What would help HD 598s the most! Opinions wanted!

[ColeTrain]

I am getting a pair for HD 598s for 200 this weekend and I have semi narrowed it down to these dac/amps. What would these benefit most from - O2/ODAC, Maverick Tubemagic D1, Audioengine D1, or Schitt modi/magni. I will be using these for gaming and music. Fairly even between the two. Would love some opinions!

 

[pbui44]

The hd598 are rated at 64 ohms, so if you are going to hook the dac to your computer, the audioengine d1 will work best for games and music. The D1 looks the best at working with PC/Mac interfaces, and the hd598s are easier to drive than those that need o2/odac and schiit m+m. The tubemagic d1 will make the already-warm hd598 a little too enveloping for anything.

 

[ColeTrain]

Is the d1 good for future purchases as well? Say I get a higher ohms headphones, 250-300? Would either of the others be better at future proofing?

 

[pbui44]

If you feel that gaming will stay in your future, stick with the audioengine d1, as gamers stick around 80 ohms. If you feel that you will move more towards music in your future (what I did), the o2+odac combo will work best, but will run more technically complicated for computer setups. The audioengine d1 will work best with soundcard special features.

 

[ColeTrain]

So the d1 has its own amp correct? Would I be better off getting a dedicated one or just the d1? Would I need anything else with my purchase or just d1 + headphones?

 

[pbui44]

The Audioengine does have its own amp, but it will work best up to 80 ohms, even if it is ads say it is optimized up to 300 ohms. If you have the money, audio gd has dacs with upgradeable opamp chip slots for future-proofing, which is something I had to rest over to think over. However, if you feel like those audio gd opamp-swappable dacs are still too far from your grasp, the o2+odac will work great for many years. A good way to look at this is get the audioengine d1 now and get an audio gd opamp-swappable dac later.

 

[ColeTrain]

I know this sounds newb but what is an opamp chip and what does it being upgrade able do?

 

[pbui44]

Opamp is short for operational amplifier. Opamp chips vary by their capability, so any questions you have at this point can be addressed through a class at your local community college or higher education institution.

Start with the hd598s and audioengine d1 and figure out this stuff later.