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Apav
3
Dec 8, 2014
Is it better for me to get it at 10 ohms (stock) or 1 ohm output impedance? I have a Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm, and I plan on getting another pair of low impedance headphones (like 32 or 64 ohms) like the Fischer Audio FA-003Ti mainly for use on the go. But since I own both, when I'm home I will probably end up using both with this Amp/DAC. So one high impedance headphone, one low impedance headphone, which output impedance is best for both?
Also, I'm not sure if someone could give me a direct comparison here, but how does the DACmini compare to the Sound Blaster ZXR sound card? That is what I use in my computer. It uses a Burr-Brown DAC and a 80mW TI TPA6120 amp.
Thank you!
RShack
180
Dec 9, 2014
ApavThe people from the company that makes it say that the impedance numbers you mention are not low enough to warrant the 1-ohm option... the basis for your choice should be your preference re: the sound profile. The 1-ohm is more neutral or clinical, while the 10-ohm is a bit warmer. The people who make it think most folks will like the 10-ohm sound better... which is why they made that the standard configuration.
HTvish
21
Dec 9, 2014
Apavaudio upgrades are very subjective, so the best way is to try it urself. I would say that it is a leap, used asus stx berfore (for reference), but that may be a total diff story for you. As for choosing 1 o r 10 ohms, 10 ohms should not be an issue as long as ur using sensitive and revealing iems like the se535, at least in my case...
Apav
3
Dec 9, 2014
HTvishThank you! I posted a question on another forum and I mentioned that I was getting this DAC/AMP, and few people told me not to get this one because $400 is "WAY too much." The popular DAC+Amps I know of are the Schiit Magni+Modi for $200, and the O2+ODAC for nearly $300. Are they saying that for $100 or $200 more, I won't notice a difference in the quality of the sound, and is that true? I was going to invest in a more expensive unit because I wanted something high quality at a good discount.
RShack
180
Dec 9, 2014
ApavNobody knows what you can and can't hear except you. Nobody can guarantee what differences you will and won't hear.
As for the devices themselves, the DACmini CX is *way* better than the ones your pals mentioned. Even at it's normal $800 price, all the reviewers say it punches well above it's weight. Getting a device like this for $400 is completely insane. Either your pals think you have lousy ears or else they just don't know any better.
Whoever told you it's not worth it, ask them how much they've listened to equipment of this caliber. Now, there's nothing wrong with the items they mentioned, they are perfectly good for being what they are... but what they are is not close to being in the same class as the CX. Their price vs. the CX's normal $800 price gives a better comparison of value than this $400 sale price does.
Apav
3
Dec 9, 2014
RShackYes what you're saying makes complete sense, I just don't know what to expect since I'm a beginner audiophile. These Beyers are the nicest headphones I have ever owned, but $200 is relatively cheap for audiophile headphones. I don't know if the audio fidelity ceiling is lower for these headphones, meaning I don't know if they'll be a bottleneck for high end equipment like this DAC/Amp where more expensive headphones will shine. He said if I have that money to spend I should invest in better headphones first (which I was planning to do anyway). While I'm not taking his word for it, I do like to ask for second opinions because even though I'm learning more each day, it's hard to understand comparisons when you haven't had much hands on experience.
Edit: I asked them why they say that, and this is what they had to say. Cutting parts of their post here. "The dac mini cx has been around for a while, and centrancce has always been secretive about the internals. If memory serves me right, it is based around a Asahi Kasei AK4396 DAC chip, which is now beginning to show its age." "It's a perfectly solid dac/amp, but significantly overpriced at its MSRP of $800, and still modestly overpriced when you consider what you can get for $400 -- there are other better choices out there with more features and value." Also someone else mentioned that the AKM4396 DAC chip used in the Modi is the same one as the Centrance, so it partially isn't an upgrade if I went with the Modi (though the amp would probably be an upgrade).
I'm not doubting what you're saying at all (see first sentence of paragraph below), I'm merely repeating what they said, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. Please.
Order placed! Hmm, does Paypal always charge right away? I wanted to help out so we get closer to the 50 mark and get word from CEntrance, but as soon as I placed the order Paypal immediately took the balance out of my account and charged my credit card the remainder. I could cancel at any time yes (it's only an authorization) but it will take like 5 days for me to be refunded. I thought my balance would stay untouched until they charge me.
Thank you so much for your help guys!
RShack
180
Dec 9, 2014
ApavWell, if he's judging things by the dang chip, just ignore him. That sounds like somebody who's a spec-shopper... you know, making decisions based on what the spec sheet says rather than what the thing actually *does*. And what the thing does is not about the chip, it's what they *do* with that chip. True, there might be newer things coming out, even from the same company. But that will do nothing whatsoever to diminish all the good qualities the DACmini has. But don't trust me, just see if you can find any review of this thing that is not absolutely glowing and doesn't say it's a bargain at $800. (Hint: you can't.)
