Tight budget, is a DAC/Amp the way to go?

[gorgnut]

Hey there,
so I'm finally going to upgrade from my Senn HD570 without an amp running directly on a Audigy 2, to the AKG K601 with somewhat of a proper amp and dac. This will strictly be a home rig, so i would really like to run it on a DC input.

I've been looking around alot, trying to figure out which amp and dac is the way to go. First I looked at the EMU 0404 USB, which probably is a very nice DAC, but I'm a little worried about the built in amp not having power enough to drive the headphones.
I also looked at the iBasso D1 (aswell as the upcoming D2).

Budget is somewhere around $200-250 for the DAC and the amp (kinda tight huh?)

Thanks!

 

[milkweg]

On that budget I would still go with EMU0404 and get a better amp later on. There si a lengthy post on here somewhere from a person with Sennheiser HD650's and he really liked the DAC/Amp in the EMU0404 even compared to a $2000.00 DAC and those headphones are not the easiest to drive either. I have EMU0404 and use them with HD595 and they have plenty of headroom to drive those but my other amp gives more bass response.

Only other thing I can suggest is to check out Pacific Valve offerings of DAC's as I know there is one or two there that have amps in them and the prices are good.

Pacific Valve & Electric Company Home Page

I was going to buy the Musiland MD 10 before I bought the EMU but in the end I decided to get the EMU as it was easier for me to get up here in Canada and lots of poeple like EMU0404 to drive their headphones. This Musiland DAC has ClassA headphone amp too but don't know how it compares to the one in the EMU 0404.

Pacific Valve DIYEDEN Musiland MD 10

 

[ast]

I'd recommend stock Zhaolu 2.5, less than $200, great DAC, very decent and powerful built-in amp. You can always mod it (by Ori) later on if you feel like to upgrade.

 

[captainbrendo]

I think you're on the right track with the iBasso. What about the Headphonia lyrix? Both of these have great electonics. There's another one that pretty good but I don't remember what the name was, sorry!

 

[boomana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shopper /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes. I suggest the Yulong DAC/AMP (see recent thread) or the Zero.

1. You've never heard the Yulong, and that very short-lived thread was deleted for being an advertisement posted by the manufacturer.

2. Per your own posts, you do not have a Zero, but have only ordered one and received email confirmation two days ago. You have zero experience with the Zero.

So, why do you keep showing up in threads on a daily basis, where people are looking for knowledgeable advice, and start spouting recommendations for products or commenting on others you know nothing about? As far as I know, you've only had a Xenos. Since I may have missed something, why don't you tell us all now what amps you've actually owned or know well enough to comment on, through hours of listening, so people will know how to weigh your advice, since you insist on posting as if you've heard everything you talk about.

btw, it's perfectly fine to point someone in the direction of a product you've not heard by qualifying your comments, but that's not what you do. Please be more respectful of members seeking information and help.

@op, I'd suggest doing a search and looking for impression threads and comments by people who have at least heard or had in their possession the products they're talking about.

 

[Happy Camper]

Thus the name BOOMana.

It is important to qualify your comments. If you are doing homework on a piece thats suggested, share your knowledge but let us know that. (looking over my shoulders to see where I've done similar)

As cynical as it sounds, protocol is necessary to improve the content.

 

[boomana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shopper /img/forum/go_quote.gif I continue to suggest the YULONG and the Zero, because I'm convinced that they're worth it. You sound a little cynical. I'm VERY sorry that that thread was deleted...

Well, this post may be deleted, but after bumping into you in too many threads this month and realizing you're posting through your behind in every one, and giving misleading and/or bad advice, I'm willing to take a slap on the wrist from the mods in order to expose your nonsense.

How do you know they're worth it? YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! Why not list all the opamps you've heard (not just read about in Audio Asylum threads) and evaluated personally while you're at it, since you like posting about those as well. So, you have knowledge of basic circuitry and electronics. So what. Many people on this forum do. The difference is that they use it to help people understand what they're buying, and respect the limitations of that knowledge when they've not heard (this is audio after all) a product. You use limited understanding to pretend knowledge you don't possess and recommend or dismiss products in blanket statements without qualifying your experience or explaining your opinions. What arrogance!

Again, please list the amps you have owned, have had at least a couple hours of experience with, or have built yourself. And since you purport to understand builds, why not post up some pictures of your builds in the DIY forum.

I'm not cynical, btw. I'm pissed off at a very few people who seemingly want to degrade a wonderful forum with ego serving posts disguised as advice. Why not just say, I read about a product you might want to check out? That's being responsible and respectful. It's not hard. Try it sometime.

Back on topic: DIY choices may be a way to get what you need. Although, I've never heard this combo, a friend of mine with years of experience with high-end gear, is currently talking about a Mister X Alien dac along with a Rockhopper mini^3 combo (Mister X also builds mini^3s). I have the mini^3, and am very impressed with it's sq for $125. You might want to go into the source forum and search out threads on that dac, or even the DIY forum. There's quite a bit on the mini^3 around here as well.

