thank you for relaying the Headfi review and Taobao information to me. yes regarding Topping L30 and E30, I was researching DAC amps a few years ago and didn't buy so those recommendations might be a bit old. at the time L30 was very good value, if perhaps performing a little too well therefore might sound too clean almost like Class D amplification instead of Class A which might be more suited to planar magnetic headphones.Considering the power draw, a budget stack like S.M.S.L. C200, or a Schiit Magni + Modi stack will do. I can't guarantee whether a dongle will provide optimal sound quality for a planar magnetic. This depends also upon the capabilities of the headphone, and whether they synergize well with your DAC/Amp. In head-fi review section, you can find people using Questyle M15 to power the Abyss AB-1266 phi TC, and SMSL C200 for powering a HE6Se, while leaving positive impressions.
I spent around 1300 Yuan or 178 usd to build my chain, not regarding the more expensive D300 DAC. I want to say a Topping E30 is enough, but the tonality might not be keeping up with this age. Heck, anything that provides 400mW is more than enough to guarantee the cleanliness of the sound. But yeah, you might have to research and cash in a bit to find idea powerhouse for the PARA. If possible, find some audiophile headphone local stores and demo their equipment, and find the sound you truly need.
Yeah, you might have to cash in a bit. I did mine by doing research. The 101db/Vrms is not mW, concerting to db/mW will result in 81db/mW, and people (I read in Reddit) state that they need more power draw than the Venus to sound optimally. Taobao customer review section consists of people spending quite a lot for their setup. Several of them owns DAC/Amp that costs more than the price of the PARA.
I would recommend the FiiO K7 for an AIO, but I'm not sure whether it powers as low as 8ohm. You might also venture into budget speaker amps to power these due to their 8ohms specifications that matches the output of many speaker amps.
the fact Para needs more power draw than Venus to sound optimal is interesting. very unusual for Moondrop to make the more expensive Venus headphones with more conventional specs (easier to find compatibility) and the half price Para is the one with very unusual impedance making it more difficult to source. usually you would think it's the other way around because more experienced customers usually go for the expensive models, and the lower priced model is more likely to be bought by newbies who lack understanding (like myself).
and yes speakers did come to mind when seeing the 8ohm spec. while possible, I assume the volume dial will be very sensitive and without some sort of physical modification to limit the turn of the volume dial you will be putting you hearing at risk every time you listen.
update: so I will follow your formatting instead of submitting a new comment and edit this one.
Moondrop official on Aliexpress still states if ordering now Para will arrive in 2 weeks and estimated to arrive on 10 October (previously estimate was 3 Oct when I checked 5 days ago) which is quite acceptable. but I would like to purchase from amazon so with a bit more peace of mind. current local amazon listing shows Shipped and Sold by Shenzhenaudio, with an estimated delivery of 8 November, a wait of 5 weeks.
so I did my research and looking at Venus release date of 21 November 2022, then Amazon US and local Amazon's Venus listing both which say date first available as 1st December 2022 (date listed for purchase shipped from Amazon warehouse). so that is a 10 day delay from release date until Amazon warehouse stock was available. I am hoping the Para will be available Fulfilled by Amazon in 3 days time on the 30th which is 10 days after Para's release date, then I can buy with some extra peace of mind and quick 1 to 2 day delivery.
and yes speakers did come to mind when seeing the 8ohm spec. while possible, I assume the volume dial will be very sensitive and without some sort of physical modification to limit the turn of the volume dial you will be putting you hearing at risk every time you listen.
update: so I will follow your formatting instead of submitting a new comment and edit this one.
Moondrop official on Aliexpress still states if ordering now Para will arrive in 2 weeks and estimated to arrive on 10 October (previously estimate was 3 Oct when I checked 5 days ago) which is quite acceptable. but I would like to purchase from amazon so with a bit more peace of mind. current local amazon listing shows Shipped and Sold by Shenzhenaudio, with an estimated delivery of 8 November, a wait of 5 weeks.
so I did my research and looking at Venus release date of 21 November 2022, then Amazon US and local Amazon's Venus listing both which say date first available as 1st December 2022 (date listed for purchase shipped from Amazon warehouse). so that is a 10 day delay from release date until Amazon warehouse stock was available. I am hoping the Para will be available Fulfilled by Amazon in 3 days time on the 30th which is 10 days after Para's release date, then I can buy with some extra peace of mind and quick 1 to 2 day delivery.
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