alxwang
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2008
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I know it is an unfair compare but I really interested to know. The 131 cost 2 times as the Zero. So any comment?
Originally Posted by StanleyB1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif There is nothing wrong with adding a headphone stage in a DAC. The basic fundamentals are there already that would cut into the otherwise high price of a standalone headphone amp. I am thinking about the power supply, case, short track length to the HP circuitry. Cost wise it would also be next to nothing to add. If we break down the manufacturing cost of the different sections that constitutes a good to decent DAC, then the HP section would be less than U$20. Compare that to the likely U$50 to U$100 if you release that same HP amp PCB as a stand alone entity. I agree that the analogue stage design is more important than the DAC chip used, which is in direct conflict with what the non-designers who read too many forums would let confused potential buyers believe. The best analogue output configuration is in my opinion a class A stage that doesn't require any bias considerations. Quite a few couch potato designers recommend discrete outputs as the ultimate source of audiophile satisfaction, but they fall short in mentioning what type of discrete output design would offer the solution. Real life testing, including any blind A-B ones, have not yet confirmed that discrete is better than opamp. |
Originally Posted by 1UP /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maniac, I tried to browse the keces taiwan site - it seems you have many, many other products in your DIY range. Are there any plans to being those to a wider market or are you just planning to stick with the 131 and 151? |
Originally Posted by davidastoria /img/forum/go_quote.gif i'm really interested in this topic too as I'm trying to decide between the two for a DAC. i've been trying to follow the ZERO thread, and it seems like it has a lot going for it after a couple of mods (OPA627, HDAM) i'm planning to connect this to the Little Dot MK V and Sennheisers HD650, so the amp in the ZERO doesn't really matter (or am I mistaken?). are there any vouches for one or the other? thanks in advance |
LOL...me too! Exactly the same office setup, but home is everything else in the sig below...I like that the Zero can achieve really good sound for an "all in one" unit of DAC and headphone amp, and the Denons are easy to drive and play nice with a lot of different components. |