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Showing 1 of 1897 conversations about:
Redington
23
Aug 9, 2017
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How does this connect to a PC? Is it a good choice for the HD 6XX?
TiffanyPoodleslide
1402
Aug 9, 2017
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RedingtonYou will need a DAC, Find one with RCA outputs.
As some have mentioned, the JDS Labs will fit the bill nicely.
I can HIGHLY recommend JDS Labs gear. Listening to a JDS Labs device myself, RIGHT NOW!
:)
deanpcmad
44
Aug 9, 2017
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TiffanyPoodleslideWhy would you need a DAC? Most PC motherboards come with fairly decent onboard audio these days
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 9, 2017
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deanpcmadMost audio coming from the motherboard is still noisy as all get out though. You have to remember that the sound devices on pc motherboards are basically right under the PCI express slots.
If you're pulling low SnR audio out of the line out on your motherboard, you're just going to be amplifying noise.
If you're pulling low SnR audio out of the line out on your motherboard, you're just going to be amplifying noise.
thegammaray
15
Aug 9, 2017
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deanpcmadOnboard audio often isn't isolated very well from the rest of the electronics on the motherboard, which leads to lots of interference (e.g. hissing, popping). Running that signal into the O2 will just amplify that interference along with the actual audio you're trying to hear. It sounds bad. That's why a DAC is often a good idea.
Having said that, if your onboard audio is pretty clean, then you might not benefit much from a DAC. It really depends on the machine you're using.
Having said that, if your onboard audio is pretty clean, then you might not benefit much from a DAC. It really depends on the machine you're using.
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 9, 2017
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thegammarayAnother option is any of the creative labs external usb sound cards. Removes your audio device from the source of the interference (the inside of your machine)
That being said, you can get bad audio just from having old wiring/bad grounding in your house. Your best bet is always going to be going into a DAC digitally (usb or optical)
That being said, you can get bad audio just from having old wiring/bad grounding in your house. Your best bet is always going to be going into a DAC digitally (usb or optical)
thegammaray
15
Aug 9, 2017
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PigmonkeYAn external USB sound card is a DAC. But yeah, I agree. ;)
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 9, 2017
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thegammarayIt's a dac, but generally an amp as well. I know most of the external sound cards claim to be able to do high impedance headphones...I'd never use the headphone out on a high impedance set though.
The only real advantage to using an external sound card as your dac, is they often have some decent positional audio options for when you're gaming as opposed to listening to music.
The only real advantage to using an external sound card as your dac, is they often have some decent positional audio options for when you're gaming as opposed to listening to music.
Darkprincelucifer
42
Aug 9, 2017
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PigmonkeYCompletely agree. With most motherboards there is a VERY noticeable difference between the on-board DAC and even a cheap external one, such as the FiiO E10k. If you're using a headphone that's any better than the sort of thing that comes free with a smartphone, I'd recommend getting an external DAC before you get a new headphone amp (unless of course you're having trouble driving them with your current setup). Even the best headphones can't make a bad source sound good!
TiffanyPoodleslide
1402
Aug 9, 2017
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PigmonkeY@ deanpcmad
All of this is true.
BUT.
As they say, crap in=crap out.
If you are going to use NICE headphones, the lack of DAC may only make you feel miserable about them, and, as GammaRay noted, an amplifier will only make output garbage louder.
There are even noise and jitter "cleaners" on the market.
Also... not all digital output is handily "interpreted" by straight output to an amp, running the signal through a DAC fixes that.
Check out the various discussions on an audiophile site like Headfi, you will find that this is all pretty much common knowledge amongst audiophile folks.
You do want the best quality of sound from your computer to those nice cans..... :)
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 9, 2017
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TiffanyPoodleslideThis is why i've been pushing the Audio-gd NFB 11.28 around here. It's a pretty awesome all in one solution for the price of a schiit stack.
Jackula
1743
Aug 9, 2017
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PigmonkeYThis offering is for the amp part only, there is no DAC on board of this thing.
Jackula
1743
Aug 9, 2017
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deanpcmadODAC would be a good fit for this as they are the same company. There's not too many options at this price point.
thegammaray
15
Aug 9, 2017
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PigmonkeYGotcha. I'm not familiar with their product line, but the Creative website doesn't list output specifications for the USB sound cards, so I share your skepticism about using them for high-impedance headphones. But they do have at least one that brags about its "600-Ohm headphone amplifier", so maybe it would be an acceptable option for the 6xx if somebody cares about Creative's positional audio solution. I don't know. Good thinking though.
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 9, 2017
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thegammarayI have an omni 5.1, the headphone out is not bad at all, but i wouldn't use it for the 650. The line out on the front is VERY clean though (24 bit 192khz dac in there) and you could certainly go from the line out into an amp.
thegammaray
15
Aug 9, 2017
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PigmonkeYNice! At $78 though (Amazon), that doesn't seem like an economical DAC unless the user really wants Creative's positional audio tech...
