I needed a new audio setup and was wondering about some things. First, is it worth getting a DAC that supports DSD512 and the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO headphones? If so, which DAC would you recommend and are there better headphones for around the same price I should investigate?
DSD512 DAC and beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO
- Thread starter Cromulent
- Start date
Personally if you're forking out for headphones and DAC/HPA then I would opt for a balanced (XLR) configuration. As your headphones are close to your ear noise matters. A true balanced output offers noise cancellation, the shielding of the cable isn't the return path for both signals helping reduce noise and increase channel separation.
Balanced headphones simply means the headphones bring the two wires from the speakers to the headphone socket (ie has 4 connectors on the plug). They can be used on normal amps by simply using an adaptor that connects the left and right grounds together. (Note you may be able to use a balanced amp with an unbalanced headphone but this depends on the amp/dac).
DSD512 digital to analogue conversion itself is very simple, there's no expensive low tolerance resistor ladders etc. Additionally most seem to be based on the same IC chips leaving power supply and PCB layout being the only hardware differentiator. Accuracy of clocking is important as DSD512 data streams at 24MHz this also means a good DSD streaming device such as a PC running a DSD capable streaming software. A fast USB connection would be paramount - USB3.0 etc.
Transcoding from PCM->DSD (ie SPDIF->DSD) means degradation of sound.
I'm designing/building a balanced HPA with DSD capable DAC. I was thinking of 660S or Grado for balanced headphones. However given the cost I would audition the headphones as they each have their own sounds.
Topping is one of best regarded, you could look at Audio Science Review. They get a little audio-nuts on the details but they do provide some semblance of objective measurements using professional audio test gear. However nothing like listening yourself.
Balanced headphones simply means the headphones bring the two wires from the speakers to the headphone socket (ie has 4 connectors on the plug). They can be used on normal amps by simply using an adaptor that connects the left and right grounds together. (Note you may be able to use a balanced amp with an unbalanced headphone but this depends on the amp/dac).
DSD512 digital to analogue conversion itself is very simple, there's no expensive low tolerance resistor ladders etc. Additionally most seem to be based on the same IC chips leaving power supply and PCB layout being the only hardware differentiator. Accuracy of clocking is important as DSD512 data streams at 24MHz this also means a good DSD streaming device such as a PC running a DSD capable streaming software. A fast USB connection would be paramount - USB3.0 etc.
Transcoding from PCM->DSD (ie SPDIF->DSD) means degradation of sound.
I'm designing/building a balanced HPA with DSD capable DAC. I was thinking of 660S or Grado for balanced headphones. However given the cost I would audition the headphones as they each have their own sounds.
Topping is one of best regarded, you could look at Audio Science Review. They get a little audio-nuts on the details but they do provide some semblance of objective measurements using professional audio test gear. However nothing like listening yourself.
Hmm. I looked up the Sennheiser 660S, and they look good, but I worry that open-backed headphones wouldn't work for me as I live in a loud shared house, so I need some noise cancellation.
I'm still somewhat confused with everything. After a bit of searching, I guess some DT 1770 Pro headphones with the Topping E30 DAC would probably be as good in terms of quality as my hearing can detect.
Minor typo - that should be 5 connectors on plug or 2 seperate plugs.
Just check the dac can drive 250ohm which is what the 1770s are. More impedance = more voltage but less current. Low impedance = low voltage but more current.
ASR's Topping 30 Pro review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...g-a30pro-review-balanced-headphone-amp.20366/
Also there's a far bit of 1770 hate due to the peaks of the headphone (the pro version is 'tamer'): https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ation-for-closed-back-headphones.34475/page-2
So probably worth listening before buying or using the internet 14day no quibble return if they sound harsh/sharp to you.
Just check the dac can drive 250ohm which is what the 1770s are. More impedance = more voltage but less current. Low impedance = low voltage but more current.
ASR's Topping 30 Pro review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...g-a30pro-review-balanced-headphone-amp.20366/
Also there's a far bit of 1770 hate due to the peaks of the headphone (the pro version is 'tamer'): https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ation-for-closed-back-headphones.34475/page-2
So probably worth listening before buying or using the internet 14day no quibble return if they sound harsh/sharp to you.
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