[zilch0md]

As crazy as that looks, and as cumbersome as it is, the combination of an ESS9018K2M DAC and the Meier Quickstep is like an Oppo HA-2 on Steroids. That's got my respect as being an extremely accurate, neutral, highly resolving and transparent, yet powerful rig. Basically, any headphone or IEM you use will be about the only thing adding any flavor to the signal. And it will drive an LCD-2 with authority. Nice!

 

[h1f1add1cted]

Stack attack!

Assuming the Hifime Sabre ES9018K2M improves upon the SQ of the S4?

 
Yes this DAC has a very clean powerful output, with two digital filter settings, pretty nice for less than 120 Euro.
 

As crazy as that looks, and as cumbersome as it is, the combination of an ESS9018K2M DAC and the Meier Quickstep is like an Oppo HA-2 on Steroids. That's got my respect as being an extremely accurate, neutral, highly resolving and transparent, yet powerful rig. Basically, any headphone or IEM you use will be about the only thing adding any flavor to the signal. And it will drive an LCD-2 with authority. Nice!

 
Yes this was the reason why I added this DAC between, for my HD800 also a very pleasant combo.

 

[ChristopherOwen]

FiiO X7 & E18:

 

[DaejeonCitizen]

Sony A25 Walkman and MDR-100AAP with matching Sony promotional headphone stand.

 

[cuiter23]

 

Sony A25 Walkman and MDR-100AAP with matching Sony promotional headphone stand.

 
Is that the Daejeon woman?

 

[DaejeonCitizen]

   
Is that the Daejeon woman?

 
Alas it is not. It's the Korean singer IU who promotes Sony over here. 

 

[Cotnijoe]

Omg... The stand actually comes with an IU xut out in front of it?

 

[cj3209]

   
Alas it is not. It's the Korean singer IU who promotes Sony over here. 

Oh, I get it - LOL....

 

[audioxxx]

The stand is a classic, love it, could always use it as a dart board, as well. Lol.

Go Sony

 

[HiFiChris]

 

[el boricua]

why, but why, put a dac between a smartphone and a headphone amp?

 

[zilch0md]

why, but why, put a dac between a smartphone and a headphone amp?

The inserted DAC offers much better SQ than the smartphone's internal DAC.

 

[PinkyPowers]

why, but why, put a dac between a smartphone and a headphone amp?

DACs play a large role in over-all sound quality. Smoothness, detail, PRaT, even soundstage. The DAC you use is as important as any other link in the chain.

Now, for the sake of convenience, I suggest using a DAC/Amp combo when stacking with a smartphone. A triple stack is awkward as hell.

 

[drmrwt]

 
 
My portablish humble rig. 
 
BTW what should my next buy be if i have a 500$ budget? Should i upgrade my dac/amp like mojo, or go for a lesser impedance headphone like the hd 25 II or the denon 7000's?

 

[NaiveSound]

DACs play a large role in over-all sound quality. Smoothness, detail, PRaT, even soundstage. The DAC you use is as important as any other link in the chain.

Now, for the sake of convenience, I suggest using a DAC/Amp combo when stacking with a smartphone. A triple stack is awkward as hell.

I agree, Chord Mojo is a very good dac as stated in all sources