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 9, 2017
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thegammarayIt's only worth it if you also have a 5.1 system to hook up. But yes, positional virtual 5.1 is important to some subset of gamers, apparently.
TiffanyPoodleslide
1402
Aug 9, 2017
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deanpcmadPERSONALLY... I do love my Schiits. I also REALLY love the JDS Labs gear. You can't go wrong with either.
I concur that the ODAC from the same company would be the best fit, sonically and for clean interfacing.
One thing that I love about JDS Labs gear is the simple and elegant presentation with very easy set-up, no fuss o muss. I am not absolutely clear on this point; you might need to load drivers for PC as opposed to a ready-out-of-the-box set up with a Mac. This is true with Schiit,anyway.
The op-amp choice from JDS is always excellent.
If you look in the JDS Labs "seconds" bin, you can get a significant reduction on price on many of their items. Sometimes as simple an issue as a minuscule surface blem or a different model casing.
ChumbWumba
271
Aug 9, 2017
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PigmonkeYI just purchased this a couple months back off of recommendation from a few people around here and after some extensive reading on Head-Fi..def lives up to the 'hype' (which is more of a good reputation than actual hype I'd say). I'm using it with K7XX's among a few other phones, but those are my primaries right now with HD6XX's and the tx-0's on order as well. Tempted on the new hifiman set too but I already have both of those sets coming around Christmas plus all the phones I have right now already..decisions decisions!
Dini
2
Aug 9, 2017
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thegammaraySorry new to this stuff. How about from a MacBook Pro mid 2014? Bought the HD6xx just after something to power it. Don't plan on spending more than $150 for additional gear for the time being. Thanks.
thegammaray
15
Aug 9, 2017
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DiniI've never owned an Apple laptop, but the DACs in their laptops have very good reputations. I wouldn't rely on the laptop's amp for high-impedance headphones, though. In your case, the O2 sounds like an excellent choice. And if you're not satisfied with the laptop DAC down the road, you can always add an external DAC later.
JakeSully
20
Aug 12, 2017
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PigmonkeYThe Audio-gd NFB 11.28 is probably good but they need a better way to sell it. Their order process is too risky and confusing.
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 12, 2017
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JakeSullyI don't see what's risky or confusing about it. That's misinformation to people looking at one.
You email them with what you want, and what options. (some stuff is made to order, but everything gets such extensive QC that generally stuff is a few weeks out anyways).
They send you a paypal link to pay for the item (now you have buyer protection, too).
I don't understand what's risky or confusing about it, it's pretty much the same treatment you'd get from bespoke makers. They mainly market to the chinese audiophile market, which (like most markets in china) is much bigger than most other countries. You're paying for quality, not for a flashy website and fancy industrial design.
You email them with what you want, and what options. (some stuff is made to order, but everything gets such extensive QC that generally stuff is a few weeks out anyways).
They send you a paypal link to pay for the item (now you have buyer protection, too).
I don't understand what's risky or confusing about it, it's pretty much the same treatment you'd get from bespoke makers. They mainly market to the chinese audiophile market, which (like most markets in china) is much bigger than most other countries. You're paying for quality, not for a flashy website and fancy industrial design.
JakeSully
20
Aug 12, 2017
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PigmonkeYI'm not misinforming anyone. I was in the market for a dac/amp upgrade from an o2/odac. Reviews mention Audio-gd NFB 11.28, Schiit jotunheim, and a few others within my price range. I went to see the cost of each and how to order. Audio-gd ordering process just isn't convenient. To a cautious buyers like myself it just it looks risky.
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 12, 2017
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JakeSullyI'd say you're more at risk buying poorly designed low-fi schiit equipment. If you read around, they're not very well respected or liked in the audiophile community.
ChumbWumba
271
Aug 14, 2017
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JakeSullyI just went through the process myself with Audio GD in ordering the NFB-11.28. I prefer a more standardized method of ordering and payment typically, but Audio-GD delivered, and in spades! The shipping was quicker than expected, especially after the leisurely processing time..and came fully intact and safely packaged. They even honored a promotion I had no way of 'demanding' compensation for, so to speak. And the audio quality overal, let alone it's value at this price point, is phenomenal!
JakeSully
20
Aug 15, 2017
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PigmonkeYReally? From what gather, I thought the "audiophile" community hated them because of their attitude. I have not bought anything Schiit so I wouldn't know.
PigmonkeY
1082
Aug 16, 2017
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JakeSullyNo, it's in regards to their design and overall quality. Seems most of what you pay is going into A E S T H E T I C to go along with your imac.
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