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nautalyst
1
Sep 16, 2017
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Ladies and gents, I need some advice. I knew these headphones were worth the buy, but I know little and less beyond that in regards to audio. I'm looking at getting a Magni 2 headphone amp, but do I -- should I get a DAC? I looked at the Modi, and the Bifrost from Schiit (the bifrost because I intend to buy pretty beefy studio monitors in the future), but how necessary is a DAC and should I get one for the hd6XX? I'll be running music off of my desktop but I dont have a dedicated soundcard -- not sure if this is where a dedicated dac really comes in?
Sep 16, 2017
dncnexus
80
Sep 16, 2017
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nautalystHighly recommend getting a DAC. It will clean up your music. You really don't need an expensive Dac. I personally run a Modi 2 with the Vali 2. I am not that knowledgable on studio monitors though. If the Bifrost gives you more ability to hook up your monitors then that may be the way to go
Sep 16, 2017
I_Need_Money
114
Sep 17, 2017
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nautalystIf your current audio source is clean and there's no static/buzzing or anything like that then you probably don't need a DAC. If you do decide to get a DAC, just buy the regular Modi or ODAC. There's little to no sound improvement with the premium DACs.
Sep 17, 2017
mattris
1260
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Sep 18, 2017
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I_Need_MoneyAudio sources with "no static/buzzing" does not mean that they're reproducing the audio signal properly. And what "clean" analog sources exist that are not DACs? High-end disc players or music servers are the only ones I can think of.
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.
Sep 18, 2017
I_Need_Money
114
Sep 18, 2017
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mattrisWhen I said if @nautalyst's current source was clean I meant if their existing DAC (in their phone/computer or whatever their using) is clean. Sorry for the confusing wording.
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.
Sep 18, 2017
mattris
1260
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Sep 18, 2017
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I_Need_MoneyPhones and computers do not simply contain DACs that send out a standard Line Out voltage. They have built-in amplifiers, and amplifying the signal twice (first from the source, then again to your headphones/speakers) is not optimal. Again, what do you mean by "clean"?
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.
Sep 18, 2017
I_Need_Money
114
Sep 19, 2017
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mattrisLike I said, I may have confusingly worded it. By "clean" I just meant no noises from interference like buzzing or static.
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.
Sep 19, 2017
mattris
1260
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Sep 19, 2017
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I_Need_MoneyNot noticing interference (like buzzing or static) does not mean that the DAC is outputting a "clean" signal. Some DACs are simply truer to the source material.
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.
Sep 19, 2017
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