Ksweene5
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2015
- Posts
- 181
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- 10
I am currently looking into upgrading my listening experience with a dac/amp combo - or just an amp. I listen to all styles of rock music, jazz, and some country. My current cans are - Fidelio X1s (home use), AT-M50x's (at work) and UE6000s (travel).
A lot of the advice I have read say that the DAC portion is least important - with headphones and then amp being of higher import. I would like the amp or amp/dac to have portability. I would like to stay around or preferably below $200 , but don't mind spending more to get it right the first time. Some options I had looked at are - FiiO e12, JDS C5, Oppo HA-2. Of those I have only heard the Oppo and I loved it (paired with m50xs). I also got to use a Ray Samuels P-51 and enjoyed it though it seemed sterile. I listen to a lot of streaming music, but also have a good collection of hi-res files.
So, my questions are -
1) Do I "need" a DAC in the setup? Or, would I be better off getting the best possible amp for the money?
2) What recommendations does the community have for the amp/dac combo, or just an amp?
I have no problems buying used if there is some value to be had there. So, if a model worth seeking out is not in production please throw that idea out there. I am not overly concerned with pairing my existing headphones as an amp will probably result in me getting a higher impedance pair soon. Thanks In advance!
A lot of the advice I have read say that the DAC portion is least important - with headphones and then amp being of higher import. I would like the amp or amp/dac to have portability. I would like to stay around or preferably below $200 , but don't mind spending more to get it right the first time. Some options I had looked at are - FiiO e12, JDS C5, Oppo HA-2. Of those I have only heard the Oppo and I loved it (paired with m50xs). I also got to use a Ray Samuels P-51 and enjoyed it though it seemed sterile. I listen to a lot of streaming music, but also have a good collection of hi-res files.
So, my questions are -
1) Do I "need" a DAC in the setup? Or, would I be better off getting the best possible amp for the money?
2) What recommendations does the community have for the amp/dac combo, or just an amp?
I have no problems buying used if there is some value to be had there. So, if a model worth seeking out is not in production please throw that idea out there. I am not overly concerned with pairing my existing headphones as an amp will probably result in me getting a higher impedance pair soon. Thanks In advance!
