[robertjwarren]

Hi all you experts out there!
 
Current system:
 
Hp 6910p laptop
Win XP
USB -> Fubar III dac/amp with upgraded chip + Power Supplier
AKG K 701
MediaMonkey
 
OK so I have about $450 invested in the Fubar III + power supplier.  I like the sound of the 701's and want to keep them.
 
The laptop has USB, firewire, and ethernet connections.
 
What I want to do is to move up to a 96/24 dac and amp.  My combined budget is $600-800 depending upon whether equip is new or used.
 
After some research here are the candidates in no particular order.  I think all of these can handle USB in, 96/24 files, and have a headphone amp
 
Cetrance DAC mini
Cetrance DAC port
Furutech GT
Headroom Desktop Amp
Fubar IV (only 24/48 via usb)
NuForce icon 2
NuForce udac
Benchmark DAC 1 usb
PS Audio GCHA
 
Comments and suggestions are requested and welcomed.
 

 

[tim3320070]

I would also look at the Audio-gd NFB10SE and make your K701 balanced. Handles 24/96 via USB. My 2 cents is that 24/96 material is much less important than the original quality of the recording. 16/44.1 well recorded is still a thousand times better than a poorly recorded 24/96 in my experience.

 

[robertjwarren]

ok will research that one but chinese audio sometimes gives me pause.  What is process for getting the 701's modded to balanced?

 

[tim3320070]

You can buy the kit from AGD. It provides the pieces you need. All you would need it a solder gun and a multimeter (costs about $15-20). It's simple. Kingwa is a good bet among Chinese vendors.
Do a search for reterminating to balanced.