[zwillmaster]

I have the audio technica ath-m40x and was wanting to get the best USB DAC to hook up to my phone with a otg adapter I also would wanna be able to use the DAC with the oppo pm3s when I get them

 

[PinkyPowers]

In that price range I would look at the Oppo HA-2. You should be able to find it for around $300.

 

[Oistein]

Not sure how much better the M40x's would sound with a DAC though. Seems a bit strange matching a 300$ DAC with 100$ headphones. Your mobile phone should be able to run the M40x's effortlessly.
 
A good rule of thumb I heard (which does not work for all price ranges) is to split the cost of your headphones between the DAC and the Amp. So buying a 100$ headphone it is not worth spending more than 100$ on the DAC/Amp. The M40x's are an excellent headphone and you would need to buy quite a lot more expensive headphones before needing a DAC/Amp.
 
If you are looking for an improvement I have heard that the ZMF cowleather pads really improves the comfort and slightly the sound of the M40x's.

 

[PinkyPowers]

It seems like he's more interested in setting himself up for the PM-3 when he gets it.

Still, I think it will improve the M40x too.

 

[Oistein]

Yeah maybe. I can barely hear any difference with my M50x's switching from my PC to my Chord Mojo. However with my SE846 it is night and day.
 
Personally I would go with something smaller for portable use like the monoprice usb dac which is basically the dragonfly red at half price https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15494. Can read more about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/55fmwf/the_monoprice_usb_dac_headphone_amp_15494_is_a/. Then you are left with enough money to get a proper home system like the Shiit stack.
 
..60$ - Monoprice usb dac (exact the same as red dragonfly)
..99$ - Magni 2
259$ - Modi 2 Multibit (A steal at it's price)
408$ - Total

 

[PinkyPowers]

The nice thing about a unit like the Oppo HA-2 is it has it's own battery. It won't drain the phone. If he has the money, this is a far better solution. Size is not a detriment here, as it stacks very nicely with a smartphone, and lies flat.

 

[zwillmaster]

Yeah maybe. I can barely hear any difference with my M50x's switching from my PC to my Chord Mojo. However with my SE846 it is night and day.

Personally I would go with something smaller for portable use like the monoprice usb dac which is basically the dragonfly red at half price https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15494. Can read more about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/55fmwf/the_monoprice_usb_dac_headphone_amp_15494_is_a/. Then you are left with enough money to get a proper home system like the Shiit stack.

..60$ - Monoprice usb dac (exact the same as red dragonfly)
..99$ - Magni 2
259$ - Modi 2 Multibit (A steal at it's price)
408$ - Total

OK I will check it out people have been saying the dragonfly red is better then the ha-2 I would just like to have something small enough to fit in my pocket I don't mine if its bulky and to be able to make my m40x's sound as natural as possible while still being somewhat portable and then be able to do the same with the same with the pm3s when I get them. Im sure I don't need a standalone amp as well because they are both low independence also I want to change my pads on my m40xs but I don't wanna make it not flat is their any pads that will keep its signature or make even flatter while making not hurt my head?

 

[zwillmaster]

The nice thing about a unit like the Oppo HA-2 is it has it's own battery. It won't drain the phone. If he has the money, this is a far better solution. Size is not a detriment here, as it stacks very nicely with a smartphone, and lies flat.

better then dragonfly red?

 

[zwillmaster]

Yeah maybe. I can barely hear any difference with my M50x's switching from my PC to my Chord Mojo. However with my SE846 it is night and day.

Personally I would go with something smaller for portable use like the monoprice usb dac which is basically the dragonfly red at half price https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15494. Can read more about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/55fmwf/the_monoprice_usb_dac_headphone_amp_15494_is_a/. Then you are left with enough money to get a proper home system like the Shiit stack.

..60$ - Monoprice usb dac (exact the same as red dragonfly)
..99$ - Magni 2
259$ - Modi 2 Multibit (A steal at it's price)
408$ - Total

I have a denon surround sound it has very low distortion its natural enough for me XD

 

[PinkyPowers]

The Dragonfly 1.2 was my first DAC. I used it with the Samsung Galaxy S4. It sounded amazing. But it drains the battery like crazy. That's why I'd recommend the HA-2 over any of those Dragonfly-like solutions.

If you're plugging into a computer, then that's a different story. For $400 you can get some phenomenal devices. But for portability, and the need to stack it with a battery-powered source, the HA-2 is the better choice.

 

[zwillmaster]

Okay I think the ha-2 will be the one I get then thankyou