 

[rhythmdevils]

yeah, i would go for used DIY projects as well. Right now, in the FS forum, there is a MisterX dac/amp combo. Go for that, right now! Used DIY equipment can be a great deal. Of course, it doesnt look as snazzy, and you dont get customer service, or warranty. But who cares about that stuff anyways?

 

[boomana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmdevils /img/forum/go_quote.gif yeah, i would go for used DIY projects as well. Right now, in the FS forum, there is a MisterX dac/amp combo. Go for that, right now! Used DIY equipment can be a great deal. Of course, it doesnt look as snazzy, and you dont get customer service, or warranty. But who cares about that stuff anyways?

DIYers like Mister X and Thrice (Rockhopper) are known for their quality work and standing by their builds, build-time, shipping, etc. I wouldn't worry about customer service or help if there's a problem with either of them.

 

[rhythmdevils]

here ya go
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f42/fs...-hpdac-277095/

I have no idea what it's sound signature is like, so I dont know if it will synergize with your gear. But I can say that it's definitely going to be great "bang for buck"

 

[shaizada]

Hec with the budget. Don't buy right now. Keep saving till you have enough for the Pico or Predator. Pick your poison and feel good that you waited for something better than what you would have gotten.

Sorry, I just had to put in that somethings are worth waiting for. Suffer the headphone out of whatever you have right now till you have enough for either of the above Dac/Amps.

You'll be so much happier.

~G

 

[boomana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shopper /img/forum/go_quote.gif When you have some experience in hi-fi things (which I do as I have been an amateur for years and years and have acquired all my knowledge directly on the battleground, meaning audio electronics), you only need an eyesight to realize what stuff is probably good or very good, and what probably not so good. That's the point we were at here; it's entirely out of place to complain so harshly. I don't see any arrogance in suggesting (be it DACs or opamps or what have you). If the OP wanted clarification he might just have kindly asked. Now please stop bothering me. P.S. Of course you don't have to take my (or anyone's) posts as a divine revelation. Let's not take ourseves too seriously, after all we're just having fun (so it used to be).

Excellent. Then you have the ability to be helpful. I have DIY friends that can tell a lot about an amp or dac's capabilities by only looking at the circuit, components, or reading specs. I've got zero problem with you posting recommendations based on your knowledge of that, but please state that you're working only from a seeing or reading perspective if that's the case. And why not help us by stating why you think a certain amp/dac would be good or not rather than just saying, "I suggest X," especially if you're basing your recommendations only on what you read rather than have heard. Since you have an electronics background, that should be easy.

I still would like clarification on which headphone amps you've owned or built. It would help me understand where you're coming from and the experience you've had "in the battlefield." I'm not picking on you. I always read someone's profile if I'm considering their advice. Yours isn't filled out and you have yet to answer specifically other than to say you've had the Xenos and mention "other amps." Which ones?

 

[tjumper78]

i just got DIYEDEN SVDAC04 USB DAC from pacific valve. $140+shipping.
does DAC job very well but the built-in amp isnt much impressive at all.

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorgnut /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey there, so I'm finally going to upgrade from my Senn HD570 without an amp running directly on a Audigy 2, to the AKG K601 with somewhat of a proper amp and dac. This will strictly be a home rig, so i would really like to run it on a DC input. I've been looking around alot, trying to figure out which amp and dac is the way to go. First I looked at the EMU 0404 USB, which probably is a very nice DAC, but I'm a little worried about the built in amp not having power enough to drive the headphones. I also looked at the iBasso D1 (aswell as the upcoming D2). Budget is somewhere around $200-250 for the DAC and the amp (kinda tight huh?) Thanks!

First, Happy Holidays to you and yours!

I would like to recommend the Zero DAC/Headphone Amp for your budget situation. I've had the Zero a while now and I have a review here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rev...re-amp-269458/ and many after thoughts follow the review. There are additional comments here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/zer...ac-amp-263482/

If I'm not mistaken, your Audigy 2 has digital coaxial out via the "flex-jack" on the card, so this would be pretty easy to work out. One thing for sure, it would keep your costs down and provide you with some upgrade options and additional system flexibilities too. Hope this helps some!

Good luck no matter what you choose!

 

[gorgnut]

Thanks for all the replies!
I wouldn't hesitate to save up more cash if I could, problem is I'm starting to study in January, and need the money for tuition.

I must say the Zero looks very attractive at that price! Ebay is the way to get those, right? Looks very much like a DAC a dude in the local hifi shop showed me. Also somekinda no-name thingie. It didn't have an amp though. Also remembered that it had misspelled "right" and "left" as "rout" and "lout"

Changing the op-amps on that thing, can it be done without soldering?

And sure, DIY stuff works, that MisterX dac/amp looks very nice as well.
Keep in mind though that it needs to be shipped to Sweden (some sellers only ship within US/CA).

Thanks again, and have a lovely holiday everyone!