My list of recommended DACs

[project86]

Quote:

Hello, Could you give me an advice, what the better solution is for my Sennheiser HD600:
The Yulong D100 (used as Dac/Hp Amp Combo) - or the combination Matrix Cube Dac (only as Dac) with the Matrix M-Stage. 
What is more important for a good sound: Focus on the Dac (Yulong), or Focus on the Hp Amp (M-Stage)

Good question. It sort of depends on where you might go in the future: the better DAC (D100) would be my suggestion if you plan on someday getting a nicer amp in your system. The Matrix combo is probably better if you are done upgrading after this.
 

 

[AlexRoma]

Interesting, very interesting post...

project86 , tell me please, have you ever heard the new Burson HA-160D dac/amp ? At the moment there are few review about it, especially direct comparison reviews, but thy Moon Audio's review hooked me tight on this device ..

I am not as experienced as you are... I would definitely consider your ideas/recommendations, as I did with Audinst HUD-MX1 previously.

 

[project86]

 
Quote:

Interesting, very interesting post...

project86 , tell me please, have you ever heard the new Burson HA-160D dac/amp ? At the moment there are few review about it, especially direct comparison reviews, but thy Moon Audio's review hooked me tight on this device ..

I am not as experienced as you are... I would definitely consider your ideas/recommendations, as I did with Audinst HUD-MX1 previously.

I haven't had the pleasure of hearing the 160D, but from my brief time with the regular 160 amp I thought it was very nice. Great warm sound with lots of power on tap.
 
See my sig for the full review of the Anedio D1. Obviously I can't say how it stacks up against the Burson, but they certainly differ in their design philosophy. The Anedio seems designed from a no nonsense engineering perspective, with an emphasis put on measurements combined with listening. The Burson seems more "audiophile" driven (if that makes any sense) with their expertise being more in the analog domain. You sort of have to decide for yourself which camp you fall into, unless of course you had the chance to listen to both units and compare.
 
It's interesting that the Burson uses the same Tenor USB receiver that Anedio chose to skip. I could have sworn I read that the Burson used an asynchronous USB implementation, which the Tenor does not do. I'll have to read more about it.
 
In the end, as long as the Burson DAC section is halfway decent, the 160D can't help but be good just based on the strength of the amp section. As for me I have no desire to look any further than the Anedio. I am on the list for the Audio-GD Reference 7 loaner program, so I'll be comparing that to the Anedio when it comes my way in a few months.

 

[YTCrazyTieGuy]

Great comparison!
If i'm looking for a sub-$200 dac to use with a separate headphone amp what do you think about the HRT Music streamer 2?

 

[MorbidToaster]

I never realized how big the D100 is. I think this is going to be my next purchase to pair with my D7000. And then a nice A100 to match.