Any recommendations for a DAC/AMP for headphone use from PC?

NAD haven't disclosed much info about that amp at all.

the NAD D 1050 is a much better headphone amp.

NAD D 3020 is a decent speaker amp but the headphone part is lacking from what i have read on head fi, etc.

If you don't use speakers then get the D 1050. If you do and then your set on getting a NAD then look at the far more expensive D 7050.


D 1050

USB 24/192 DAC
Asynchronous 24/192 USB input
2 x Optical, 2 x Coaxial SPDIF Inputs
Balanced XLR and Single Ended Outputs
Discrete High Performance Headphone Amplifier
Remote Power Supply



D 3020 Hybrid Digital™ Amplifier

2 x 30W @ ≤0.005% THD, >100W Dynamic Power @ 4 Ohms
aptX Bluetooth Music Streaming
Supports bit rate/sample rate up to - 24/192 (via Digital Audio input) up to 24/96 (via Computer/Type B USB input)
Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs, analog inputs
Subwoofer Output
Bass EQ setting
Separate Headphone Amplifier
Wireless Remote



D 7050 Direct Digital Network Amplifier

2 x 50W @ 0.00% THD
Wi-Fi (WPS) and wired Network connections
Apple Airplay and DLNA media streaming
aptX Bluetooth music streaming
Spotify Connect
Supports bit rate/sample rate up to - 24/192 (via Digital Audio input) up to 24/96 (via Computer/Type B USB input)
Optical and Coaxial Digital inputs
Subwoofer Output
12V trigger Input
High Performance Headphone Amplifier
Wireless Remote


Notice the words high performance are removed from NAD's official spec on the D3020 but are there for the other 2
 
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been really impressed with the O2 dac amp i'm using.
Great device just waiting on the go ahead from Epiphany and I'll be listing them. Shouldn't be too long. I hope.

Gives me chance to sort the rest of the range out with Rjk though.
 
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.:SAmSuNG:. said:
Well I was considering getting a pair of zensor 3's as well. Can't really justify the 7050. Is there anything else I should consider.
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I would get an AUNE T1 (then look into upgrading the tube to one which suits the X1) for sole use with headphones.

Then get a separate amp which you can use the AUNE DAC with for your speaker setup by using the RCA output of the AUNE T1. Which could be anything from a Lepai TA2020+ (£30) to whatever you feel matches those speakers or any other speakers you go for, Topping also make some really good cheap speaker amps I believe (better than Lepai) but then there's others which make better than Topping, but obviously they got more expensive the higher up you go.

I'm currently in the same boat as you, I have X1's, I want a dac/amp and I want a speaker setup in future.

So I'm doing a lot of "research" over at head fi, headfonia, avforums, etc.
 
TwsT said:
been really impressed with the O2 dac amp i'm using.
Great device just wasting on the go ahead from Epiphany and I'll be listing them. Shouldn't be too long. I hope.

Gives me chance to sort the rest of the range out with Rjk though.
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This is another great shout but I think the AUNE T1 offers more for less money as you can tweak the sound (with the use of upgradeable tubes) to specifically suit the X1.

Whereas the O2 is built as an "all rounder" for all headphones basically. The AUNE also is built as an all rounder (stock) but it can be tweaked to suit specific headphones by simply plugging in a different valve (tube / opamp).

I also bare in mind have never ever listened to any of these DAC/AMP's including the NAD D 3020, for all we know it may not sound great for £400 due to it being a speaker amp first and headphone output tacked on, but it could be better than a AUNE T1 simply because it's much more expensive.

All I know is that from all the reading I have done the AUNE T1 sounds the most appealing to me. For you this could vary. You may well not even be able to notice the difference in SQ and just get the NAD D 3020 or it may even be better than an AUNE T1.

Just currently all reading suggests the AUNE T1 is the best in terms of value for money (bang for your buck) for me and that the NAD D 3020 headphone amp isn't that great.

This is where the easy to drive factor comes in, although the headphone AMP on the NAD D 3020 may not be great, the Fidelio X1's are very easy to drive so it doesn't need a great or powerful AMP.

I don't think anyone on head fi has paired a X1 with a NAD D 3020 tbh. I reckon they were pairing the NAD with hard to drive headphones and it really lacks in that department, it's a speaker amp/DAC with headphone output tacked on.

The best thing you could do is buy all 3, O2, NAD and AUNE and send back the 2 you don't like. Failing that go test them somewhere locally.

Nothing will beat first hand experience of all 3 tbh.
 
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Well mrk has the 3020 x1 combo but wanted to try get opinions of a few people. I like the all in one of the nad along with bluetooth which would come in handy.

Thanks you have given me info to work on. Please report back on your decision.
 
.:SAmSuNG:. said:
Well mrk has the 3020 x1 combo but wanted to try get opinions of a few people. I like the all in one of the nad along with bluetooth which would come in handy.

