[Theta49]

Hi

I only have a laptop, so I will be needing a good DAC and an amp to drive a pair of HD650
(well, haven't decided yet, the K701 is tempting me as well)

The Corda Cantate.2 from Beier Audio seems nice and then I will get both DAC and amp in one unit
it costs 410€

EDIT:
Minutes after i posted this I stumble across the X-CAN v8p that is about the same price... How do they compare?
it costs 450€


I have looked at DACmagic wich seems really nice as well, although then I would need a separate amp... and then it becomes more expensive...
not to mention the problem of finding out which amp I should get


So, my questions is:
Is there some DAC and amp combination that is better than the Cantate for almost the same price, or that is slightly more expensive but way better...

And also, is there some (bad) things I ought to know about the Cantate?
(well, there can't be.. can it

)



I will use usb since, my laptop lacks digital output (not certain though, it ought to have it actually)
I only got CD quality wav, so I guess that I won't be needing any higher sampling rates nor resolution then 44.1kHz/16bit... or?

All help is appreciated and I wish you all well

 

[SillyHoney]

I'm interesting on this as well. Can this amp drive high impedance phones?

 

[Hybrys]

What kind of laptop do you have? Model and all.

Plus, I've heard big things of the X-CAN, but haven't heard of the Cantate.2...