Portable DAC/AMP for DT-770 PRO 32ohm

[Jebbel]

Hi Head-Fi-ers,
 
I'm currently running a DT-770 Pro 32ohm on a Galaxy Note4. This phone is the 910F so no Wolfson DAC for me . I love the DT-770 pro's and they go through at least 6hours of playtime a day. I feel though that on my phone the highs can sometimes be a bit on the harsh side and it lacks some bass extension...though it is very tight. My question is: would a portable DAC/AMP help in driving these cans better (even though it's only 32ohm). I've heard good stuff abvout smsl, fiio and dragonfly. I'm looking to spend about 75,- Eur. which is around 85 USD.
 
what are your experiences and recommendations?
 
edit: AudioSource is Spotify Premium

 

[csmx123]

Just plug into your phone and enjoy. I think portable devices should be as small as possible. I use Sansa clip plus ($30) with hifiman RE-400 ($80) as my portable rig.

 

[Jebbel]

Just plug into your phone and enjoy. I think portable devices should be as small as possible. I use Sansa clip plus ($30) with hifiman RE-400 ($80) as my portable rig.

Thanks for your message. I'm not too concerned about portability... I bought the note4 after all . I do notice a difference between my phone's output and my Xonar sound card for example... hence my interest in a external amp for my phone. I travel a lot... about 15hours of train per week so I would still like to hear any recommendations or thoughts on this particular setup.

 

[csmx123]

Thanks for your message. I'm not too concerned about portability... I bought the note4 after all

. I do notice a difference between my phone's output and my Xonar sound card for example... hence my interest in a external amp for my phone. I travel a lot... about 15hours of train per week so I would still like to hear any recommendations or thoughts on this particular setup.

Well I don't have too much experience with portable DAPs. Maybe a FiiO E17K? You can get those for around $120 on eBay.
 
This is head fi's own website http://www.head-fi.org/products/category/amp-dacs, hope it helps.

 

[Jebbel]

This is head fi's own website http://www.head-fi.org/products/category/amp-dacs, hope it helps.

Didn't know there was a dedicated page for it. Great!! Thanks; will report back.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Thanks for your message. I'm not too concerned about portability... I bought the note4 after all

. I do notice a difference between my phone's output and my Xonar sound card for example... hence my interest in a external amp for my phone. I travel a lot... about 15hours of train per week so I would still like to hear any recommendations or thoughts on this particular setup.

 
FiiO A3 (E11K) headphone amplifier, $60 USD.
You can daisy chain it off the headphone jack of the source (notebook & phone).
Or you can daisy chain the A3 off the sound card.

 

[Raketen]

I don't have any recommendation but when I had the 770.32 I did notice an improvement w/ an amp from my portable sources (either line-out or headphone out), though none of them were particularly powerful and I wasnt' volume matching & comparing.

 

[Jebbel]

  I don't have any recommendation but when I had the 770.32 I did notice an improvement w/ an amp from my portable sources (either line-out or headphone out), though none of them were particularly powerful and I wasnt' volume matching & comparing.

Interesting . a bit more volume is definitely required on the Galaxy Note4 but I'm mainly interested in the DAC. I don't see a DAC in the Fiio A3 (I could be mistaken). Something like the Fiio E18 Kunlun would be awesome but it's above what I want to spend for a first time experiment like this . I'm gonna dig through the amp/dac page a bit more and report back here when I go for something.

 

[Raketen]

  Interesting . a bit more volume is definitely required on the Galaxy Note4 but I'm mainly interested in the DAC. I don't see a DAC in the Fiio A3 (I could be mistaken). Something like the Fiio E18 Kunlun would be awesome but it's above what I want to spend for a first time experiment like this . I'm gonna dig through the amp/dac page a bit more and report back here when I go for something.

 
Idk if that's going to net you a huge improvement, especially at this budget- 'm unfamilar with the note 4, but a lot of devices people generally regard as competent sources+,  like Clips or the xDuoo x2 use integrated audio- amps are about volume but also about their ability to supply the power that creates that volume which makes a difference.

I have not used any of these, but if you're really intent on that perhaps something like the Fiio K1, topping NX2 or the SMSL you mentioned might suit your needs. If you have access to used market that might put the e18k or creative labs e3/e5, nuforce uDAC, Cambridge DACmagic or dragonfly in reach. If you can go without Spotify, Fiio's M3 and X1 DAPs also have name brand DACs and are <$100..
 
If you are comfortable mucking about with your phone (and don't mind the secuirty risk of rooting given recent news)  there is also the option of heading over to XDA forums for modding Android audio, or adding Viper4Android. A lot of poeple using android phones report improvment.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Interesting . a bit more volume is definitely required on the Galaxy Note4 but I'm mainly interested in the DAC. I don't see a DAC in the Fiio A3 (I could be mistaken). Something like the Fiio E18 Kunlun would be awesome but it's above what I want to spend for a first time experiment like this . I'm gonna dig through the amp/dac page a bit more and report back here when I go for something.

 
Not all USB DACs work with phones or other portable devices.
So not sure what USB DAC will work with your portable hardware, so just thru out the A3 as one option.

 

[Jebbel]

Much appreciated guys . Food for thought

 

[csmx123]

Burger King!

 

[Jebbel]

   
Idk if that's going to net you a huge improvement, especially at this budget- 'm unfamilar with the note 4, but a lot of devices people generally regard as competent sources+,  like Clips or the xDuoo x2 use integrated audio- amps are about volume but also about their ability to supply the power that creates that volume which makes a difference.

I have not used any of these, but if you're really intent on that perhaps something like the Fiio K1, topping NX2 or the SMSL you mentioned might suit your needs. If you have access to used market that might put the e18k or creative labs e3/e5, nuforce uDAC, Cambridge DACmagic or dragonfly in reach. If you can go without Spotify, Fiio's M3 and X1 DAPs also have name brand DACs and are <$100..
 
If you are comfortable mucking about with your phone (and don't mind the secuirty risk of rooting given recent news)  there is also the option of heading over to XDA forums for modding Android audio, or adding Viper4Android. A lot of poeple using android phones report improvment.

I might be able to get a brand new Fiio E07k Andes. what do you guys think of this one? It has the WM8740 DAC inside.

 

[Raketen]

Output Power: 250mW (16Ω); 220mW (32Ω); 36mW (300Ω)

No idea how it sounds but should be more than enough amp-wise (I think 770 is max 200mw anyway).
Pretty popular item so there are about a billion reviews to read if you're so inclined.

 

[Jebbel]

  Output Power: 250mW (16Ω); 220mW (32Ω); 36mW (300Ω)

No idea how it sounds but should be more than enough amp-wise (I think 770 is max 200mw anyway).
Pretty popular item so there are about a billion reviews to read if you're so inclined.

Picking up a used E07k tonight for 40Eur. (45 USD). I think I struck a pretty good deal on that. But yeah...not absolutely sure how big the difference is going to be..but at this price it's still fun to take a gamble . I'll report back with my findings on this setup!