AMP/Soundcard for HD650

Snookums · 17 Mar 2018 at 13:27

Hi there,

Recently obtained some HD650's my soundblaster wasn't cutting it to be perfectly honest so I went and bought a cambridge audio DACMagic PLUS and I'm not overly impressed the sound is ok but quite mushy at points and distorts.

So what AMP/soundcard combo would you recommend or would you simply say an AMP will do the job?

I'm shocked a £350 RRP DAC isn't making these sound amazing maybe a config then?

Any input would be highly appreciated.

Snookums · 17 Mar 2018 at 13:48

Yeah I'm just disappointed in my Cambridge Audio Dacmagic Plus DAC

So what would you recommend Schiit Magni 3?

Snookums · 17 Mar 2018 at 16:45

EsaT said:
For the price its output voltage is certainly disappointing.
Sub 4V to 600 ohms:
http://kenrockwell.com/audio/cambridge/dacmagic-plus.htm#output
Also that output impedance isn't good for low impedance headphones.
Better internal and USB sound cards of Creative give more volts...

Are you using it for gaming or only music listening?

Primarily for music, but gaming secondary.

Snookums · 18 Mar 2018 at 08:49

ethan said:
I'm probably going to shift my D3020 in the MM later in the week as I replaced it with an Audiolab M-Dac. Prior to that I had the DacMagic Plus which I never really liked.

How good is the d3020?

No need for surround it’s a complete gimmick for games anyhow, movies it’s relevant I guess

Snookums · 18 Mar 2018 at 14:51

Marsman for around £300 used what would you suggest.

I want the magni but they’re out of stock constantly

Snookums · 18 Mar 2018 at 19:04

Would you recommend the Magni 2 as the 3 isn't readily available

Snookums · 20 Mar 2018 at 08:08

US had stock so bought from there

Snookums · 20 Mar 2018 at 17:51

$37 dollars,

Worked out as £103

Snookums · 20 Mar 2018 at 22:53

I thought for 137 dollars + customs it’s worth it hopefully I’m not disappointed

Snookums · 26 Mar 2018 at 17:05

jubei said:
My understanding was that you could use optical from sound card to the Modi and keep the surround?

I've just received my Magni 3, I must be stupid but there's no USB in so how do I connect it to my pc?

Snookums · 26 Mar 2018 at 17:21

So would my SoundBlaster SBX suffice as that has the Outputs,

So it will be a red/white cable from this to the inputs of the Magni 3?

Does that make sense? I suspect maybe I need a better DAC.

Snookums · 26 Mar 2018 at 22:37

rids57 said:
I thought that but the Modi Multibit changed my mind, there are no "night and day" differences in the world of DACs but with well recorded music it just sounds better than my Modi 2 - better separation and imaging, more realistic bass, subtle changes but there nonetheless.

I've just bought the Modi 2 to go with my Magni 3 are you saying I should return them both and get the modi multbit?

Snookums · 27 Mar 2018 at 17:30

Thank for you for the input that's very informative.

As much as I could afford £270 for the DAC I will see how my MODI 2 gets on it's got to be better than my Soundblaster external sound card for sound quality.

The amp has been night and day I suspect the DAC won't be but I suspect it should provide more clarity.

Snookums · 27 Mar 2018 at 19:56

Yeah it should be night and day compared to what my soundblaster 5.1 is outputting.