[ShibeSuchBass]

In a few days I will have my Galaxy S5. That is going to be my only source for my music while im not on my pc, even when I'm home I still use my phone to listen to music. I know it probably wont be the best to listen to straight out of, but Im sure it will be tons better than my current iPod Touch 4g. I use JVC HA-FX1X's as my only headphones... err... earphones, but tomorrow I will finally have my precious M-Audio Q40's, my first high end cans (high end for me), and hopefully not too later I will be getting Denon AH-C300's. Anyways, I want to get a mobile DAC or Amp to enhance the audio, but I dont know which would be what I want or even what models. I listen to dubstep. It is all very bass and sub bass heavy, has traditional instrument samples throughout and can often include vocals. I also listen to some hip hop/rap and trap, again, bass. I dont listen to your typical brostep that you may hear on TV or radio here in America, I listen to original dubstep and wonky dubstep which are pretty different. If it doesnt seem apparent yet, I am a basshead, I love my bass booming and impactful, but I dont want it taking over everything else like mids or having to sacrifice full bodied vocals, mids, and highs.Sorry if it seems im trying to shove my musical taste in your face, Im just trying to give you guys the best info for the best product suited for me.
Examples of what I listen to... http://bit.ly/1uIyPZo
http://bit.ly/1BNWrin
http://bit.ly/1p1QBC6
http://bit.ly/1pk3Yws
I also listen to ASMR a lot, so good binaural capability is needed. If the right channel is only being given sound, I only want the right side producing audio, but it doesnt have to be perfect with 0% going to the left. It also has to sound like the mic was right in your ear, because thats how asmr is recorded basically, with the two mics being treated like they are two ears. Example... http://www.audiocheck.net/Audio/audiocheck.net_binaural_knocking.mp3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKRkcQoN7jk

So, im not 100% sure what the difference is between a DAC and an Amp, im still researching and reading up here on HeadFi. So far, if i am right, a DAC (digital to analog converter) takes the digital audio like from an MP3 and converts it to analog soundwaves that are pushed out of headphones/speakers for us to hear, and an Amp boosts the audio level and improves it somewhat. The big part im stuck on is how they each improve the audio. For my purposes and goals above, im not sure which would be best for me to get, a mobile DAC or an Amp, or maybe they sell the two in one? I come here to ask for your guys' advice and some help. It would also be great to have a bass boost feature that I can adjust to off, on, and above. I remember I had been previously considering the Fiio E11, E10, some other E's and the Digizoid Z02. The new Digizoid Z0 FS would be nice to have, but at $200+, its too much for me.

Any help, feedback, advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance!

 

[JustinBieber]

The headphones you listed are very efficient and do not require an amp, and Apple devices like your iPod 4g actually have fairly good on board DACs already. Amps/DACs make subtle but notable differences in sound quality, but to be honest I don't think you really need one in your current situation. 
 
You are pretty much spot on with the difference between a DAC/amp BTW.

 

[ShibeSuchBass]

But with the GS5, if I really wanted something like a dac or amp, which should I get? An amp or dac or combo? I know they can really improve the subtleties in music, like clean up some noise and grain and a lot of people say they hear great improvements in bass which I am particularly fond of.

I really hate this iPod touch. I'm on it right now and I listened to the binaural test (linked the mp3 file in OP, check it out)... it again, is a horrible reproduction of binaural sound, if it can be called tht once you hear it on an itouch 4. It sounded like the knocks were in the middle of my head both times, as opposed to in or next your ears like its supposed to sound. I don't even have a sound card in my computer and it sounds way better in every aspect of audio compared to this iPod. I can only hope the GS5 will be like anything but this POS in my hands.

If Amps and DACs are almost the same like I described and you agreed with, why would someone choose one over the other? What are te advantages or specialties of each?

 

[JustinBieber]

Amp/DAC combo for your phone: Fiio E18, it supports Android and is <$200. It doesn't list GS5 as being supported (only GS4) but I did a quick Google search and people said it worked fine for them. 
 
I just played that knock test and you scared the living hell out of me, very convincing on my setup at least. I don't get the feeling it's in the middle. 
 
I mean, it depends a lot on personal opinion why someone would like X amp vs X. I like my Valhalla 2, it has a wider soundstage and warmer tone vs my Mini x a100 when I use my HD800s. But, it's not a huge difference. It's just getting that extra 5% improvement and another step closer to perfection. It's not a night and day difference. 

 

[ShibeSuchBass]

For my first amp, do you think it would be worth it to spend less and get an e6 or e11? Maybe a smaller place to start exploring?
Does it have to be made to support android devices? I don't see how the OS would have anything to do with it. I would believe that so long it supports USB, if its connected and audio is going through it, it would work. Its like keyboards... Some sellers try to rip you off by making you buy a more expensive model that "is certified supports Mac" even though any USB keyboard will work with a Mac... just a gimmic.

Lol, the first time I tried that test on my pc I looked to the side to see who was at my door. Did it sound like the knocks were outisde your head or right next to your ears? That's how it should be... unlike with my iPod touch 4g where it sounds like the knocks are so dull, recessed, inside in the middle of my skull, and overall ****ty.

 

[JustinBieber]

Yeah, it would probably be better to start off with something cheaper. And OS compatibility doesn't matter for the amp, but for the DAC Android is picky with USB audio and some phones need root/special music players/custom ROMs and Kernels to get them working right.
 
I recommend hooking up your iPod 4g via a LOD cable to avoid double amping, which increases noise.
 
Here is the cable:
 
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-L-Shaped-Line-Cable-iPhone/dp/B005N6ZAT2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411084044&sr=8-1&keywords=fiio+l9
 
Sounds fully out of your head, first from right side to left. I wasn't expecting that at all. If you like binaural check out Explorations in Space and Time: here's a free high res sampler pack of it (legal download link).
 
http://www.dcsltd.co.uk/music/sounds/explorations-in-space-and-time-chesky-records/