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CHIINO
3
Mar 22, 2018
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Hi, i have just got my new HD-6XX and i want to buy the dac and amp combo, i have notice that there are many buying options that can set the price up to $264.99, im new to high-end audio and i would love to get some advice, if im going to buy the amp & dac to power my HD-6XX, what buying option sould i pick?
Brosefstalin42
260
Mar 22, 2018
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CHIINODACs don't scale as well as amps do. You're better off with an $80-120 DAC and a $500 amp than a $500 DAC and an $80 amp. The most important things you can do with DACs are get one that can handle the audio resolution (most files are going to be 16 bit and 44.1k-48k but some are higher, but typically unless you're paying for high end Tidal streaming or buying from specialized music sites or recording needle drops, a basic 24-bit, 96k is plenty though some will do 32-bit and 192k or even 384k, but those are mega-enthusiast levels) and one that doesn't add any noise when you aren't playing any sound and turn the amp up to about 75% or more of max and/or have high gain on. Some DACs can be darker or brighter than others, I've found the D30 darker than most SMSL and Xduoo DACs and most portable DAC/Amp all-in-ones (I will be getting the TA-10 from Xduoo to compare to my Magni 3 and Jotun with the D30) so the D30 tends to pair well with the 650/6XX since Senns tend to be lighter on bass so it gives a little boost on that end, and it tames the brightness of the Jotunheim (though I think the balanced DAC option, which I don't use, is to blame for the bright reputation of it? I never found it as bright as my other combos I've tried) and the D30 is silent. I highly recommend it for the price.
The other side is the amp. Amps tend to affect your headphones sound much more since they are supplying the power to the drivers, and in general, the more power the amp has, the less distortion there is when pushing the volume loud (some amps with less power but high gain can get loud but the sound will get veiled, muddy, or otherwise distorted so it doesn't sound as clear, or you start to hear a background hiss because the gain is cranked high so it's just magnified instead of truly powered properly to that volume) so with this drop's headphone amp, the A30, it will do well with most headphones, though the 300 and 600 ohm headphones will be shorter of power (not by much, talking 20 to 80 mWs difference, most headphones under $200 and under 250 ohms don't need more than 180mW average, some peak bass may need 400mW but only when that strong bass is actually played) compared to a direct competitor, the Magni 3 from Schiit. Magni 3 puts out about double the power at 32 ohms, but unless you have planars, 250+ ohm headphones, or some fostex, EMU, or Denon headphones, you can get by without the doubled power of the Magni 3. Personal preference is the rest of it. Personally, I like more bass, smooth and detailed mids, and more relaxed treble, so the D30 fits my ear, and the Magni 3 and Jotunheim unbalanced connected to it are great with all my headphones.
I'd say get both here unless you really want more 250+ ohm headphones or planar magnetic headphones, you might want to get just the D30 and then the Magni 3 from Schiit. I won't say Schiit is the best, but at the price range, they tend to be some of the best price/performance at this level. Once you hit $400+, other amps from other companies tend to be more sought after.
The other side is the amp. Amps tend to affect your headphones sound much more since they are supplying the power to the drivers, and in general, the more power the amp has, the less distortion there is when pushing the volume loud (some amps with less power but high gain can get loud but the sound will get veiled, muddy, or otherwise distorted so it doesn't sound as clear, or you start to hear a background hiss because the gain is cranked high so it's just magnified instead of truly powered properly to that volume) so with this drop's headphone amp, the A30, it will do well with most headphones, though the 300 and 600 ohm headphones will be shorter of power (not by much, talking 20 to 80 mWs difference, most headphones under $200 and under 250 ohms don't need more than 180mW average, some peak bass may need 400mW but only when that strong bass is actually played) compared to a direct competitor, the Magni 3 from Schiit. Magni 3 puts out about double the power at 32 ohms, but unless you have planars, 250+ ohm headphones, or some fostex, EMU, or Denon headphones, you can get by without the doubled power of the Magni 3. Personal preference is the rest of it. Personally, I like more bass, smooth and detailed mids, and more relaxed treble, so the D30 fits my ear, and the Magni 3 and Jotunheim unbalanced connected to it are great with all my headphones.
I'd say get both here unless you really want more 250+ ohm headphones or planar magnetic headphones, you might want to get just the D30 and then the Magni 3 from Schiit. I won't say Schiit is the best, but at the price range, they tend to be some of the best price/performance at this level. Once you hit $400+, other amps from other companies tend to be more sought after.
Multiverse
1
Mar 23, 2018
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Brosefstalin42I'd argue that the A30 is better than the Magni 3 for most people. The A30's only disadvantage is lower power at 1551 mw compared to the Magni's 2000, but 1.5 watts is still crazy high and will power 300 ohm senns and 600 ohm beyers just fine. Plus, the A30 has low and high gain along with 0, 9, and 18 db boost, unlike the magni which just has low and high gain, giving the A30 more volume knob play with sensitive headphones. I've also heard of the Magni having channel imbalance problems at low levels, something that isn't as much a problem with the A30 since you can set it to a lower output level.
Brosefstalin42
260
Mar 23, 2018
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MultiverseI've only heard of channel imbalance on the most sensitive of IEMs/cans, and I don't know why you'd hook up those to a desktop amp, but I also don't really like IEMs so channel I'm balance hasn't been an issue for me.
Also I do believe others have said the A30 has a slightly higher output impedance so idk how accurate the low ohm headphones are, but like I said before I'm not a big IEM fan so my opinion there is moot.
The only thing I have to add to the high ohm cans is bass tends to need higher peak power for that moment of bass slam, so having that little extra power can squeeze out that extra oomph, idk how big of a difference the two would have.
Of course, I need an A30 to tell any sound coloration, since that would likely be the biggest difference with different parts and configuration on the inside. Someone that has both may be able to chime in.
Also I do believe others have said the A30 has a slightly higher output impedance so idk how accurate the low ohm headphones are, but like I said before I'm not a big IEM fan so my opinion there is moot.
The only thing I have to add to the high ohm cans is bass tends to need higher peak power for that moment of bass slam, so having that little extra power can squeeze out that extra oomph, idk how big of a difference the two would have.
Of course, I need an A30 to tell any sound coloration, since that would likely be the biggest difference with different parts and configuration on the inside. Someone that has both may be able to chime in.
Kaizen21
18
Mar 23, 2018
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CHIINOHello !
I am also new to high-end audio. Last year I started my little investment : I have an HD6XX, A30 and D30. I am really happy with this setup. Both DAC and Amp improve the music very much. I think you can't go wrong with this. This is a cool beginner setup. I plugged the HD6XX to my friend's higher end setup (500$ DAC and Vali amp), it's quite impossible to tell a difference. You know there is something a little bit different, but it's impossible to recoognize on which setup you are plugged. I have never tried a really cheap DAC/Amp but I think that what is important is to have a decent Amp/DAC combo.
Sorry for bad English.
I am also new to high-end audio. Last year I started my little investment : I have an HD6XX, A30 and D30. I am really happy with this setup. Both DAC and Amp improve the music very much. I think you can't go wrong with this. This is a cool beginner setup. I plugged the HD6XX to my friend's higher end setup (500$ DAC and Vali amp), it's quite impossible to tell a difference. You know there is something a little bit different, but it's impossible to recoognize on which setup you are plugged. I have never tried a really cheap DAC/Amp but I think that what is important is to have a decent Amp/DAC combo.
Sorry for bad English.
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