As for his advice re: getting better cans: There are better cans than the DT990... but there are better cans than *anything* unless you wanna spend a couple grand. And the 990's are nothing to sneeze it. It's not like they're some wimpy throw-away headphones. They are good headphones, especially for certain kinds of music and for people who like certain traits in sound. So, as long as you like them, don't let him pooh-pooh what you've got. Now, I imagine that after a while you might want to get another pair of cans... but that doesn't mean you'll ditch the 990's. You might, or you might keep them and get a different kind that complements what the 990's do. Either way, if you get a cheap amp and cheap dac, then you'll not only be shopping for headphones, you'll also soon be shopping for amps and dacs too. If you get the CX, you'll have a dac/amp that is top notch, one you will not need to replace. (You may later choose to get something to complement it, but it won't be because the CX isn't good enough, but maybe just because you wanna try something tube-y for example.)
Bottom line: No matter what headphones you have, you'll always find others you want to try. So changing headphones now won't actually solve anything. But getting the DACmini will solve your amp problem *and* your dac problem for years to come. And during those years, you won't have wonder if whatever cans you have need a better amp or a better dac. The CX will let you check those 2 boxes off your list so you won't have to worry about them for a long time.
Apav
3
Dec 9, 2014
RShackThanks! You sir are extremely helpful. I agree with all of this. I was looking for a high end DAC/Amp that I can just get for a discount and forget about replacing for years. But it's only because I'm new to all of this, that I can't really tell which statement is truth because I lack both knowledge and experience, for a lot of things I just have to go by what people tell me. One guy is telling me $400 is pricey and I can find other quality sounding DACs/Amps for much less, the other is saying that even at its MSRP it beats out other products above it's price point, so polar opposite statements. I'm inclined to believe you because like you said, I see nothing but stellar reviews everywhere (except for that 2 star review on amazon, but that honestly doesn't sound like a reliable review, mostly just complaining). But I've seen this statement in other places, people feel the same way as this guy which is why I'm so confused (quote from reddit "there are other better choices out there with more features and value" and similar statements are being tossed around in a post where someone asked what do people think of this product). Misinformation? I really think people think that a $500+ DAC/Amp sounds the same as other ones that are hundreds of dollars less. Then again, who cares about them. The only actual disadvantage I see to this one is the 1 year warranty, wheareas cheaper products have at least 2 years. I'm sure I'll be fine though, the quality looks to be amazing.
I just wanted to make sure I'm getting the absolute best bang for my buck. I don't mind shelling out extra money for this kind of investment if it's worth it. Count me in.
HTvish
21
Dec 9, 2014
Apavthose are also great deals. Like I've said, it all about subjective perception and the price/performance ratio. I think mytek 192 is superior, but I don't think i'll ever pay 1500ish for a dac/amp combo. And don't get caught in specs. The implementation is way more important. If dazzling specs does not translate into better perception for you, then big time fail. Best.
RShack
180
Dec 9, 2014
ApavThe problem with reading customer reviews is that there's always a few random somebodies complaining about one thing or another. Better to read *real* reviews from people who deal with high quality audio all the time, And if you look at the actual published reviews (as opposed to just consumer reviews by Joe Blow on amazon and reddit), you simply can't find a not-glowing one... or at least I haven't been able to.
It's like when you see car guys talk about cars. The professional car testers will go on and on about how some $90,000 high performance car is unbelievably good... but then some random guy will claim that's BS because he can get a Camaro or Mustang for less than half that much that's got more horsepower... when of course horsepower won't tell you how fast you can actually drive the car on a twisty road or how well planted the car feels while you're doing it. It's the same basic thing you're running into on amazon and reddit: the problem is spec-shoppers who think they know what's a bargain and what isn't, when in reality they don't know what they're talking about... all they know how to do is compare horsepower numbers.
Now, when you look at *real* reviews of the stuff they're recommending to you, what you'll find is that real reviewers will say that those items are actually quite good at their price points... but that they are not even close to being in the same league with what's on offer here.
Apav
3
Dec 9, 2014
RShackAlright alright you guys sold me :) Now I just have to find a nice pair of headphones different enough from my DT 990 Pros to add a little variety. I'll finally have a good comparison and start to notice the little nuances people pick on on!
Also, 4 more to 50! Should we contact CEntrance and ask them directly if they are doing the variable mod for free if we reach 50 again?
RShack
180
Dec 9, 2014
ApavWell, there's 9 hours to go and by then we'll either make it or we won't. All I know is that 4 people wimped out since I signed up, and if they hadn't done that we'd be there now.
One guy here said he was in *if* it clicked over to make the Var-Out free... and a couple people propped him, so maybe he's not the only one. Hopefully, they're watching and will figure out that once it gets near 50 they should jump in to see, knowing that they can bail if it doesn't happen.
As for your next headphones, you can spend *lots* of time on headfi,org learning way more stuff than you ever wanted to know...
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