Thanks you have given me info to work on. Please report back on your decision.
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yeah he's the only one, I know of.

plenty of bad reviews on the headphone out of the NAD D 3020 with other headphones on head fi.

that's what is making me think I would be better off saving £250+ and getting a AUNE T1, then upgrading the valve to one which suits the X1's sound.

I think i'm going to give it 3-6 months, save up some cash and buy both the aune T1 and nad d 3020, test them both and then see if I think the nad is worth the extra £250+, if it is i'll keep it, if it isn't i'll send it back and keep the aune
 
.:SAmSuNG:. said:
Rids what specs should I need to check in a dac/amp when paired with the x1's? Got my eye on a nad d 3020i.
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You don't say what you'll be using as a source?

The Fidelio X1 is easy to drive and slightly dark sounding, so ideally you would want something very transparent like the O2 (on low gain) to drive it. However, as your main priority is probably going to be driving the Zensor 3's, the NAD 3020i should do a decent enough job with the X1's and the speakers. I do know that the NAD will sound bad with something like my AKG K702's which seem to be too difficult to drive, so I wouldn't say that the NAD has the strongest headphone amp.
I bought a NAD 3020 27 years ago and it's still running perfectly in my sister's house - those things are built to last.
 
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isn't the nad sound a warm sound?

therefore your just exaggerating the bass? like i say from what i have read the D 3020 is for speakers and the headphone output wasn't really designed to be used as a main output that's what the D1050 is for.

the D7050 is what you want for both headphone and speakers. But it isn't a transparent DAC/AMP it's a warm sound you get from the NAD going off reviews.
 
slightly warm and not very strong but it all depends on what the OP is able and willing to spend. Personally I would use a dedicated DAC/Amp for the headphones and feed the NAD from the line out (which excludes the O2) but that would depend on the source the OP intends using.
 
Space Monkey said:
Ha ha, with the cost of fuel, the milage from outer space certainly adds up :p

I'm just looking into the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro's 250 Ohm, is that the best 990 PRO to pair with the STX?
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When looking for a headphone and a source don't just look at numbers, some of the best pairings have been from combos that were meant to be not that great.

Also depending on the sound you like > I like a slushy, grain free liquid sound. The 990 is dry, a bit colder sounding headphone so if you don't like grainy sounds pair them with something that will lush them up a bit.

X1 are dry, grainy but balanced headphone with some loose bass so I also had to lush them up to make them sound acceptable.

DT770 are syrpy, lush, warm fairly balanced with very well extended bass. I use them on my tubes they turn to sweet honey.

You can run most Beyers though anything but they scale pretty well with better equipment.
 
The OP has already bought an STX for £70 so he's just making sure that the headphones he is considering will work with it. Judging by another thread, I think his current favourite is the X1 (but that may change again) :D
 
Ah ok. Then it's now going to depend on what sound he wants.

Dry or liquid
Warm or cold
Dark or bright
Closed or open
Intimate or spacious
Balanced or a more coloured sound.
 
I've not decided 100%, just want the best I can for my money to pair with the STX :)

I like to be able to hear different instruments, notes etc, clean clear sound with enough tight controlled bass, I don't want a sterile sound and I don't want muddy either, something that makes me enjoy my music?

I'm not sure how much leakage these open cans have as my wife works in the same room, so it's got me thinking I need closed backed but would that destroy any decent sounds, ie the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro's?
 
Open

K612 pro £115-130

Very cheap consideration the sound. Warm, dynamic, balanced excellent soundstage and separation. Not. Too hard to drive but eat a ton a power. A simple Fiio e6 will add some extra power.

I see the X1 recommended left and right but never these that sound better and are built better and AKG have better customer service.

Closed DT770

These are now probably the most recommended phones around after the M50. There's a reason, they've been around longer then a lot of headphones and they are still in production. They are a classic and will always be the most durable headphone ever!

They have the most unusual sound in a fully sealed phone.

They are fully closed BUT have the widest soubdstage I've ever heard in s closed phone, not far off from the 990. They have this amazing separation and dynamics with God like positional accuracy..oh and they thump in the bass. All this shouldn't be possible in a closed phone, let alone one you can get for £90 on Amazon warehouse deals.

I've owned some Hifi monsters

W1000x
Shure 1540
Denon D5000

And have a lot of experience with

HD800
LCD2
T1

And always come back to the 770.
 
Excellent thanks, between yours & rids info, it looks like I'll be getting the DT770 Pro's as that'll help to not disturb the wife, and if you say they're a good listen, then I guess that's that, only question now is, are the 250Ohm's the best pairing with the STX?

Thanks all so far for all the info :)
 
^+1
The 80ohm version is a nice compromise between being easy to drive and enabling a high enough damping factor with the 10ohm STX. Needing a closed headphone was a game changer and I think this is the best you'll get at anywhere near the price.
 
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