[Paul Graham]

Good Evening Folks...
 
I have a decision to make and would like some help.
 
We're moving in 6 weeks and getting married in 3 weeks, I already owe money still to a good friend on here so my budget once 
everyone and everything is payed off is going to be very slim. ( Some time in the new year. )
 
I need a Balanced USB DAC & Amp combo. 
 
This will be doubling up on Desktop & Portable duties to save money. 
 
Source - iMac running Audirvana Pro.
Cans - Sony MDR SA5000, Beyer Hybrids ( 320 ohms iirc ) , Sennheiser HD25 1 II, and Eventually some Hifiman HE500's. ( All balanced or will be )
Monitors - Fostex PM04n 
 
Now so far Ive looked at the RSA Intruder and the ALO International as they're both DAC's, Have fully balanced in and out and as far as I can see are capable of driving harder to drive headphones.
 
The RSA is my absolute limit as far as cost goes.
 
Any help would be much appreciated thank you folks!!!
 
p.s. If any of my friends have one I can audition for a short while, I would be forever in your dept.
 
 
Many thanks, Paul

 

[rudi0504]

Hi Paul

Congrats for your wedding in 3 weeks time

The Intruder

Dac section : is limited only to 16 bit / 44 KHz

If your source is your mac only , than you must take the risk of Intruder limitation dac

Amp section : is excellent , has better SQ than the International

Power wise : Alo international has slightly bigger power

Alo International

Dac section : is better than Intruder can play to 24 / 96 KHz
This is plus point with your IMAC as source

Amp section : is very good SQ but a bit harsh

Power section : slightly bigger than intruder

These two amps have NO hiss

I hope this help you

IMO

 

[Paul Graham]

Thank you Rudi. You're always a good help
When you say the ALO's sound is more harsh.
In what way mate?

 

[rudi0504]

Hi Paul

You are welcome

International SQ is a bit harsh and the Intruder SQ is smooth

International power is bigger than Intruder

International :
High : is not so clean and clear like the intruder

Mid : if you A B Ing , you can tell the midrange is not so natural than intruder

Bass : more impact and faster speed than intruder , but intruder more refine

Soundstage : International is mire depth , intruder has wider soundstage

Pair with LCD 2 with international. Has better synergy than intruder

For pair with TH 900 intruder is better than international

Nobody is perfect in audio world

IMO

 

[Paul Graham]

Ive decided on the intruder.
However, Does anyone know if I can connect my iPhone 5 using the CCK without the need for the SOLO???

 

[Levanter]

Anyone tried ADL X1? Was wondering how it compares with International and RSA?

 

[Mooses9]

Hi Paul

You are welcome

International SQ is a bit harsh and the Intruder SQ is smooth

International power is bigger than Intruder

International :
High : is not so clean and clear like the intruder

Mid : if you A B Ing , you can tell the midrange is not so natural than intruder

Bass : more impact and faster speed than intruder , but intruder more refine

Soundstage : International is mire depth , intruder has wider soundstage

Pair with LCD 2 with international. Has better synergy than intruder

For pair with TH 900 intruder is better than international

Nobody is perfect in audio world

IMO

Nice comparison to me it sounds like the intruder is the better of the 2. But I guess that depends on what you are looking for.