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YasuoMain
5
Jul 21, 2018
Can someone recommend a cheap dac/amp for these? Preferably around 75$
TaylorD
380
Jul 26, 2018
YasuoMainI mean, it's not the best DAC/Amp, but the FX-Audio DAC-X6 has plenty of power for these. The DAC section isn't amazing, but the amp is pretty powerful. To be fair, you do get Line-Outs for pumping another headphone or speaker amp, USB/Coax/Optical inputs, which is nice. It's a good starter dac/amp.
Alternatively, you could spend a little more for the Schiit Fulla 2, or for a more portable solution, the Fiio Q1 Mark II.
If you could spend a little more, you'd definitely benefit more. Mine are running off an Aune X1s, and an O2+SDAC combo, and they sound fantastic.
YasuoMain
5
Jul 26, 2018
TaylorDThank you for that information. What do recommend out of the schiit fulla 2 and the fiio q1 if I would like to listen at home?
TaylorD
380
Jul 26, 2018
YasuoMainHonestly, either one is perfectly fine. The Fiio is made to be portable and has an integrated rechargable battery, but has a 2.5mm Balanced Output, Bass Boost switch, Hi-Lo Gain Switch, as well as support for PCM 32-bit, 384 khz (complete overkill), and DSD256 decoding (also arguably unnecessary) but it's a bit small and isn't the best form factor for use on a desk. It will require a driver to use the DSD on Windows. However, it is MFI Certified, so if you have an iPhone, or Linux, or Mac for that matter, no drivers are necessary and it won't suck power from your iPhone over Lightning (does come with a lighting to micro cable). http://a.co/66piEwD
The Fulla 2 is a great form factor for a desk, and it's small, and even has a volume controlled pre-out for use with powered speakers, so that's kinda cool. It uses 2 USB's, one for power and the other for data, It will do PCM up to 24-bit 96khz, which is arguably all you'd need starting out. It is Class 1 as well, so doesn't require a separate driver download. Also, top mounted volume knob. http://www.schiit.com/products/fulla-2
I just noticed the NuForce uDac3 available on Massdrop: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/udac-3-amp-dac
The uDac is powered by MicroUSB as well, but doesn't have any extra, it's just whatever the hub can supply, and older uDacs have gotten mixed reviews. I'd suggest you read the reviews from the drop, or somewhere else.
It really depends what headphones you're using, but I generally recommend units with an external power supply, as it generally means a more powerful amping stage that's usable with more headphones. The Fiio has it's battery to fill that role, and the Schiit has, as I said, an extra MicroUSB input that's solely for power. The FX-Audio DAC-X6 is also externally powered, and like I mentioned above, does have a decently powerful amping stage. http://a.co/gXIOlgx
Bottom line, check over all 3, they can all be used for desktop, or laptop use. But the Fiio is the clear winner for portability. Though, for a desk, the Fulla, the DAC-X6, or even this Micca Origen G2 (http://a.co/ac46cyH) would be a fantastic first amp/dac with a desktop. As a side note, the Origen G2, and DAC-X6 both support optical for use with consoles, because I forget if I mentioned that before. Anyways, good luck!
YasuoMain
5
Jul 27, 2018
TaylorDThank you very much for all the help!
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