[ctechdx]

Hello my friends,
 
I´m in doubt about those two dac + amp... 
 
Which one you guys think will fit better for Unique Melody Miracle In Ear phones?
 
ODAC + O2 AMP or Fiio E18?
 
I have the RME HDSP 9632 audio card, it´s not a super converter, but I believe it does a good job. I´m not sure if ODAC or Fiio converter would be better than my RME. I´m not sure if I go only for an amp or if I take a DAC + Amp combo. As I said I gonna use the UM Miracle, 16 ohms only. Then I don´t need a super powerful amp. 
 
I would like to have suggestions. 
 
My price range is not too high. I would like to spend below $ 300. 
 
Thanks,

 

[cel4145]

I think most people would consider the ODAC/O2 the better DAC/amp. But it is not portable. Small enough you could carry in a backpack and then plug into an outlet and use with a laptop wherever you go, but not pocket portable with a battery in the sense of the E18.

I don't know anything about the RME HDSP 9632. But notably is it a much more expensive sound card. Note that it says it's low impedance headphone output is 75 ohms. Not good for 16 ohm headphones. Simply adding an O2 or Fiio E12 to it (no DAC) could improve things.

 

[ctechdx]

I think most people would consider the ODAC/O2 the better DAC/amp. But it is not portable. Small enough you could carry in a backpack and then plug into an outlet and use with a laptop wherever you go, but not pocket portable with a battery in the sense of the E18.

I don't know anything about the RME HDSP 9632. But notably is it a much more expensive sound card. Note that it says it's low impedance headphone output is 75 ohms. Not good for 16 ohm headphones. Simply adding an O2 or Fiio E12 to it (no DAC) could improve things.

 
Thanks Cel4145...
 
Actually I gonna use this in my studio. Then I don´t worry for a portable device. The most important to me is to get the best possible sound quality in my price range. I know I cannot expect much in that price range, but I did read some good reviews about O2 and ODAC... seems that it´s a good choice for the price range. The Fiio was suggested by the Unique Melody guy here in my country... he said it´s enough to drive the miracle. 
 
Would be good to hear more opinions about!

 

[ctechdx]

Note that it says it's low impedance headphone output is 75 ohms. Not good for 16 ohm headphones. Simply adding an O2 or Fiio E12 to it (no DAC) could improve things.

 
By the way... currently I´m using the phones in my RME card... what is the problem to use in that 75 ohms headphone output? What will change when using a correct amp impedance?
 
Thanks, 

 

[cel4145]

The general rule of thumb is you want the headphone amp to have a low output impedance at least 1/8 of the headphones. Otherwise, can affect the frequency response of the headphones and the dampening of the bass.

 

[ctechdx]

The general rule of thumb is you want the headphone amp to have a low output impedance at least 1/8 of the headphones. Otherwise, can affect the frequency response of the headphones and the dampening of the bass.

 
Then the lower impedance on the amp should be 2 ohms for a 16 ohms headphone? My card lower headphone impedance is 75 ohms?

 

[cel4145]

Yes. Optimal is considered at least 2 ohms for 16 ohm headphones. And yes. According to those specs, looks like 75 ohms.

 

[ctechdx]

Yes. Optimal is considered at least 2 ohms for 16 ohm headphones. And yes. According to those specs, looks like 75 ohms.

 
Thanks, I´m thinking maybe to handle a DIY O2 amp. Do you have any other suggestion for a DIY amp project? 

 

[cel4145]

Sorry. I'm not a DIY kind of guy when it comes to electronics

 

[tomb]

 

Yes. Optimal is considered at least 2 ohms for 16 ohm headphones. And yes. According to those specs, looks like 75 ohms.

 
Thanks, I´m thinking maybe to handle a DIY O2 amp. Do you have any other suggestion for a DIY amp project? 

 
You will find much more information about DIY in the DIY section. 

 
This is just one example:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/537398/list-of-diy-headphone-amplifiers