[encoreAC]

 
This is my setup right now. If anybody can recommend a standalone DAC that can give me an audible upgrade over the implementation in the E10K I'm all ears!

 
Interesting, how are you liking it? Might be useful to know for other people too.

 

[blse59]

   
Interesting, how are you liking it? Might be useful to know for other people too.

I love it! The sounds are crisp, clear. I assume the O2 is neutral so what I'm hearing is the dac (and the headphone). Sometimes I smile when I hear how clear and balanced the sound is.

 

[encoreAC]

 
I love it! The sounds are crisp, clear. I assume the O2 is neutral so what I'm hearing is the dac (and the headphone). Sometimes I smile when I hear how clear and balanced the sound is.

 
Cool, not sure if upgrading the dac will improve anything besides your impression in your head ;D

 

[lawrecedent]

Hey! Yesterday i got my hd 650,upgraded from hd 558.And im using them with fiio e10k but i dont know,they dont sound that stuning ;/ maybe its dac/amp fault? What amp/dac combo would you recomend me for 200Eu? 

Give them time, I had the same initial reaction to mine. Straight out of the box I thought they sounded good but not the huge leap up I expected from the other headphones I owned. However, after an afternoon listening their magic revealed itself. It's subtle but for me it was about seperation and placement of instruments that gives them a much more organic and realistic sound imo.

 

[donlin]

Hey! Yesterday i got my hd 650,upgraded from hd 558.And im using them with fiio e10k but i dont know,they dont sound that stuning ;/ maybe its dac/amp fault? What amp/dac combo would you recomend me for 200Eu? 

 

[donlin]

This is my setup right now. If anybody can recommend a standalone DAC that can give me an audible upgrade over the implementation in the E10K I'm all ears!

Bryston BDA-2

 

[blse59]

Bryston BDA-2

Oh how I wish I could A/B this with my dac to see how much better a $2000+ dac sounds.

 

[donlin]

Oh how I wish I could A/B this with my dac to see how much better a $2000+ dac sounds.

I think you'd be amazed.

 

[encoreAC]

Or this

: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733-19.html 

 

[teofilrocks]

Or this:veryevil: : http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733-19.html 

If only they had sampled more than 2 people, that test would've been interesting. Bummer.

 

[Shaffer]

If only they had sampled more than 2 people, that test would've been interesting. Bummer.

And, untrained, inexperienced listeners. It's silly.

 

[encoreAC]

It might be silly, but it still brings things into perspective.
 
In terms how you equipment affects the sound quality imo:
 
Headphone>amp>>dac.

 

[donlin]

In terms how you equipment affects the sound quality imo:

Headphone>amp>>dac.

As a basic approach I would agree with your ranking. Where we would probably differ is that even though the dac has less effect,it is still a very significant effect, and there is nothing the downstream gear can do to recover it.

 

[Gilly87]

There's some good stuff at every price point but $300+ is where you start hearing major benefits of a nicer DAC that even non-sensitive ears will notice IMO

or he can use his e10k as dac and just buy an o2 amp. DAC upgrades are only making a minimal difference in sound quality imo.

 

[Solrighal]

G.I.G.O.

Headphones have the biggest impact on the character of the sound but the content is ultimately determined by the source.