What Should I Upgrade - DAC or Amp or Headphone?

[sunwoo1213]

Currently I Own

E-MU 0204 as DAC
Objective2 as Amp
AKG Q701 as Headphone
Bose Companion 2 As Speaker

I don't have a big space for speaker, so I'm planning to upgrade DAC,AMP, or Headphone.

I guessed I'm pleased with O2, so maybe my target will be DAC or Headphone.

For Heaphone, STAX Lambda or Audeze LCD-2 is in mh wishlist, and I have Cambridge DACMagic 100 for DAC.

So What should I Upgrade, DAC or Headphone? And any other recommendations?

 

[thewatcher101]

I would go with amp first, unless you don't like the sound signature of the AKG, but in the end you have to try a few set up if you are looking for a particular sound. Usually the headphones need to find a good match with amp and dac.

 

[cel4145]

You already have a DAC. The O2 will drive most headphones well. Go with the conventional wisdom of upgrading the headphones before the electronics.

 

[buke9]

I had a 0404 and the DAC is pretty good. The O2 is a pretty good amp so... The Stax will need a totally different amp if you weren't aware of that .

 

[Music Alchemist]

Upgrading to STAX is the best option in my opinion, but yes, you will also need amplification for it: either an electrostatic headphone amplifier or an electrostatic converter powered by a speaker amp. If you get the original SR-Lambda, you will need an amp (or converter, aka adapter, transformer, or energizer) with Normal bias outputs. (Modern STAX are PRO bias.)

 

[buke9]

I knew when Stax's was mentioned you would be right there. ; )