give me more power/same power without going balanced? I have already looked at that cable and apparently it has a lot of microphonics and better cables cost at least 100$. Also, I would like to have the dac and amp separated
Click to expand...

Then get this amp, dac, and cables:

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/sede...hone-amplifier-tpa6120-muses8920-p-14573.html

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/dac-...-xu208-32bit-384khz-dsd256-black-p-15509.html

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Cable-Up..._1_4?keywords=hd600+xlr&qid=1639934681&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.de/Pronomic-micr...9367f&pd_rd_wg=HIpD5&pd_rd_i=B008L1VR1Q&psc=1
 
Dec 19, 2021 at 1:27 PM Post #7 of 23
Dec 19, 2021 at 3:18 PM Post #10 of 23
eevegm said:
Yes. The D3 dac makes my HD600 sound way too bright. The Q3 Dac is miles better than the D3 Dac
Click to expand...
I have the HD600 an it sounds excellent on the very powerful Zen-Can Class-A amp.
You can connect the Q3 4.4mm Balanced to the 4.4mm input on the Zen-Can.
Get them from Amazon Germany and if you don't like, you can always return in 30 days.
►https://Amazon.de/gp/product/B08DJ4NJH5
►https://Amazon.de/gp/product/B07ZNZDHMJ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2QRHWMFZCIIVZ

Single Ended7.6V / 196 mW (@ 300 Ohm)
7.2V / 1600 mW (@ 32 Ohm)
Balanced15.1V / 385 mW (@ 600 Ohm)
11.0V / 1890 mW (@ 64 Ohm)
 
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Dec 19, 2021 at 3:53 PM Post #11 of 23
eevegm said:
Is there any amp alternative you would recommend that would give me more power/same power without going balanced? I have already looked at that cable and apparently it has a lot of microphonics and better cables cost at least 100$. Also, I would like to have the dac and amp separated
Click to expand...
SMSL SU-6 and SH-6, the whole bundle is well under $300. Though a bit short on the power section, 1.3W@32 ohms.
 
Dec 19, 2021 at 7:51 PM Post #12 of 23
eevegm said:
isn't this also balanced?
Also, this is way over my budget
Click to expand...

If you insist on staying unbalanced, then get these:

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/dac-...m-xmos-xu208-32bit-384khz-dsd256-p-15788.html

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/sede...one-amplifier-class-ab-1w-32-ohm-p-15761.html

Also, if you are keeping the FiiO Q3 and need to pair it with an IEM, then get this with your spare cash:

https://www.amazon.es/Moondrop-Rend...id=1639961402&sprefix=moondrop,aps,206&sr=8-1
 
Dec 21, 2021 at 7:06 AM Post #14 of 23
Dec 21, 2021 at 9:59 AM Post #15 of 23
eevegm said:
Yes. The D3 dac makes my HD600 sound way too bright. The Q3 Dac is miles better than the D3 Dac
Click to expand...

If you're concerned about microphonics on the inexpensive balanced cable, maybe try this fabric insulation kit.
►https://Amazon.de/dp/B088TNLKWC
►https://Amazon.de/dp/B07MJD9L8M

AGPTEK Cable conduit.jpg
 
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