[evilgreen5]

Hi HeadFi'ers!
 
I have been lurking on Head-Fi for a few years now, browsing various reviews, recommendations and help from the likes of amazing folks like ljokerl. While I mostly bought cheap, my first pair of "real" headphones were the HD 595's about three years back. Today is my first official day on the site, and I must be honest, I have a plea for help. 
 
I just got back from the audiologist three days ago for some impressions for my first pair of customs and have ordered the Westone ES60s (yes, I have been saving my pocket change for a while now). While I am extremely excited to receive them, I should inform you all that though I am fairly well versed in the headphone choices that are available to me, I know little to nothing about DACS, amps, etc. 
 
Long story short, for listening to music from my mac or iPhone at work, what kind of setup should I employ in the under 300 dollar range for maximum enjoyment of my ES60s? As a dev, sitting at my desk all day, it doesn't matter if the setup is mobile or not!
 
Thanks so much guys. You rock!
-Matt

 

[evilgreen5]

Any thoughts?

 

[cel4145]

Why don't you get a FiiO X3, FiiO X5, or iBasso DX50? Very good DAPs.

Or for a portable amp/dac, Leckerton UHA-6S.MKII. However, new iPhones will require a lightning adapter to use the DAC.

 

[evilgreen5]

Thanks for the reply! Everything you have recommended seem to be very good choices from the quick research I just conducted. Would you sway me to go the DAP or DAC/amp way? And depending on your answer, why you would suggest it? 

 

[lin0003]

I would recommend you go for a DX90 or a used one if your budget is limited. 

 

[evilgreen5]

Thanks for the suggestion! Can a DAP like the DX90 be used as a DAC for my laptop as well?

 

[lin0003]

Yes,it can.

 

[cel4145]

The DX90 certainly be nice if that fits your budget. If you ever go for some full, over ear mid-fi phones, it should do a good job of driving most of them

 

[evilgreen5]

Great to hear! Could you also help me discern the difference between the DX50 and DX90? I understand the DX90 is "better" and higher-end, but how so?

 

[cel4145]

Better headphone amp; better DAC.

 

[evilgreen5]

Cool, thanks very much for the advice, guys! I will do some price hunting on the DXs and see what I can find 

 
 
I don't know how helpful it would be, but I could also post some first impressions of the ES60s when I get them eventually.

 

[JoeDoe]

The Fiio X5 is another DAP that performs excellent that will be a little cheaper than the DX90 and still offer the same features along with additional storage space.

 

[evilgreen5]

Thanks! I'll take a look at that one as well!

 

[evilgreen5]

So, basically, I'm trying to decide between the X5 and the DX90. I read an article saying that the DX90 could not be used as a DAC with macs (which would be an issue for me!). Is this true? And if so, can the X5 be used with a mac?

 

[JoeDoe]

Both can be used as a USB DAC.
 
Most notable differences:
 
X5:
Dual SD Card slots (up to 256 gb)
Click Wheel
Blacker background in the sound
 
DX90:
Touch Screen
More air in its sound