[Handberg]

Hi fellow head-fi'ers..
 
The time is upon me. I have craved a good set of headphones and a decent amp/dac for longer than I care to remember (read about a year) and as I'm building myself a new pc, I thought it would be a good time to get a decent sounding dac....  and then why not a good set of headphones?...... and they'll need a decent amp.... the list could go on, but the ol' ball 'n' chain would probably not be too happy with me if I let it.
 
The headphones I'll be using is the AKG K702. They have gotten good reviews on sound, quality, comfortability and they look awesome. I know they are a bit expensive compared to the budget I've put on the dac/amp combo, but I'm in love.. what can I say!
 
I've been looking around the net and I've come up with a few candidates:
 
XiangSheng DAC-01A ($200)
AUNE HIFIDIY.NET Mini USB DAC + Headphone Amp MK2 (<$150 bonus!)
Millet Mosfet Max + bantam/grub dac (DIY project) ($200+...and DIY)
 
Which setup would you guys recommend?
 
I mainly listen to rock music and generally tube amps gets good reviews for this type of music - so I consider tubes a "plus" - although not a "must". Also I would like to use the dac/amp as source for a speakers/poweramp setup as well.. again this is a "plus" not a "must".
 
kind regards
Handberg

 

[obazavil]

Check the Fiio E7 / E9 combo for US $200.00:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/513411/micca-store-fiio-e7-e9-headphone-amplifier-bundle-for-199-95
 
The DAC (E7) and desktop amp (E9) are pretty powerful and can drive K702 without any problems at all.
Also, the E9 can drive even 600Ohm headphones (like my DT990/600)
 
I use the E7/E9 with both my k702 and dt990 and i'm pretty happy with it

 

[futuro107]

Recommend YULONG U-100 DAC/AMP:
http://www.audiophilechina.com/cp-show.asp?C_id=229&S_id2=37&s_id=38

 

[Elanzer]

Audio-gd's NFB-12 is a steal at it's current $200 release promo pricetag, it's price will likely go up a fair bit after the promo is over.
 
Dual WM8741 (wolfson's current flagship) DAC chips, very powerful headphone out (best in this pricerange for a combo unit afaik, it can drive 150mw into 600-Ohm and 3500mw into 25-Ohm, so even orthodynamic headphones aren't completely out of the question.). It's also great stand alone DAC if you do decide to get a stand alone tube amp, so upgradability is good as well. It's a rather "complete" all in one unit for the price, more inputs and controls than most in this range.
 
Others on here have used the Audio-gd FUN/Sparrow with the WM8741 chip, the amp section on those is very similar and it's apparently a nice combo for the K702. Most people here don't seem to like tubes on the K701/K702, either.
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB12/NFB12EN.htm

 

[yifu]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HiFiMAN-EF2-USB-Tube-Headphone-Amplifier-/260445932173?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ca3c98a8d
 
Definitely the HifiMan EF2. It is a very good tube amp/DAC combo that many members here love. And it goes for 189.

 

[ddr]

i'm curious, how does a portable amp/dac stack up to a full-size one at $200 (or any price range for that matter)? logically, the full-size one may provide greater power?

i.e. arrow 12HE, ibasso D4, meier audio stepdance

vs. those mentioned in this thread?

i'm at a point where portability isn't too big of a deal, but i was always curious about a comparison between the two main types of amps

 

[Elanzer]

Portable ones generally have only a fraction of the power output, most only suitable for 150-Ohm or less and even then they still can have some problems with lower sensitivity headphones in those ranges. Usually the noise-floor is worse on a portable as well.
 
Basically a desktop unit will just have better specs all around in everything besides, well, portability.

 

[Poetik]

I own the ef2 and for the price I wouldn't even bother especially with audio GD / fiio coming out with some great bang for the buck amp/dac combos.  The e7/e9 combo and the NFB-12 are similarly priced at $200 and honestly you couldn't go wrong with either. 
 
Although there is one noticeable difference between the e7/e9 and the NFB-12.  The e7/e9 uses a Wolfson WM8740 DAC while the NFB-12 uses 2 Wolfson WM8741 DAC's.  Now how that sounds is totally up to whoever is using it but I believe the 8741 is better and in the NFB-12 has 2 of them. 
 
Also if you plan to get the NFB-12 you should probably order quickly as the pre-order special price wont last too much longer on it.

 

[ddr]

Portable ones generally have only a fraction of the power output, most only suitable for 150-Ohm or less and even then they still can have some problems with lower sensitivity headphones in those ranges. Usually the noise-floor is worse on a portable as well.
 
Basically a desktop unit will just have better specs all around in everything besides, well, portability.

thnx

has anyone actually done any direct comparisons on here?

 

[Coupe]

And music said, let there be this.  And this there was.  
 
Quote:

Check the Fiio E7 / E9 combo for US $200.00:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/513411/micca-store-fiio-e7-e9-headphone-amplifier-bundle-for-199-95
 
The DAC (E7) and desktop amp (E9) are pretty powerful and can drive K702 without any problems at all.
Also, the E9 can drive even 600Ohm headphones (like my DT990/600)
 
I use the E7/E9 with both my k702 and dt990 and i'm pretty happy with it

 

[iHasCake]

there's also the Audinst HUD-mx1 amp/DAC for $179
 
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1312&_nkw=HUD-mx1&_sacat=See-All-Categories
 
according to their website this will also power 600ohm phones as well.  getting excited to see all these sub $200 amp/DACs getting up there in specs.
 
http://www.audinst.com/en/bbs/board.php?bo_table=HUDmx1&wr_id=3

 

[Handberg]

First of, thx for the replies!
 
There are some really interesting amp/dacs and I'm looking forward to reading more about them in the next couple of days.
I'll let you know what I decide and I'll keep an eye on this post for further recommendations.

 

[Handberg]

I reviewed all the different suggesions and eventually decided to get the NFB-12. The Promo offer was just too good to pass off...

 

[WaveRider69]

Wow glad I found this thread.  I was looking at the same amps Handberg.  Thanks guys for the recommendations I'm also going to get the NFB-12, that's exactly along the likes of what I've been looking for!  Sweet!

 

[WaveRider69]

Hey what about the NFB-12 vs the FUN?