Schiit Stack (Magnius, Modius & Lokius) or RME ADI-2 DAC FS?

[ST33L]

I’m on the fence between the two. My priority is the EQ ability that they both offer. I would also like the balance option, or the ability to balance later. I’ll be running Sennheiser 660, Beyerdynamic 1990, Focal Elegia… nothing crazy. Different platforms, but that’s what I like. The RME cost more, but that’s not an issue. I was also considering the Topping A90/D90SE… I guess a software EQ as a last resort. Is there an obvious winner? Thanks!

 

[carbonF1]

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of what you’ve listed: I love Schiit’s multibit DACs, but the RME ADI-2 is one of the few D/S DACs I’d still consider getting (I’ve seriously considered it twice now and may eventually sell my Bifrost 2 to get one). As far as EQ, the RME has many, many more options and settings to tweak, though the Lokius has 6 knobs which does keep things simple. Out of everything listed I’d say the RME is the obvious winner in quality and performance. I see a lot of people run their headphones with it, even HD800S (!) but if it ends up not being enough power, can add a headphone amp later. Schiit is great performance/dollar, but I tend to end up selling their stuff after a while. Hopefully that doesn’t happen with my Gungnir on order after going through each of their other DACs. Buy once/cry once.

 

[ST33L]

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of what you’ve listed: I love Schiit’s multibit DACs, but the RME ADI-2 is one of the few D/S DACs I’d still consider getting (I’ve seriously considered it twice now and may eventually sell my Bifrost 2 to get one). As far as EQ, the RME has many, many more options and settings to tweak, though the Lokius has 6 knobs which does keep things simple. Out of everything listed I’d say the RME is the obvious winner in quality and performance. I see a lot of people run their headphones with it, even HD800S (!) but if it ends up not being enough power, can add a headphone amp later. Schiit is great performance/dollar, but I tend to end up selling their stuff after a while. Hopefully that doesn’t happen with my Gungnir on order after going through each of their other DACs. Buy once/cry once.

Thanks for the reply! It’s seems RME ADI-2 is the better choice based on my research. Power was my only concern, but I could add an amp later if necessary as you’ve mentioned