SRH840 Matrix mini-i or Udac-2

[steve33]

Hi,
 
I'm new to this forum but use it a lot of time to have opinion on DAC and headphones.
 
I have the Shure SRH840 that I use with my macbook for now, I listen to ALAC music with Itunes.
 
I know that the SRH840 can play without an amp but I think that using a DAC/AMP combo will improve the SQ, I'm I right? For now I hesitate between the uDAC-2 and the Matrix Mini-i. Do you think that the extra $$$ for the matrix mini-i is a good investment? I also read that the toslink out of the macbook is not that good and that use the M2tech Hiface to connect the macbook with the USB port to the Matrix mini-i is the way to go. Of course this setup is now about 500$ and I know that the udac-2 can do 24/96 with USB but I'm not sure if it's async, this setup is much less money and more simple but how about SQ. I'm also open to ideas about a better setup for about the same money as the matrix mini-i and I don't need something portable. On last question, is upgrading the DAC/AMP combo to more cash will significantly improve the SQ over what I plan?
 
Thanks
 
steve33

 

[steve33]

Title changed

 

[kboe]

The uDAC would be a great match sonically with the 840s.  

 

[steve33]

I read a lot more about the uDAC-2. It seem to be a nice DAC/AMP combo but the Matrix mini-i too receive good reviews and I often read that desktop stuff are usually better than portable stuff. Do you really think that the uDAC-2 can compete against the Matrix-mini-i?
 
steve33

 

[kboe]

With the 840s, absolutely.  And the uDAC isn't meant to be portable, but rather transportable.  It wouldn't work in a true portable rig, as it would have no power source to draw on.  So it only really works in a desktop situation where not only will it be tethered to the computer by its USB interface, but also drawing power from that interface.   

 

[steve33]

I'm a little skeptical at how can a so little thing (uDac-2) can sound as good as a Matrix mini-i or another bigger DAC. There a lot of electronic parts in the bigger DAC so how can they make a so little DAC sound as good as a desktop one? And some users change some parts in the desktop DAC for better ones to make their DAC sound even better. There something I don't understand. 
 
steve33