New Dac or headphone amp replacing ibasso mk2

[xledruidx]

i currently have the Ibasso zero mk2. but i want something new. i Also have the Space plus dac, but the headphone out here is very weak 50mW into 32ohm. i tried the fiio k3, and it was nice. i found it had better seperation of the different sounds, but not really worth the 150usd upgrade, given that it was better than the mk2 soundwise. after doing some math i see both the ibasso mk2 and the k3 are equally powerful getting to approx 1.9v rms out on the headphones.

wondering if you had an even better suggestion. will be used mostly for music. would you get a new dac/amp combo? or get a dedicated amp for the space plus dac? which will result in the best sound for my headphones?

my most listened to genres are, rap, hip hop, rock, punk rock and sometimes r&b but not alot.

 

[blackdragon87]

What is your price range

 

[xledruidx]

What is your price range

havent decided yet. depends on what im getting for the price. Was first thinking to hear recommendations, then decide how much i wanted to spend depending on that. money is not an issue, but i dont think a dac/amp for headphones should cost more than 300usd maximum, can ofcourse stretch if this is needed for a superior product. thanks for your help!

 

[xledruidx]

bump

 

[ProtegeManiac]

i currently have the Ibasso zero mk2. but i want something new. i Also have the Space plus dac, but the headphone out here is very weak 50mW into 32ohm. i tried the fiio k3, and it was nice. i found it had better seperation of the different sounds, but not really worth the 150usd upgrade, given that it was better than the mk2 soundwise. after doing some math i see both the ibasso mk2 and the k3 are equally powerful getting to approx 1.9v rms out on the headphones.

wondering if you had an even better suggestion. will be used mostly for music. would you get a new dac/amp combo? or get a dedicated amp for the space plus dac? which will result in the best sound for my headphones?

havent decided yet. depends on what im getting for the price. Was first thinking to hear recommendations, then decide how much i wanted to spend depending on that. money is not an issue, but i dont think a dac/amp for headphones should cost more than 300usd maximum, can ofcourse stretch if this is needed for a superior product. thanks for your help!

Get a Schiit Asgard2 and use the Mk2 as your DAC, hook up its line out to the inputs on the Asgard.

 

[PopZeus]

My personal pick for the best price/ performance ratio for a DAC/amp combo is handily the Audio-gd R2R-11 (or the NFB-11, if you’re into delta-sigma sound).

Imho, the R2R-11 is a phenomenal sounding device with a smooth, analog timbre that’s not really available on any other device in this price range. It doesn’t have too many other bells and whistles compared to some other combos but I do quite like the option of a fixed and pre out.