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Dac/Amp under $90 that can drive HD 6XX?

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New to the audio world and finished buying the HD 6XX and was looking to either get this https://www.amazon.com/FX-Audio-Optical-Coaxial-Amplifier/dp/B01HERNVQQ/ or this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019Y5TR6O/ If there's anything else you can recommend for a similar price I would look into them.
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gabeg45
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cfnovak
18
Dec 22, 2018
Schiits are decent i seen one particular amp on sale during black friday for around 90$ maybe more
wdappio
25
Dec 21, 2018
TBH if you want a good DAC/Amp you're going to have to spend more than $90 for it, especially one that will drive a 300 ohm set like the 6XX's. In fact, this one would be perfect for it... https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-liquid-carbon-x-sdac-dac-amp#specs
Onslash
166
Dec 19, 2018
get the jds lab atom , then a dac like topping d30 once you want to spend more.
dcha12
461
Dec 18, 2018
Neither; save a wee bit more money and get a solid amp. You'll hear way more benefit than getting a combined DAC/amp at this price point. Recommendations (in no particular order!!!):
  1. Schiit Magni 3 ($100): Good amp, even against amps much more expensive than it. My daily driver on my bedside rig. Pretty neutral, slightly sweet highs. Can drive some power-hungry headphones.
  2. JDS Atom ($100): Haven't heard this personally, but has good reviews. Not as powerful as the Magni 3, but smaller and overall amazing output for size.
  3. O2 (~$100): Open-source, made by several manufacturers. Clean sound, relatively bright. YMMV depending on which manufacturer made it, but not certain about exact details.
  4. Cavalli Liquid Spark ($100): Very musical, somewhat warm, but incredibly engaging. Not as airy as the Magni 3. Super good for price.
Note that to drive an HD 6XX "properly," you'll need an amp that is capable of handling its impedance swing, which rises up to 500 ohms. Then, when you save more money later, add a DAC. At least, this is what I recommend. Edit: updated with Liquid Spark impressions.
(Edited)
gabeg45
0
Dec 18, 2018
dcha12Thank you for the advice. For now I'm just trying to dip my toes into this audio equipment so I don't break the bank going straight into. But I have heard like you've said about the magni and that how the schiit stack with the magni and the modi are the way to go for go sound that's not too expensive.
dcha12
461
Dec 18, 2018
gabeg45I personally think the Magni 3 is the best amp for $100, and is the best bang for your buck period. It subjectively pleases me and objectively has tons of clean power. The Schiit stack with the modi is a good start; however, I would also recommend the SDAC here at Massdrop. It's cheaper and personally I like the SDAC more in sound.
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