Upgrading hardware around the Scarlett 2i2 (Headphone Amp, DAC, Splitter). Hookup questions and Advice.

[Yawnny]

Hey all,
 
I currently have a Scarlett 2i2 Audio interface and use it to drive my Shure SRH840 and Senheisser HD 555 cans. The cans certianly get loud enough with the 10 Ohm impedance of the 2i2 but I have the itch that the quality could be better with a separate amp.
 
I've been doing some research and used the 1/8th rule read about via NwAvGuy. 
 
Citation:
 To minimize all three of the above problems, it’s only necessary to keep the output impedance less than 1/8th the headphone impedance. Or, put another way, just divide the headphone impedance by 8 to get the maximum output impedance without potential audible degradation.
 
The Shure SRH840's have an impedance of 44 Ohms
 
44 / 8 = 5.5
 
5.5 is lower than the output impedance of the Scarlett 2i2 so I feel like technically there's some better quality to squeeze out of these cans. Especially considering the following:
 
To Cite NwAvGuy again:
As output impedance increases electrical damping is reduced. The bass performance of the headphones, as designed by the manufacture, may be audibly compromised if there’s insufficient damping. The bass might become more “boomy” and less controlled. The transient response becomes worse and the deep bass performance is compromised (the headphones will roll off sooner at low frequencies). A few, such as those who like a very warm “tube like” sound, might enjoy this sort of under damped bass. But it’s almost always less accurate compared to using a low impedance source.
 
Now with all of this exposition out of the way lets get to my actual questions. I have several all having to do with upgrading hardware around my Scarlett 2i2.
 
How do I connect a separate headphone amp to the Scarlett 2i2?
The headphone amp I'm considering is the Schiit Magni 2 (http://schiit.com/products/magni-2).
 
I currently have my Yorkville YSM6 studio monitors connected to the 2i2 so I'm thinking to keep these plugged in I would have to buy a splitter such as the Coleman Audio LS3 Line Selector. 
 
My current understanding is that I would have to run the L/R Line Outputs from the 2i2 to the L/R Out of the line selector, and the headphone amp and monitors into the L/R Inputs of the line selector? Do I have this right so far?
 
Would hooking the amp up this way bypass the headphone amp in the 2i2 like I want it to? Would the DAC of the 2i2 be holding me back in this case and would the line selector introduce any chunk of signal degradation? I know that's a spatter of questions there, but any insight is appreciated, whether someone bullet-point answers everything here or not.
 
This leads to my second related inquiry: 
Is it worth it to buy a better DAC in this case?
 
I do podcast type recording with my Shure SM58 so I would still be using my Scarlett 2i2 for the XLR inputs. I've already invested in the 2i2 a year ago so I'm fine if it just becomes a recording interface and no longer used as a DAC or headphone amp, I'm just curious if a new DAC like the Schiit Modi 2 would improve things.
 
I've got a decent chunk of change after a Christmas bonus so I was eyeing up something like the Schiit Ragnarok if a DAC was out of the question (I love how you can drive passive speakers with it!).
 
My third inquiry is regarding the Scarlett 2i2's 'Direct Monitor' feature.
Would Direct Monitor still work with a separate amp in the chain?
 
I love how you can enable this and hear 1:1 monitoring of the input source (my Shure SM58 XLR mic in this csae). This is great when podcasting and other voice recording as hearing myself helps me keep my voice at a reasonable level when wearing closed back headphones.
 
I've heard this feature is still possible if one incorporates a mixer, but that adds another layer of complexity to it all so I'm not sure that's the route I want to take.. 
 
In my mind the Direct Monitor feature would get routed through the L/R output on the back, which is going to the Line Selector, which is going to my headphone amp or my studio monitors. Is my understanding correct on this one?
 
I keep overthinking how this setup would be and would certainly appreciate some input!!
 
Happy to be a part of the Head-Fi community!

 

[PurpleAngel]

The 10-Ohm output impedance of the 2i2's headphone jack is not a big deal.
For really improving audio quality, buy better headphones.
 
A Bravo Ocean tube (hybrid) headphone amplifier ($80) might add a colorful tweak to tour current headphone sound.
The Bravo comes with a separate line-output (RCA).
So connect the Bravo to the 2i2's line-output and both the studio monitors and headphones to the Bravo. 

 

[Yawnny]

I've actually had the Bravo Ocean tube in my Amazon wish list for a quite a while so I'm happy to see it brought up. (Although in CAD it's $160.00).
 
With the studio monitors plugged in to the ocean amp does this take over the Scarlett providing power to the monitors? The Scarlett would still be the DAC, just feeding the signal - and amping - the monitors + headphones, correct?
 
I suppose in this case I could consider the Magni 2 Uber which also has two RCA out. Am I correct in understanding that going from 1/4 TRS to RCA causes the signal to go from Balanced to Unbalanced? Does this cause any quality degradation at all?
 
With either the Magni 2 Uber or Bravo Ocean Tube hooked up this way should I presume that this will cause the Direct Monitor feature of the Scarlett to no longer work? I keep flip-flopping back and forth on this one.
 
I appreciate the advice!

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I've actually had the Bravo Ocean tube in my Amazon wish list for a quite a while so I'm happy to see it brought up. (Although in CAD it's $160.00).
 
