[problematiic]

It must be usable through USB. Preferably not too big so I can switch it between my laptops. It must drive AKG K550s well, and preferably have some upgradeability in it.

Currently I am considering the:
1. SMSL Fort - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fortress-Computer-Decoder-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B009ANWACY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1400251704&sr=1-1&keywords=SMSL+fort
2. Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 USB Sound Card - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FJMQ4C2/ref=gno_cart_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
3. Asus Xonar U3 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Xonaru3-Mobile-USB-Soundcard/dp/B004ZI5E1S/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1400251862&sr=1-1&keywords=xonar+u3u3
4. Muse DA20 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/PCM2706-Decoder-Headphone-Amplifier-Adaptor/dp/B008YRHTLO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400256848&sr=8-1&keywords=muse+da20

 

[KT66]

Would an old style FIIO E7 do the job?
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Portable-Headphone-DAC-Amplifier-black/dp/B003N0XDT4

 

[problematiic]

It's out of my budget sadly.

 

[cel4145]

This is generally considered one of the best for its price: http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=123

 

[problematiic]

Looks good. How powerful is the amplifier? (General impedance. I know sensitivity matters too.)

 

[cel4145]

Looks good. How powerful is the amplifier? (General impedance. I know sensitivity matters too.)

Sorry. I don't know. I haven't tried it. But the K550s are fairly easy to drive.

Lots of reviews of it:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/hifimediy-sabre-usb-dac

 

[problematiic]

http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=87

I think I'll go for this slightly more expensive version because it supposedly has better performance, it looks a lot more durable, and I would love having the volume dial. Also, for indie rock music, do you think the Sennheiser HD558s or the AKG K550s are better? Cheers!

 

[cel4145]

Haven't heard the 558s, but I like the K550s.

One consideration is that the 558s are open headphones--no isolation from your environment and they will leak sound, if that is a concern.

 

[orthogonous]

Just wondeing if you ended up with the SMSL Fort and what you think of it? I'm in the same boat as you looking for a cheap desktop solution

 

[problematiic]

Hi, I ended up getting the HiFimeDIY Sabre DAC with Brainwavz HM5. I'm very impressed.