Want to improve sound at work

[davidsh]

The magni/vdac works fine with the momentum. Will probably work the best if you ever want to upgrade to planars for example.

 

[ekjellgren]

A portable unit just to support the listening out of Office is overkill?

 

[davidsh]

A portable unit just to support the listening out of Office is overkill?

I guess only you know that. I doubt the difference between magni and e12 will be major at all, except with hard to drive cans perhaps.

 

[ekjellgren]

Question is then if I should try to bypass the iPhone Dac with something like E07k or is that too much of a compromise and worse sq than the Magni?

 

[cel4145]

The Magni is definitely a better headphone amp than in the E07K.

I'm not an Apple person, but I don't believe you can bypass the iPhone 5 DAC very easily. With iPhone 5, you need to look into lightning adapters, and I think DACs that connect to the iPhone are specialized items that have to pay Apple a licensing fee. In other words, get ready to spend some money.

 

[davidsh]

If it's an iphone 5 as source (?), how are you even going to use any of the mentioned products?

 

[Brooko]

Which is why I originally mentioned the A200p. It's the only unit so far mentioned that is both amp and dac and can be used natively with the iPhone5 + stand alone as a USB amp/dac for PC/lap-top. If you get the US version it'll even drive up to 600ohm cans.

 

[cel4145]

If it's an iphone 5 as source (?), how are you even going to use any of the mentioned products?

The OP also has a laptop. I think the best option might be to explore the iBasso DX50, FiiO X3, and FiiO X5 if a portable solution is a must, too.

 

[cel4145]

Which is why I originally mentioned the A200p. It's the only unit so far mentioned that is both amp and dac and can be used natively with the iPhone5 + stand alone as a USB amp/dac for PC/lap-top. If you get the US version it'll even drive up to 600ohm cans.

That's good to know. So Beyer paid the licensing fees.

 

[Brooko]

Yep. Comes with a lightning cable and everything.

 

[ekjellgren]

How would you think the Meridian Explorer, HRT microstreamer and Audioquest Dragonfly 1.2 would compare to the V-DAC/Magni combo (knowing that I compare different segments)?

 

[cel4145]

How would you think the Meridian Explorer, HRT microstreamer and Audioquest Dragonfly 1.2 would compare to the V-DAC/Magni combo (knowing that I compare different segments)?

I don't think they would in terms of headphone amps. Fairly powerful desktop amp that requires AC power vs. USB powered devices.

I have no idea about the DAC components.

 

[ekjellgren]

Looks like I'm getting the Magni. Or maybe the Vali?

 

[cel4145]

Looks like I'm getting the Magni. Or maybe the Vali?

If you know you like the tube sound better or just want to try it. I don't personally prefer hybrid solid state tube amps over comparable solid state amps. Some people like that; some don't. Often not the same as the full tube sound from OTL amps. Also, you can'd do any tube rolling with the Vali. The Magni also seems to have a big more power.

 

[ekjellgren]

Looks like I'm getting the Magni. Or maybe the Vali?

If you know you like the tube sound better or just want to try it. I don't personally prefer hybrid solid state tube amps over comparable solid state amps. Some people like that; some don't. Often not the same as the full tube sound from OTL amps. Also, you can'd do any tube rolling with the Vali. The Magni also seems to have a big more power.

Very greatful for all your answers!