[Reso]

Hi everybody, 
 
 
I am looking for a DAC/Amp that I can use with different audio sources such as my desktop PC, gaming consoles & TV/speakers. Here are my requirements:
 
-24bit/96kHz USB input. 
-Optical input.
-RCA ports. 
-Coaxial input is a plus.
-Capable of driving any headphone. 
-Budget is $400-$500. I could spend more, but I am saving most of my budget for a planar magnetic set of headphones. 
 
Here is what I found: 
 
-Sound Blaster X7: it meets and even exceeds my requirements on paper. At $400, there is probably nothing else that has so much to offer. However, it is a new product and it is hard to find reviews of it. Has anybody tried it? 
 
-Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 & D1 Plus combo: affordable and meets my requirements, but I am wondering if the D1 Plus alone is cable of properly driving Audeze LCD-2 or Hifiman HE-560, which are supposed to be kind of easy to drive. Any idea? 
 
Is there anything else that you would recommend? 
 
Thanks. 

 

[seeker moc]

The Fiio E17 would also work for you, and is well under your budget at $140. It has optical and coxial SPDIF, USB, and 3.5mm minijack inputs, and is battery-powered portable so you could use it with your phone as well. It's rated to for 16 - 300 ohms phones. It does 24-bit/192kHz over SPDIF and 24/96 over USB.

 

[Reso]

  The Fiio E17 would also work for you, and is well under your budget at $140. It has optical and coxial SPDIF, USB, and 3.5mm minijack inputs, and is battery-powered portable so you could use it with your phone as well. It's rated to for 16 - 300 ohms phones. It does 24-bit/192kHz over SPDIF and 24/96 over USB.

Sorry, I made a mistake in my first post by including mobile phones. I will edit it. Actually, I need a DAC/Amp to use at home.
 
On the other hand, thanks, I might grab a portable Amp or DAC/Amp later as I am planning to get a good pair of IEMs for office. I will most likely get a FiiO E17 or a JDS C5.