Best/Most versatile Dac/AMPs

[aoaaron]

Hey guys, what is the best bang for buck DAC/AMP?

I have read that the schilt/magni stack is awesome but it doesnt look very portable at all. I was wondering whether there is a DAC/AMP combo which would power the AKG 712s +/- the Bear Dynamic DT 1990s. (I'm now thinking about buying these instead of the X2s)


The X2 is coming out at around £300. For that I think I could get a 712 and a DAC/AMP which could possibly last me a lot longer and give me options to play with other headphones.


Considering
Creative soundblaster E5 (£150)
Audio Engine D1
Filo E17k
Fulla (heard bad things about this one)

 

[aoaaron]

In what way are you viewing the portable element? Running off your phone, or just easily transportable?

Good question! I think mainly so that I can

1. Run it off my ipad in the odd instance
2. Take it upstairs/downstairs to run off my Macbook or PC


Looking at the headphones I am eyeing up, I'm slowly coming to the realisation that open backs just aren't portable at all (they look massive and would look a bit too much in public).

Any recommendations? I think taking it up and downstairs is the big issue for me. I think portablely I've come to the realisation that
1. an open back will be too loud in any public-ish places
2. they will be too big
3. likely it will be too loud to appreciate the headphones in sub-optimal conditions



Likely I'll always be at a desk and near a socket; although if the chargable ones don't offer any negatives, I wouldn't mind getting one instead..

 

[aoaaron]

The Beyerdynamic DT1990 while sounding amazing, doesn't have a huge soundstage like the AKG K712

Ah sorry. I meant the 990s!


I'm quite confused on the DAC situation.

The devices I'd like to use the headphones with will be:

1. Macbook pro (in bed and desk)
2. Ipad (in bed)
3. Nintendo switch (portable mode) and PS Vita
4. Gaming PC/Nintendo Switch/PS4 Pro which are all connected to my Denon AVR via HDMI

My Denon AVR has a headphone output so i assume i just plug the headphones into that? or should i plug the DAC/amp into that output and then those?

Im torn whether I get the Q1 ii dac or the K3 given my uses.

This is so confusing!

 

[aoaaron]

I bought the Q1 ii just for the portability.. altho I'm having second thoughts. I'd like it to be able to play with the Switch.

Can someone please advise me how a amp/dac actually works? what connections go where? Given this one is portable, I'm just thinking how do I get this working with my Denon AVR? Or how do I get it working with my nintendo switch?

Similarly with my switch, which cable goes where?


I'm guessing for my macbook I just connected a USB to micro USB cable to the amp.. and then connect my headphones into the hole in the front?


For my denon AVR, how would i do it?

https://www.google.com/search?q=den...9j69i60j0l2.2582j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Thats the AVR. I'm not sure where I'd plug what into where...