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Powerful DAP recommendation.

Oct 10, 2018 at 1:32 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 31
Tsukuyomi

Tsukuyomi

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Hello everyone,
I'll make this short, I currently have a FiiO X5 Gen III. i'm looking for a new DAP with more driving power for headphones.
it should meet these requirements in the following order from most important to less.
a) Driving Power (able to drive for example: Audeze LCD-2Classic or other planars.
b) good DAC
c) reasonable price, preferably under 800$
d) looks nice physically.
e) New(preferably not something from 5-10 years ago)

any input would be greatly appreciated, i've been looking at Astell & Kern but im not sure what kind of driving power thoes DAPs have and they're mostly over my budget except for the lower end ones that are relatively new.
 
Oct 10, 2018 at 2:12 PM Post #2 of 31
Tsukuyomi said:
Hello everyone,
I'll make this short, I currently have a FiiO X5 Gen III. i'm looking for a new DAP with more driving power for headphones.
it should meet these requirements in the following order from most important to less.
a) Driving Power (able to drive for example: Audeze LCD-2Classic or other planars.
b) good DAC
c) reasonable price, preferably under 800$
d) looks nice physically.
e) New(preferably not something from 5-10 years ago)

any input would be greatly appreciated, i've been looking at Astell & Kern but im not sure what kind of driving power thoes DAPs have and they're mostly over my budget except for the lower end ones that are relatively new.
Click to expand...

Do you have (or are you willing to buy) balanced cables for your power-hungry planars? It may make a difference in terms of which will have adequate power.
 
Oct 10, 2018 at 2:14 PM Post #3 of 31
kukkurovaca said:
Do you have (or are you willing to buy) balanced cables for your power-hungry planars? It may make a difference in terms of which will have adequate power.
Click to expand...

Also, if you aren't always using the DAP with hard-to-drive headphones, it may be easier or more cost-effective to get a separate amp to handle the LCD-2s, etc. when needed.
 
Oct 10, 2018 at 2:54 PM Post #4 of 31
I currently have enough power at home to push planars (violectric).

the Dap would be used yes for the LCD-2C's but also for pair of AKG and other harder to drive headphones(sen/beyer/hifiman/etc...)
 
Oct 10, 2018 at 2:57 PM Post #5 of 31
I wouldnt mind using balanced cables, the problem is, 2.5 is fragile, i'd rather use 3.5 for "longevity" in terms of ware.
 
Oct 10, 2018 at 10:41 PM Post #6 of 31
Ibasso DX200 if you want to blow your whole load, and need all the bells and whistles.
The Bit Opus #1s will cut that price in half, but is a wired only one trick pony.
I'm not sure either will push planars to their full potential. Oh, and then their is the budget friendly Hifiman Supermini
 
Oct 11, 2018 at 6:47 AM Post #9 of 31
The iBasso DX150 + DX200 seem quite steep in price (im in Canada).
Does anyone know if the Cayin N5iiS is any good? i saw somewhere it pushes out 2V single ended.
 
Oct 11, 2018 at 10:13 AM Post #10 of 31
Tsukuyomi said:
The iBasso DX150 + DX200 seem quite steep in price (im in Canada).
Does anyone know if the Cayin N5iiS is any good? i saw somewhere it pushes out 2V single ended.
Click to expand...
It pushes my Sundaras fine on single ended and is even better on balanced.

It has 150mw/32ohms on single ended and double that on balanced.
 
Oct 11, 2018 at 12:15 PM Post #11 of 31
I'm going to be using the dap mostly for my B&O H6 when outside (they dont require much power so i know they're not the focus here.) what im gonna be using them more for is my DT1990 Pro's and Audeze LCD2C and potentially AKG K712Pro and possibly my friends Hifiman Sundara.
I'm looking at the new Cayin N5iiS and maybe the A&K AK70 MK II, A&norma SR15,or the AK100II.

its hard to find a DAP that can push all thoes headphones mentioned above (minus the B&O H6II) without going over 800$CND.. by a lot..
 
Oct 11, 2018 at 12:16 PM Post #12 of 31
seanwee said:
It pushes my Sundaras fine on single ended and is even better on balanced.

It has 150mw/32ohms on single ended and double that on balanced.
Click to expand...
Have you tried any Audeze LCD2Cs?
 
Oct 11, 2018 at 1:16 PM Post #13 of 31
Tsukuyomi said:
Have you tried any Audeze LCD2Cs?
Click to expand...
Those need about the same power as the Sundaras so it should be the same. I like the Sundaras better though.
 
Oct 11, 2018 at 1:35 PM Post #14 of 31
Tsukuyomi said:
I'm going to be using the dap mostly for my B&O H6 when outside (they dont require much power so i know they're not the focus here.) what im gonna be using them more for is my DT1990 Pro's and Audeze LCD2C and potentially AKG K712Pro and possibly my friends Hifiman Sundara.
I'm looking at the new Cayin N5iiS and maybe the A&K AK70 MK II, A&norma SR15,or the AK100II.

its hard to find a DAP that can push all thoes headphones mentioned above (minus the B&O H6II) without going over 800$CND.. by a lot..
Click to expand...

Why not get whatever DAP you want and a Fiio A5 or Cayin C5?
 
Oct 11, 2018 at 10:11 PM Post #15 of 31
kukkurovaca said:
Why not get whatever DAP you want and a Fiio A5 or Cayin C5?
Click to expand...
Probably due to portability. It's annoying to have to charge 2 devices too.
 
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