need headphone/dac/amp advice

[oceandream1]

HI,

I need advice about upgrading from the onboard audio on the my laptop, i currently have a laptop with "realtek high defination audio" and in addition it also has this "sound enhancing technology" called maxxaudio: http://www.maxx.com/technologies/maxxaudio/.

I do not know any technical stuff and only recently got into audiophile headphones. I got a X2 Philips headphone, just a day ago.

I wish to know if I invest in a dac/amp combo would it offer a significantly better sound experience as compared to what is coming from my laptop. From the research I have done, dragon fly v1.2, audio engine d1 and audio engine d3 seem to be popular with some good reviews. This is the sort of price range I am looking at. Can someone with knowledge and experience tell me if buying any of these would make me get the best possible sound out of my headphones or any difference may be negligible. Any advice or suggestions for someone in my position?

 

[H20Fidelity]

Also consider Schiit Fulla, it's getting good reviews. Generally yes, you should notice a nice increase adding an external dac/amp, really comes down to your headphones as well, thier performance level.

 

[brent75]

I wouldn't mess with Dragonfly v1.2 when their newer/better/(potentially cheaper) versions are getting released any day now.
 
Read the article I linked in this thread.

 

[oceandream1]

hi i have shortlisted the following items:
 
1) the ifi nano idsd 
2) meridian explorer 1/2
 
my headphones are x2 from phillips and will be using primarly through laptop (on board audio is real tek high defination audio). now can someone tell me which one is better. i am leaning more toward the ifi. also these are pricy. both cost more then my headphone themselevs. is this really worth the investment in terms of enhanced listening experience or is it just placebo. can also consider dragon fly red, as it seems to be new. but i have no way of knowing which one is better i have no technical knowledge. thanks

 

[Frozenhaze]

  hi i have shortlisted the following items:
 
1) the ifi nano idsd 
2) meridian explorer 1/2
 
my headphones are x2 from phillips and will be using primarly through laptop (on board audio is real tek high defination audio). now can someone tell me which one is better. i am leaning more toward the ifi. also these are pricy. both cost more then my headphone themselevs. is this really worth the investment in terms of enhanced listening experience or is it just placebo. thanks

 
I was in the exact same situation as you while ago and also found ifi's nano idsd as an interesting option but after hours of searching and reading reviews, I finally ended up ordering a much cheaper FiiO's E10K. It came mainly for mobile use with my laptop so the ifi's battery would have been useless and extra cost anyway. E10K does the job very well and didn't even break the bank, great bang for the buck I'd say. I must admit that I was first a little skeptical to buy such a "cheap" DAC but it was a positive surprise after all, even tough I'm used to listen a lot more advanced systems.

 

[oceandream1]

hey man thanks for the reply, i actually considered the fio but based on some youtube reviews and some professional reviews, they say its fine but not spectacular, especially the dac. so my thinking was if i am already spending so much money, and already spent money on headphones, actually get something which i really feel that worth it truly. ofcourse the price of these things can go as high as you want. but i have settlted on the meridion and ifi dsd range, but one way of reducing the cost is to go used. so i am thinking if i could find some good deal somewhere on the better ones used, it may be better then models below now. so that is why i am thinking of these two. but i will keep the fio in mind as well if i cant find a good deal on others. as i hoping to keep this setup for the next 2 years at minimum and i have no other gadgets or music listening gear

 

[Frozenhaze]

Well we both know that you can't get a spectacular system with few hundred bucks, it's all about the fact that how much you are willing to spend for those minor improvements after you already have reached the decent level. Soon we end up in situation where even a hardcore audiophile can't hear the difference between the systems, it's just the engineering and physics left and the pure joy is gone. FiiO took me to the decent level and that's fine, at least for my secondary mobile system... incurable perfectionism is hard to deal with you see.

 

[oceandream1]

yes i understand your point. and to be honest i am new to these things. like i have never owned a dac or amp or anything like that infact i did not even know what they were before i purchased my headphones. and my headphones are my first pair of goodish headphones or the most expensive ones that i have ever bought. 
 
the thing is some people have said dacs/amps are overrated and most people will not even notice the difference between them and laptop. especially since my headphones have 30/35 impedence if i am not mistaken.i would definately not call myself an audiophile and dont even understand half the terms they throw at you. like highs were rounded or lows were brash. i just put on a song and just feel if i feel it sounds good. i am just an avid music listener and music is a big thing in my life. i have read a ton of reviews for the past 2 days to be honest and i have reached a point where its just become overwhelming. everyone seems to have an opinion. 
 
my main objective is maximize the potential of my headphones and my own listening experience, under the 200 pounds range. and that is a bit of strech for me but if i go used i could get a 170-200 one for 100 or something. that is what i am considering. what i am scared of is investing a 100 pounds and then feeling whats the fuss is all about. it sounds exactly the same. if that makes sense....so i am a little confused lol