[compuryan]

My current setup is in my sig and I cannot decide what is lacking more, my DAC or my amplifier. I am going to a meet on Saturday so I'll hopefully be able to hear my cans through some different amps and DACs.

Either DAC or amplifier, my budget will probably be somewhere between $200 and $300.

A used Eddie Current EC/SS and the modded DAC-AH have both already come to mind and I can't wait to hear them.

If I go for a new amp, I will have a little more money because I will be able to get quite a bit more from my special little lunchbox (see link in sig) than my entech dac.

[size=large]So what next? Amp or Dac?[/size]

thanks (in advance) for you time and advice

 

[xenithon]

Have you considered one of the DAC/amp combos likes the Meier Corda Aria?

I think though that perhaps an amp upgrade would be more beneficial. The HD650s sure like some juice driving them.

 

[compuryan]

I would be concerned that the built in DAC might not be as effective as a standalone DAC. But I've never heard it so I can't really speculate. Not to mention, the Aria is USB and I like using the digital output on my xfi. I've been told that coaxial sounds best.

I like the idea of getting a new amp first. Then I could get the enjoyment of using a better amp with my record player, which I dearly love, whereas a new DAC wouldn't really effect that setup. And as far as amps go, I might also be looking at a Darkvoice 336.

 

[vcoheda]

go to the meet and listen to as much stuff as possible, esp. items that reasonably fit within your budget.

 

[rb67]

Personally I'd go for an amp. You are likely to hear a greater improvement going from a lunchbox to something better than you are going from an entech, which is quite nice already.

I'd definitely check out the meet first though.

 

[Dan Millheim]

AMP first then external DAC.

 

[Omom]

..also voting for amplifier

 

[Icarium]

Eh. I think the Lunchbox is a better value for the buck than the entech so I vote DAC first.

 

[compuryan]

I went to a mini meet today where I listened to a Lite DAC-AH (stock) on my setup and it sounded excellent. I think I'm gonna order one. I might mod it in the future, but it already sounded really good stock compared to the entech.