Best first Amp and DAC for $200 USD (~250$ CAD) | Many people won't...

Best first Amp and DAC for $200 USD (~250$ CAD)

Showing 1 of 2 conversations about:

Jul 5, 2018

If it were up to me I'd grab a Topping D10 and pair it with my favorite $100 amp. O2 is a bit under-powered for HD 6XX but sounds vastly better with them than other under-powered amps. Magni 3 can drive them reasonably well. I like Aune T1 as well, but I generally stay away from combo units these days. Really there are many amps to choose from. I'd sample them and see what I prefer if I were you.

Vote

Jul 5, 2018

HeeftyWhat is the price of the Aune T1 ?
The Topping D10 is in my Top 3 list, it seems to be a really good choice, a bit ugly, but that's subjective
I wanted to buy the Modi 2 Uber but with the rate exchange and the shipping fees, it becomes too expensive for me (The Schiit stack with the Modi 2 Uber goes up to ~330$ CAD)
However, I read that the HD6XX sounds better with a tube amp, is that true ?

Vote

Jul 5, 2018

AwokenBoiT1 sells for ~$200US often. It looks like it's coming up at $250US at the moment though.
Tube vs. solid state amp is always a hot debate. People say that solid state is more accurate and portrays the recording better for that reason. People say tubes give a more intimate sound and better sound stage and imaging. Personally I use both when the mood suits me. I spend the most time on SS though, but it's not due to sound preference. I actually prefer tubes for music.

Vote

Jul 5, 2018

HeeftyBut does tube amp give better imaging and soundstage ? Because it is something important for me. If I can get better imaging I'll prefer tube amp

Vote

Jul 5, 2018

AwokenBoiI think so, yes, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who will argue that with me.

Vote

Jul 5, 2018

HeeftyIs it possible to find some tube amps around 100-150$ ?

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

AwokenBoiThe cheapest tube amp that's not junk is probably the Schiit Valhalla 2 at $349 USD.

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

DubharmonicI'll pass I think :D (for the moment)

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

DubharmonicTho, I still can't choose what to take. I can go with a Fulla 2 and a Magni 3, but no S/PDIF input. I can go with a topping D10, but I'll have to wait my Amp for that etc.

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

AwokenBoiIf I were you I'd buy 1 piece at a time. You could get a Magni 3 and use your current source(s) with it, save $100, and then get a better DAC later on. The HD6XX will scale up with your future upgrades.

Jul 6, 2018

DubharmonicI've already thought about that. I thought that I can only buy an amp without a DAC, and plug it directly into my computer but I don't think it's a good idea

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

AwokenBoiIt's not a bad approach to buy an amp first and just run it from whatever onboard DAC you have available. The amp is going to make a bigger difference on the sound than the DAC. You can always add a stand-alone DAC down the road.

Jul 6, 2018

HeeftyI'll go with that choice then.
Do you think that the Magni 3 will be enough good for the HD6XX ?

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

AwokenBoiIt can drive it with some overhead. It's probably the cheapest amp I know of that you don't have to build yourself that can claim that. It's definitely worth considering.

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

AwokenBoiMost of the options for DAC's at the listed price point will lack spdif, if that is something you truly need you may want to expand the budget a bit and go for the Modi Uber. The D10 and Modi Uber are some of the best options in the entry level DAC segment IMO. The D10 is great if you want to try some DSD and the Modi Uber is good if you need additional connection flexibility.

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

ElectronicVicesI've read more about the S/PDIF vs USB battle-thingy, and I think that I will not take a side about it, both are nearly the same.
However, I've already did my choices. I will not take a DAC for the moment and get a good amp under 200, like the Magni 3 or something else who's a good all-rounder (good for high-impedance headphones and low-impedance IEMs), Do you have some recommandation ?

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

ElectronicVicesI'd take the D30 over the Schiit. It measures better, supports DSD direct transfer/DoP, and saves you $30 on Amazon or $50 on Massdrop.
Never heard the Schiit to compare that though.

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

HeeftyA different perspective on the cheap DAC options: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/cheap-dac-off-topping-d30-sdac-mimby-jds-el-dac-ifi-nano-bl.6313/
I've never heard anything from Topping, but I sure do appreciate my Modi Multibit.

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

DubharmonicI love how you all are talking about cheap DACs and all I wanna know is a suggestion for a good amp other than the Magni 3 :D
That said, your link is pretty interesting (and his story with his D30)

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

AwokenBoiI'd get a Magni 3 if you want to play it safe with dependable solid state or a Vali 2 if you're up for trying a tube hybrid.
There are also some Magni 2 here for only $49! http://www.schiit.com/b-stocks

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

DubharmonicWhat's the difference between "normal" stock and b-stock ?

Vote

Jul 6, 2018

AwokenBoiScroll down to the bottom of the page 🙂

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

DubharmonicWhat ?

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

DubharmonicWhat ?

