[razminr11]

I've got a pair of Anandas as an upgrade from my OG HE-400 (which sadly broke its headband, now hanging on with some superglue), and my current amp/DAC combo is a Fiio E17. Is there anything I can get for around $200-$400 that would be a significant upgrade from the E17?

Currently, I'm considering:

-JDS Labs Element II (b-stock to get the $50 off savings).

-Schiit Magni Heresy/Modi 3+ stack (I love the look of the Schiit stack, but I've heard some bad things about their QC relative to other options, such as headphones being blown out/damaged by the Magni 3+/Heresy.).

-JDS Labs Atom stack.

-Schiit Magnius/Modius stack.

-A Topping Amp/DAC stack (I'm not a big fan of the looks of the Topping Amps/DACs though, unfortunately).

-Liquid Spark amp plus another DAC (or using my E17 as a DAC).

-iFi Zen DAC and Zen CAN.

-A new amp with my E17 serving as the DAC.

-Anything you guys suggest that'd work well with the Anandas, and be an upgrade over my Fiio E17.

-Or just keeping the E17 and saving up for a higher-end/more expensive stack.

Ideally, I'd like to get a stack instead of a combo, cuz I eventually want to venture into the world of tube amps. Plus, adding a hardware EQ like the Loki would be easier with a separate Amp and DAC.

Thanks!

 

[pbui44]

If you need a DAC/amp with battery, look at this model:

https://www.kitsunehifi.com/product/ifi-micro-idsd-black-label/

If a plug-in DAC/amp is fine with you, then check out the Schiit Modius/Magnius stack:

https://www.schiit.com/products/magnius

https://www.schiit.com/products/modius

Also, some XLR interconnects and XLR Ananda cable:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KO8VY4O/ref=psdcmw_11973421_t2_B0824D4BFQ?th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/NewFantasia-...ywords=xlr+ananda+cable&qid=1614566532&sr=8-4

 

[CoryGillmore]

The Schiit Modius/Magnius stack is hard to beat for $400 all in. Impossible to beat IMO.

 

[aznablerey]

I wouldn’t worry too much about powering them, rather focus on a clean noise floor. They are super easy to drive, and the Fiio would power them just fine. I don’t know how they are in terms of background. I have an Elac ea101eq amp with a headphone out that is a little on the noisy side, so much so that if I connect my as-easy-to-power Sivga Phoenix, I can hear a hiss. I’m waiting on my Ananda to arrive but I suspect a similar thing will happen.

 

[Telin]

The Schiit Modius/Magnius stack is hard to beat for $400 all in. Impossible to beat IMO.

If you go balanced all thew way yes.
Multiple people report that the SE output of the Magnius is not topnotch.

 

[529128]

Get either the Modi/Magni, Atom or Topping stack and stop worrying and enjoy the music. You will have plenty of power and a great sounding setup. Great sounding: clean, transparent.

You would have a hard time trying to distinguish between either if blindtesting. Most perceived differences can often be attributed to expected sound quality differences aka placebo.

 

[razminr11]

I actually ended up ordering a Magni 3+/Modi stack! I went with the original silver instead of the black/red of the Heresy cuz some day down the line I'd like to get a Vali to try out tubes, so best to get a matching stack from the get-go. But thanks for all the advice!

 

[CoryGillmore]

If you go balanced all thew way yes.
Multiple people report that the SE output of the Magnius is not topnotch.

Oh most definitely. But I wouldn’t buy that stack without running it full balanced. And honestly I think the SE on it is fine, it just doesn’t measure as well as the balanced out on paper.