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Tommo18
1
Oct 6, 2018
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So I just bought one of these because I've already got an amp, and I want to upgrade from onboard audio. But I've got no experience with DACs or any other audiophile gear, so I don't really know how to gauge how good this is. How does this really compare to other DACs in it's price range? I just read Grace Design's comment about how it doesn't reach its full potential when driving a headphone amp, but is it really that bad? Sorry for my newbiness :)
Oct 6, 2018
Mark_M
236
Oct 7, 2018
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Tommo18What do they mean it doesn't reach it's full potential when driving a headphone amp?
Oct 7, 2018
Tommo18
1
Oct 7, 2018
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Mark_MNo idea, that's basically what I'm asking. They said in another comment: " Note that the output impedance is set at 150 Ohms so the SDAC is not intended to drive headphones. While it will not harm anything to do so, the fidelity will not approach what is possible with a good headphone amplifier."
Oct 7, 2018
Mark_M
236
Oct 7, 2018
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Tommo18They are saying that you can't drive headphones to their full potential by simply using the SDAC. You need an amp also to drive headphones properly. Yes you can get an RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable to use headphones directly but it's much better to pair the SDAC with an amp. The matching amp sold here on Massdrop will work perfectly but I'm going to pair the SDAC with my Aune X7S amp.
Oct 7, 2018
Tommo18
1
Oct 7, 2018
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Mark_MI got it. I've already got a cheap behringer headphone amp (MA400) to drive some DT770s. Is it good enough?
Oct 7, 2018
Mark_M
236
Oct 7, 2018
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Tommo18I have not heard of that Amp before so I'm not sure.
Oct 7, 2018
Drift6216
79
Oct 7, 2018
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Mark_MAs well as being able to use the 3.5mm line out for a direct connection. Agreed that people should still be connecting this to an amp, or at least a passive volume control if they're using something very efficient.
Oct 7, 2018
Brad.Clarkston
142
Oct 7, 2018
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Tommo18 That's a mono amp made for studio applications not music playback. Will it work? Sure. Will it sound OK? I doubt it.
You really want something like the 02 headphone amp or similarly priced unit ($90-$100) to power this dac.
Oct 7, 2018
Tommo18
1
Oct 8, 2018
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Brad.ClarkstonWhat do you mean by mono Amp?
Oct 8, 2018
Brad.Clarkston
142
Oct 8, 2018
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Tommo18 Mono vs stero. The MA400 is primarily made to be used in mono mode (single channel) in a studio environment for instruments. It will work but you would be happier with something like the Lepai LP-2020TI for $10 more it's made for audio playback.
I bought the LP-2020TI after Steve Guttenberg recommended it over at CNETS "The Audiophiliac" website. It's a great little amp for $35. Not at good as the O2 but it should be at twice the price.
Oct 8, 2018
Tommo18
1
Oct 8, 2018
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Brad.ClarkstonThanks man, I'll have a look
Oct 8, 2018
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