[Focker]

  Hello Everyone, This is my first post on Head-Fi.
 
I am looking for a Desktop AMP/DAC  which would pair well with my HD-700. Budget is around $300. Current contenders are:
 
1) Audio-GD-NFB 15.32
2) O2/Odac
3) Matrix M-Stage-HPA2.
 
I don't have any way of auditioning these and hence would be making a decision based on your suggestions. Which one of these would pair the best with the HD-700? Or are there any other better options for the HD-700 at the $300 price point?
 
Thanks.

4) Meier Corda Jazz 

 

[3083joe]

Hello Everyone, This is my first post on Head-Fi.

I am looking for a Desktop AMP/DAC  which would pair well with my HD-700. Budget is around $300. Current contenders are:

1) Audio-GD-NFB 15.32
2) O2/Odac
3) Matrix M-Stage-HPA2.

I don't have any way of auditioning these and hence would be making a decision based on your suggestions. Which one of these would pair the best with the HD-700? Or are there any other better options for the HD-700 at the $300 price point?

Thanks.

I have a audio-Gd 15. I bought about 1 month ago. Not for me. I enjoy tubes to much, no more then 4 hrs on it I would be willing to sell.

 

[Charliemotta]

I use the Matrix M-stage with my HD 700's and it is an awesome amp.

 

[Gagarin]

I just received this cable: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261317123574?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=560238168486&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
and first impressions are not good. I'm not going to comment on any sound differences, but the build is seriously lacking, and the lower half of the cable has a weird stiff sleeving that has tons of microphonics.
 
The £9 one from the HD212 Pro I also received is a better purchase, though it doesn't look good.

 

[Spenty]

I use the 1.2m version of that cable and there's no difference in sound quality to me.
 
The build quality doesn't bother me either, the braided bit is nice and I don't mind the rubber.
 
Amazon US and UK sell the same cable and it has 5 star reviews.

 

[donlin]

  I just received this cable: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261317123574?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=560238168486&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
and first impressions are not good. I'm not going to comment on any sound differences, but the build is seriously lacking, and the lower half of the cable has a weird stiff sleeving that has tons of microphonics.
 
The £9 one from the HD212 Pro I also received is a better purchase, though it doesn't look good.

This is the one you want to get. Beautifully made and a nice upgrade sonically.  If you don't believe in cables, please just ignore this post.
 
http://r.ebay.com/DBLNEU

 

[Spenty]

They must be laughing all the way to the bank selling cables for $249.

 

[dazzerfong]

  They must be laughing all the way to the bank selling cables for $249.

I love how it says "no ridiculous pricing" and charges $250 for that

 

[PETEREK]

The thing about Cardas and Dragon cables is that there is very little work that goes into making them, they aren't braided so they are made in short periods of time but still charge a lot for them.

 

[KopaZ]

I'm not gonna spend more than $50 for cables.
ever.
probably buy another amp for that kind of bucks.

 

[Gagarin]

  I use the 1.2m version of that cable and there's no difference in sound quality to me.
 
The build quality doesn't bother me either, the braided bit is nice and I don't mind the rubber.
 
Amazon US and UK sell the same cable and it has 5 star reviews.

 
I really hate it mate! I don't understand how you deal with it. I literally mounted it, walked around the house and my neighborhood and I've put it in a drawer.
 
Much prefer cables that are sleeved in paracord or something.

 

[Gagarin]

  I'm not gonna spend more than $50 for cables.
ever.
probably buy another amp for that kind of bucks.

 
Ugh I absolutely agree. Unfortunately what you get for under 50 usually isn't very good. 

 

[donlin]

I'm not gonna spend more than $50 for cables.
ever.
probably buy another amp for that kind of bucks.

Oh well, that's too bad.

 

[SSN2015]

I have a audio-Gd 15. I bought about 1 month ago. Not for me. I enjoy tubes to much, no more then 4 hrs on it I would be willing to sell.

I use the Matrix M-stage with my HD 700's and it is an awesome amp.

4) Meier Corda Jazz 

Thank you everyone for your valuable inputs. I have also come across a sparingly used Teac HA-501 Headphone Amplifier for approx $475 which is almost double the price of the Matrix M-Stage available on Massdrop. Would the difference in SQ justify the price? Please let me know

 

[Click]

Thank you everyone for your valuable inputs. I have also come across a sparingly used Teac HA-501 Headphone Amplifier for approx $475 which is almost double the price of the Matrix M-Stage available on Massdrop. Would the difference in SQ justify the price? Please let me know

I would go with Project Ember. Quite a few people have highly recommended it to pair well with HD700.