will adding Headphone amp to rme adi 2dac significantly increase sound quality?

[marantzaux1212]

I currently have rme adi 2 dac and feel like its headphone amps is lacking overall compare to its dac quality. Will adding headphone amps price range under $300 dramatically increase its overall sound quality? If it does how do you actually connect headphone amps to rme adi 2 dac?

 

[techboy]

I currently have rme adi 2 dac and feel like its headphone amps is lacking overall compare to its dac quality. Will adding headphone amps price range under $300 dramatically increase its overall sound quality? If it does how do you actually connect headphone amps to rme adi 2 dac?

Honestly, it’s very likely you might be happier with a much much cheaper Multibit/NOS DAC and a good budget head amp.

RME is supposed to be like Benchmark from what I’ve seen people discuss. It measures nice. But isn’t the best sounding DAC.

 

[buke9]

Honestly, it’s very likely you might be happier with a much much cheaper Multibit/NOS DAC and a good budget head amp.

RME is supposed to be like Benchmark from what I’ve seen people discuss. It measures nice. But isn’t the best sounding DAC.

So you don’t know ? Have you heard both the RME and Benchmarks back to back ? It’s best that people don’t speculate on how something sounds and also how condescending that they might like a cheaper Multibit dac as it is somehow inferior.

 

[Mightygrey]

Significantly? Probably 'no'. Of course, this depends entirely on which headphones you're using. What are you using, and what areas do you think this combination is 'lacking' in currently?

 

[techboy]

So you don’t know ? Have you heard both the RME and Benchmarks back to back ? It’s best that people don’t speculate on how something sounds and also how condescending that they might like a cheaper Multibit dac as it is somehow inferior.

Benchmark yes. It’s not great. Probably not even as good as a Modi 3 or about the same. And have heard other expensive DS dacs, they don’t hold a candle to MB.

 

[Roseval]

how do you actually connect headphone amps to rme adi 2 dac?

To the line out of the DAC

If you are not running out of power, I don't think an additional amp will help you.
As you are adding another box, you will add some extra distortion.

 

[KPzypher]

Benchmark yes. It’s not great. Probably not even as good as a Modi 3 or about the same. And have heard other expensive DS dacs, they don’t hold a candle to MB.

We should all respect each other's opinions but shouldn't confuse people with baseless claims, nor facts with personal preference or bias.

I'm not arguing what people hear, but if you can't back it up with some hard evidence or empirical data, you should probably keep your statement as "your opinion."

Your ears and your perception of hearing is the ultimate truth, but only to you. And when you expand that boundary, it becomes meaningless.

But hey, this forum is full of misinformation, so what's another bad info right?

 

[marantzaux1212]

Significantly? Probably 'no'. Of course, this depends entirely on which headphones you're using. What are you using, and what areas do you think this combination is 'lacking' in currently?

Im using hd650 and it feels like im not hearing all the little details. In order me to hear those little details, I need to increase the volume really high or really focus on those little sounds i dont hear, But If i increase the volume high it hurts my ears but i hear all the little details, If i decrease it the volume sound is just right but its really hard to listen to those little instruments. Im not sure if this is normal or is this due to weak headphone amps on rme adi 2 dac?

 

[marantzaux1212]

To the line out of the DAC

If you are not running out of power, I don't think an additional amp will help you.
As you are adding another box, you will add some extra distortion.

Im using hd 650 and just bought external spsl sp200 headphone amp. I will see if this helps this or not.

 

[Giru]

Im using hd650 and it feels like im not hearing all the little details. In order me to hear those little details, I need to increase the volume really high or really focus on those little sounds i dont hear, But If i increase the volume high it hurts my ears but i hear all the little details, If i decrease it the volume sound is just right but its really hard to listen to those little instruments. Im not sure if this is normal or is this due to weak headphone amps on rme adi 2 dac?

Yes you may notice some improvement with a good dedicated external amp. Audition a few amps if possible. The RME is a small unit, shouldn't be difficult to lug along for a listen.
The 650 really scale well to good amplification.

Edit: Okay so you got an amp already. Great. Let us know your observations. Cheers!

 

[marantzaux1212]

My budget is already to max so I ordered smsl sp200 which is under $300. I will give it a try and see if this helps or not.

edit : Im also using two balanced xlr 3pin cables to connect to rme adi 2 dac.

 

[marantzaux1212]

Yes you may notice some improvement with a good dedicated external amp. Audition a few amps if possible. The RME is a small unit, shouldn't be difficult to lug along for a listen.
The 650 really scale well to good amplification.

Edit: Okay so you got an amp already. Great. Let us know your observations. Cheers!

My budget is already to max so I ordered smsl sp200 which is under $300. I will give it a try and see if this helps or not.

edit : Im also using two balanced xlr 3pin cables to connect to rme adi 2 dac. Thanks for the reply!

 

[buke9]

Benchmark yes. It’s not great. Probably not even as good as a Modi 3 or about the same. And have heard other expensive DS dacs, they don’t hold a candle to MB.

Well we will just have to agree to disagree as I think the Benchmark gear is very solid and would definitely pick it over the Magni but that is me.

 

[Elseis66]

My budget is already to max so I ordered smsl sp200 which is under $300. I will give it a try and see if this helps or not.

edit : Im also using two balanced xlr 3pin cables to connect to rme adi 2 dac. Thanks for the reply!

How did it go? I'm looking to get myself a RME ADI-2 DAC and the same headphones in the near future (next 60 days).

What kind of music are you listening to? What type of details are you missing in the music?

 

[elisiX]

I run the V281 off my RME and it’s great for Utopia and Empyrean.

It’s better than the RME in its own as well as the RME with my recently sold Audio GD D28.38.

I do believe an external amp helps.