ImaginaryDog9886
New Head-Fier
I need some help with picking a new DAC/AMP for my audio setup. The headphones I use daily are the HD800S and the LCD-2; but I also have a collection of IEMs like the Xenns Top, Dunu SA6 Ultra, Letshuoer x HBB EJ07M, Raptgo Hook-X, and the Symphonium Meteors. I may expand in the future but I’m content with what I have for now (secretly eyeing the Meze Lirics lol).
My main use cases are pc gaming and music. I'm not really a competitive gamer, but I do love the immersion of a wide soundstage with accurate imaging. As far as music, I listen to all genres. When I listen to more modern rap or hip-hop I do enjoy a bit of added bass, but when I listen to older rock or classical music I like a more clean sound that doesn't feel muddy.
I used to have the iFi Zen Stack which I thought was pretty nice sounding but I wanted something a bit higher end with proper balanced output as I had lots of issues with it my 4.4mm output and found out the Zens are known for that I guess. I ended up going with a Topping D90SE/A90D stack, and to be honest I didn’t know what all the fuss was about. It sounded kind of flat to me and wasn’t all that exciting.
I sold those off and just bought the FiiO K9 Pro ESS from Amazon. Everything sounds pretty good on the FiiO but I have to say it doesn’t feel worth the price tag. I feel like I can get something a lot better for around that price or perhaps if I raise my budget a little more. I also don’t need a lot of the extra features like Bluetooth and whatnot.
Here’s essentially what I’m looking for:
My main use cases are pc gaming and music. I'm not really a competitive gamer, but I do love the immersion of a wide soundstage with accurate imaging. As far as music, I listen to all genres. When I listen to more modern rap or hip-hop I do enjoy a bit of added bass, but when I listen to older rock or classical music I like a more clean sound that doesn't feel muddy.
I used to have the iFi Zen Stack which I thought was pretty nice sounding but I wanted something a bit higher end with proper balanced output as I had lots of issues with it my 4.4mm output and found out the Zens are known for that I guess. I ended up going with a Topping D90SE/A90D stack, and to be honest I didn’t know what all the fuss was about. It sounded kind of flat to me and wasn’t all that exciting.
I sold those off and just bought the FiiO K9 Pro ESS from Amazon. Everything sounds pretty good on the FiiO but I have to say it doesn’t feel worth the price tag. I feel like I can get something a lot better for around that price or perhaps if I raise my budget a little more. I also don’t need a lot of the extra features like Bluetooth and whatnot.
Here’s essentially what I’m looking for:
- Good soundstage and imaging. I do play a lot of pc games, and so I would like to get something that has a fun and immersive soundstage with good imaging.
- Low noise floor. Since I use a lot of IEMs as well as fairly sensitive headphones, I would like as low a noise floor as I can get.
- I like some bass in my music and so I wouldn’t necessarily mind something with a warmer sound signature so long as it doesn’t hinder the soundstage and imaging performance.
- SE and Balanced outputs. Preferably a 6.35mm (1/4”), a 4.4mm and an XLR if possible. I can settle for just a 6.35 and one of the balanced types if I have to.
- RCA out for my desktop speakers. I'm just running Audioengine A2+ for speakers so nothing really too special, but I like the simplicity of being able to use one device for volume control as opposed to connecting the speakers via USB.
- I would prefer for the DAC/AMP combo to be from the same brand if possible so I can keep a simple-looking symmetrical aesthetic. In other words, I'd prefer not to mix-and-match say a Schiit DAC with a Burson AMP. It's just what I'd prefer in terms of aesthetic.
- Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC & Jotunheim 2 AMP
- I've seen a lot of people saying that the Jot2 isn't great for IEMs since the SE can be noisy. I'm wondering if adding an Asgard 3 in the chain would be good for the IEMs and then the Jot2 for my HD800S and LCD-2? I don't love the idea of needing 3 units, but I can figure something out if this is the endgame setup.
- Geshelli Labs JNOG 2 Socketed (w/Sparkos op-amp upgrade) & ERISH 2 (for balanced output) & Archel 3 (for SE output for IEMs, etc.)
- This seems like it would be a nice kit, but I know there's at least a 3+ month wait right now. Also, again I don't love the idea of having 3 units on my desk, but if it's that good then I'll figure something out.
- RME ADI-2 FS DAC & Monolith THX AAA 887 AMP
- I know these aren't the same brand, but I've seen a few people with this setup and they do look okay together aesthetically. I'm not too sure about the RME since most people say it's a bit complicated to use, and I've never dabbled with custom EQ before. I'm more of a plug-and-play listener, but if it's truly the best sound that hits all my points then I'm willing to learn.
- Burson Conductor 3X Performance DAC/AMP AIO
- I've seen some good things about this one. I don't know much about it other than a few people recommending it to me in other threads. I've tried looking at youtube reviews and walkthroughs of the device and it looks promising but I don't know what it's like soundstage-wise, gaming-wise, etc.
- Sennheiser HDV820
- This one is quite a bit outside my budget at the moment but I figured I'd throw it in the mix since I've seen a lot of great things about it, especially when paired with an HD800S. I'd be willing to save up for this if it's truly the best thing I can get for my needs.
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