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PhantomRex
3
Sep 25, 2018
Hello all. I have tried to read this drop and the plain O2 drop ($94.99) and now I am not sure what are my best options. I have tried to read a lot of other stuff also and finally realized I may need help (well, I may need 'help' otherwise also ;)
I have 3 headphones (Sennheiser HD 6xx, Audio Technica ATH M50x, and Shure SRH940. I mostly have used the Shures until I purchased the other 2 very recently). I purchased FiiO E6 and FiiO X3 a while back for HiRes audio. I have tried the Sennheiser with it. Good audio, but not exceptional (as I thought it might be) :(
My usage scenarios: 1) HiRez audio (for now FiiO X3 is what I am going to keep using) 2) Listening to TV through headphones when the house needs to be quiet :) Receiver: Denon AVR-4310CI
Thus, for these 2 usage scenarios, what would I need? And specifically, would O2 + SDAC is needed or can just the O2 be enough?
Thanks in advance, all! Cheers, P
devolutionary
84
Sep 25, 2018
PhantomRexIf you are only deadset on a choice of O2, or O2+SDAC, then it will simply come down to price. Your Denon receiver likely already has a more than capable DAC so the question would be whether you want a (small and mobile but) very capable dedicated desktop DAC. It would depend on how happy you are with the performance of the FiiO DAC. The SDAC produces a nice clean, transparent sound but I have no idea if it's worth the purchase for you. If you plan on listening to music straight from your computer exclusively, then include the SDAC (less cumbersome), otherwise rely on the FiiO and just buy the O2. While the combo costs more, you could always upgrade your amp later and keep the DAC functionality of the combo.
PhantomRex
3
Sep 25, 2018
devolutionaryThanks so much, devolutionary.
I don't know if the Denon receiver (AVR-4310CI) has a decent DAC. At least when I plug in the headset to the headset plug in the front, the sound is okay but very soft. Thus, I keep wondering if I need a better DAC. Maybe I will need to do a bit more research on that front.
I don't really intend to listen to music from my laptop directly - at least not that often. Thus, if I am using the FiiO X3 DAC, then I probably will do fine with the O2 alone. (I think the FiiO E6 amp is okay, but clearly it isn't enough for me :(
A separate question then: if I am only looking at an amp (for one or more of the headphones), is O2 good enough? Are there other options I should research? (Apologies for asking so many questions *and* thank you in advance :)
Cheers!
devolutionary
84
Sep 25, 2018
PhantomRexYou could potentially use the SDAC with the Denon, but it might be awkward since it only has USB support. There's definitely better amps out there but the O2 should have enough power for most mid-impedance headphones, even the regular 1x/.3.3x gain option. Most people actually prefer that, since there tends to be less distortion. I can barely remember ever using high-gain. The 6XX might require the most amplification, but the O2 should handle it fine. Ideally you want an amp that won't struggle or require full boost all the time so the main concern is whether you will graduate to high impedance/power-hungry headphones down the road. Good luck on your decision.
PhantomRex
3
Sep 25, 2018
devolutionary, thanks so much again! :)
I think I will go for the plain O2. Also, I had planned on the medium gain (1x/3.3x gain). NOT the standard gain - which is 2.5x/6.5x. At least that's what the options I see. Is that correct? I know there *was* some problem with shipping a few months back where some folks received the 2.5x/6.5x gain version instead of the 1x/3.3x gain).
Since as of right now, I have no plans on getting high impedance headphones, I think 1x/3.3x gain is good enough, right? AND, the options on the plain O2 drop are accurate? It says medium gain is 1x/3.3x and standard gain is 2.5x/6.5x (Of course, 110V for us crazy yanks ;)
Thanks. Cheers!
devolutionary
84
Sep 25, 2018
PhantomRexYou're welcome. Pick 110V US or 220V EU A/C power at checkout. I think there was a recall as the initial batches were Standard but they've rectified this. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-o2-sdac-dac-amp/talk/2113402?utm_source=linkshare&referer=WYVW9R Yeah, I have the O2 w/ Medium gain but also bought the SDAC separately later. EDIT: Whoops my reference is for the combo. Yeah the O2 should offer both gain options.
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