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Simthaniel
Rigs
Modded headphones with qudelix at the core
When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...
Apr 14, 2024
brothamike
A decent set of IEMs
I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...
Apr 12, 2024
merrick97
Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?
I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.
Apr 11, 2024
LostnAmerica
Sound Signature of the Grell Project.
Wondering what type of sound signature the Drop Grell project headphones will have or trying to attain. Any update would be appreciated.
Apr 8, 2024
Fabulous
Looking for a gaming/content audio setup
Hello! I'm looking for recommendations on audio setups. I'd be planning on using it mostly for gaming. Preferably I'd like a pair of large closed back headphones since I have a big head and jaw. I'd also like to hear myself through my mic with mic monitoring. As far as budget goes, I don't really have one. But under 600$ would be nice. I can go higher if needed. The audio setup would be connected to a high performance PC. Thank you in advance for any recommendations!
Apr 4, 2024
1plsd
$10 Drop Coupon Email not sent?
Trying to buy some gear off Drop for the first time. I was told I would receive an email with a welcome to drop $10 off promo. I never received that email. Drop was able to send me emails for my login token and email for Password update. But for some reason the $10 off coupon was never sent to me.
Mar 31, 2024
NMPacella
New here
Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.
Mar 18, 2024
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And keep in mind that even relatively inexpensive DACs have different sound characteristics (warm, analytical, bright, dark, etc.). Also, some DACs feature optical and/or coaxial digital inputs - in addition to USB - for added functionality.
Bottom line: Compared to using a phone/computer headphone jack (or low-end audio source's RCA line out) as the source for your amplifier, a good - but not necessarily expensive - DAC will make a substantial improvement in the sound you hear.
I haven't personally noticed any difference in sounds between different inexpensive DACs. The only advantage I see to purchasing a higher-end DAC (really anything above the ODAC or Modi) would be because of features (such as inputs), not because of sound.
I haven't heard many - much less been able to side-by-side compare - inexpensive (~$100) DACs. But I would bet that I could hear a difference - at least with some of them - using an above-average amplifier and headphones/speakers.
Higher-end DACs do sound better. For example, my iFi Micro iDSD BL is noticeably better (more spacious and detailed) than the Micca Origen+ that I sold.
Maybe I just have bad ears but I highly doubt that I'd be able to tell the difference between any high-end DAC and the ODAC/Modi in a blind test.
Various DAC specifications describe how "clean" a DAC's signal is: total harmonic distortion (THD), dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio. Also, a full Line Out signal is 2.1 V. Some (lesser) DACs short-change the output voltage.
If you can't tell the difference between the Schiit Modi and high-end DACs, you might have bad (less discerning) ears... or maybe just bad audio equipment.