With the studio monitors plugged in to the ocean amp does this take over the Scarlett providing power to the monitors? The Scarlett would still be the DAC, just feeding the signal - and amping - the monitors + headphones, correct?
 
I suppose in this case I could consider the Magni 2 Uber which also has two RCA out. Am I correct in understanding that going from 1/4 TRS to RCA causes the signal to go from Balanced to Unbalanced? Does this cause any quality degradation at all?
 
With either the Magni 2 Uber or Bravo Ocean Tube hooked up this way should I presume that this will cause the Direct Monitor feature of the Scarlett to no longer work? I keep flip-flopping back and forth on this one.
 
I appreciate the advice!

 
Ordering the Bravo Ocean from China is $107 CAD, with free shipping.
The Magni 2 Uber is 200 CAD, plus shipping.
 Canada import tax?
The Scarlett is not providing any power to the studio monitors, the Scarlett is sending an analog audio signal.
The Scarlett would be providing the DAC function for both the studio monitors and the headphone (thru which ever head amp you get).
I'm not the expert on balanced connections, but I doubt you would notice any difference between balanced and un-balanced connection.
I have no idea on what the direct monitor function is (on the Scarlett).

 

[Yawnny]

 
...I have no idea on what the direct monitor function is (on the Scarlett).

 
The Direct Monitor function allows you to hear your input signal (ie: Microphone) 1:1 as you talk.
 
The following is a snippet from their guide:
 
A Direct Monitoring feature lets you hear what you are playing without the effects of computer latency.
 
Using Direct Monitoring:

You will frequently hear the term “latency” used in connection with digital audio systems. In the case of the simple DAW recording application described above, latency will be the time it takes for your input signals to pass through your computer and audio software. Latency can be a problem for a performer who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals.

The Scarlett 2i2 is fitted with a “Direct Monitoring” option, which overcomes this problem.
 
Setting the front panel “Direct Monitor” switch to ON will route your input signals directly to the Scarlett 2i2’s headphone and main monitor outputs. This enables you to hear yourself with zero
latency – i.e., in “real time” – along with the computer playback. The input signals to your computer are not affected in any way by this setting.
 
 
Based on their explanation, especially the  "...will route your input signals directly to the Scarlett 2i2’s headphone and main monitor outputs." part, it sounds promising that it would go through the amp and thus the monitors and headphones. If I am understanding correctly that the signal from the main monitor outputs on the back of the 2i2 are what's going through the amp.
 
From your experience would you presume something similar given their explanation? (Don't worry, I'm not going to hold you liable!!)

 

[PurpleAngel]

  The Direct Monitor function allows you to hear your input signal (ie: Microphone) 1:1 as you talk.
The following is a snippet from their guide:
A Direct Monitoring feature lets you hear what you are playing without the effects of computer latency.
Using Direct Monitoring:
You will frequently hear the term “latency” used in connection with digital audio systems. In the case of the simple DAW recording application described above, latency will be the time it takes for your input signals to pass through your computer and audio software. Latency can be a problem for a performer who wishes to record while monitoring their input signals.
The Scarlett 2i2 is fitted with a “Direct Monitoring” option, which overcomes this problem.
Setting the front panel “Direct Monitor” switch to ON will route your input signals directly to the Scarlett 2i2’s headphone and main monitor outputs. This enables you to hear yourself with zero
latency – i.e., in “real time” – along with the computer playback. The input signals to your computer are not affected in any way by this setting.
Based on their explanation, especially the  "...will route your input signals directly to the Scarlett 2i2’s headphone and main monitor outputs." part, it sounds promising that it would go through the amp and thus the monitors and headphones. If I am understanding correctly that the signal from the main monitor outputs on the back of the 2i2 are what's going through the amp.
From your experience would you presume something similar given their explanation? (Don't worry, I'm not going to hold you liable!!)

 
Main monitor outputs would seem to the the line-output jacks, on the back of the Scarlett.
So the Direct Monitor function should work with whatever is connected to the 2i2's line-output.

 

[Yawnny]

Well, I certainly feel like I'm on a more focused track!
 
When do people usually decide that it's time to upgrade their DAC? Do they usually feel like the quality isn't quite up to snuff and would actually warrant an upgrade?
 
From what I've been hearing it sounds like the Scarlettt 2i2 or 2i4 are very adequate DAC's, but I'll admit I have a bit of "upgradeitis" but don't want to get too carried away if it's going to be a negligible upgrade.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Well, I certainly feel like I'm on a more focused track!
When do people usually decide that it's time to upgrade their DAC? Do they usually feel like the quality isn't quite up to snuff and would actually warrant an upgrade?
From what I've been hearing it sounds like the Scarlettt 2i2 or 2i4 are very adequate DAC's, but I'll admit I have a bit of "upgradeitis" but don't want to get too carried away if it's going to be a negligible upgrade.

 
While motherboard audio seems to improve every few years.
Motherboard makers need to save on their pennies when it comes to on-board audio costs.
 
Audio Interface is going to be used by someone a little more serious about audio quality,
so if the audio quality is not at least decent, no one will buy them.

 

[Yawnny]

Great way of putting it in to perspective. 
 
I'll keep saving up for a new pair of headphones and then consider the amp. I feel much better getting after having this discussion.
 
Thanks!