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

HeeftyDon't get too caught up in measurements, the site of which you refer means well, but I have serious reservations over his attention to detail when testing. If you've seen the Audio Precision presentation video on testing and distortion you'll know what I mean. I am speaking to features for the price as I doubt the vast majority of folks would be able to tell them apart assuming similarly budgeted companion gear. There aren't a whole lot of options at $150 for a DAC with outboard power, 192khz/24bit support spdif connections and a decent warranty. There are also not a whole lot of quality DSD capable DAC's in it's price point which makes the D10 standout there. I've used the schiit stack when my buddy was auditioning it. He's also tested the DAC's I have here (Dragonfly 1.2, Emotiva XDA-1, and Teac UD-501). He preferred the dragonfly for the cost/benefit ratio but didn't notice much difference between the DAC's. I can't say I spent enough time to be able to speak in detail on the Modi's sound but there was certainly nothing wrong with it. My buddy returned it to save money, not because he disliked the way it sounds. The USB powered aspect of the D10 is less than ideal for my preferences. The D30 is also along the same lines as the Schiit in features so could easily be added to the options.

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

AwokenBoiThe HD650 is not as hard to drive as some people make it out to be. It scales quite well with additional investment in gear however. Amps sub $200 that I would look at would be:
O2 - fairly cheap, works with vast majority of gear, always felt a bit "lifeless" to me but solid state gear tends to sound pretty similar if the headphones are getting enough power.
Magni 3 versatile with power to spare. Handy if you plan to add planar technology the extra power could come in handy.
Vali 2 - if you want to try some tubes on the cheap, no personal time with this one but I own a Lyr so I am at least familiar with Schiit's hybrid gear.
Left field choice: Dragonfly Red - I don't have personal experience with this one but my 1.2 has been wonderful. The 1.2 provides almost enough power for my HD650 and the Red has more power on tap while also allowing MQA if Tidal is your thing.

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

ElectronicVicesOk, thank you !

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

ElectronicVicesMany people won't hear the differences between those options or even their onboard sources, which is fine. Some will though, and it sucks to be a noob in this hobby because there's no easy way to know if you're going to be one of those golden ears.

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

DubharmonicTrue !

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

DubharmonicThis is why my friends like coming over and checking out gear. The aforementioned buddy decided he didn't need a crazy headphone setup but really likes his 6XX on a dragonfly 1.2. I've got another pair of friends coming over tonight to check out more of my gear. They've both picked up HD650's and are a bit more rabid for headphone goodness.

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

ElectronicVicesThat's cool and all, but very few people new to this have friends with entry level setups much less mid to high level. It always drove me nuts wondering where diminishing returns would be for me personally. Don't you guys feel that way too?

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

DubharmonicI don't think that feeling ever really goes away for some. I would love to know a friend with either the PS Audio Stellar GCD or the Mytek Brooklyn+ but sadly I don't know anyone that plays in that bracket of audio enthusiasm. In the end there is always going to be a risk that the more expensive gear just isn't worth it (to you). This is why I don't recommend anyone go too crazy too fast. Make changes slowly so you can appreciate (or not) any differences as your signal chain evolves. Let your ears be your guide, everyone has a different set of those as well as budget.

Jul 7, 2018

ElectronicVicesMy point being that our ears can't be our guide until we get to hear.

Vote

Jul 7, 2018

DubharmonicLots of places offer return policies (not here obviously) so if one is unsure buy from a place that will let you return it. And I'm agreeing with you while adding the caution to newbies to not go outlay a large sum of money on gear that they've never heard on a whim. Don't go from say a pair of M50's on your motherboard audio to an HD800S with a Woo Audio WA22 headphone amp and an Yggdrasil. That same person may have been fully satisfied with an HD6XX and a schiit or topping setup but jumped straight to the "top" because of what they read online.

Vote

View Full Discussion

PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones

$199

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee Headphones

$169

Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X Gaming Headset

$99

Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones

$149

Massdrop x Koss Porta Pro X Headphones

$29

Drop + EPOS PC38X Gaming Headset

$169

Massdrop x Koss KSC75X On-Ear Headphones

$20

Massdrop x Meze 99 Noir Closed-Back Headphones

$199

Drop + EPOS PC38X Yellow Gaming Headset

$139

Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors

$79

Trending Posts in Audiophile

Simthaniel

Rigs

Modded headphones with qudelix at the core

When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...

Apr 14, 2024

Rigs

brothamike

A decent set of IEMs

I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...

Apr 12, 2024

Photos

merrick97

Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?

I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.

Apr 11, 2024

General

LostnAmerica

Sound Signature of the Grell Project.

Wondering what type of sound signature the Drop Grell project headphones will have or trying to attain. Any update would be appreciated.

Apr 8, 2024

Questions

Fabulous

Looking for a gaming/content audio setup

Hello! I'm looking for recommendations on audio setups. I'd be planning on using it mostly for gaming. Preferably I'd like a pair of large closed back headphones since I have a big head and jaw. I'd also like to hear myself through my mic with mic monitoring. As far as budget goes, I don't really have one. But under 600$ would be nice. I can go higher if needed. The audio setup would be connected to a high performance PC. Thank you in advance for any recommendations!

Apr 4, 2024

Questions

1plsd

$10 Drop Coupon Email not sent?

Trying to buy some gear off Drop for the first time. I was told I would receive an email with a welcome to drop $10 off promo. I never received that email. Drop was able to send me emails for my login token and email for Password update. But for some reason the $10 off coupon was never sent to me.

Mar 31, 2024

Questions

Vote

NMPacella

New here

Hello, I just joined, primarily for the audiophile products. Looking at purchasing the NHT C3 speakers for our new living room. Space is about 15 feet wide by 33 long and they will fire long ways. Space is just for general listening, music room with all equipment is downstairs, so hoping they will fill it with sound nicely. Cheers.

Mar 18, 2024