External DAC Recommendation

PHazlington

PHazlington

PHazlington

Associate
Joined
3 May 2013
Posts
373
Location
Windsor, Berks
Hi folks,

Based on Marsman's suggestion and some extensive research, I will be getting a pair of AKG K550s to replace my Dullcandy Hesh 2.0.

Obviously, using on-board audio with pair of headphones such as the K550s is a very bad idea (especially as it's a realtek chip, ew). As a result of this, I've been thinking about an external DAC (was looking at a soundcard but after some research, I found that they are utterly pointless as they are subject to interference from within your case). I was looking at the Topping TP30 - I like this because it has a FRONT 3.5mm port and volume control.

Can anyone point me in the right direction if I am going for the wrong product?

Thanks,
PHazlington :)
 
I would advise against the TP30, unless you want amp for passive bookshelf speakers as well. The problem is that any mini T amp that has speaker terminals, means that first and foremost it is a speaker amp; the headphone out is a convenience and in most cases, an afterthought. I've got a TP21, which has a headphone out, and the quality is sterile. Great for powering my speakers, not for my headphones. I was getting hassle with my sound card in my main use PC, so I dumped it and bought a Topping D2; which is a DAC/headphone amp.

There are other options depending on what you want to pay. Aune X1 or T1, if you want a tube amp. If you want to keep to under £100, the D2 is a good choice for £85. FiiO has a range of good choices as well; especially if you want something that is portable.

Sound cards are still a good option for some people, and although I do have a Xonar Essence in my HTPC, I wouldn't buy a sound card again.
 
PHazlington said:
The FiiO E10 looks like a suitable option. Any good?
Click to expand...

FiiO stuff is generally pretty good (I use the E7 at work). If you were willing to go up the price scale a bit the Epiphany Acoustics EHP-O2D is reckoned on being outstanding (I have the DAC only E-DAC, which is excellent).
 
gregorius said:
FiiO stuff is generally pretty good (I use the E7 at work). If you were willing to go up the price scale a bit the Epiphany Acoustics EHP-O2D is reckoned on being outstanding (I have the DAC only E-DAC, which is excellent).
Click to expand...

I can certainly agree that the E-DAC and EHP-O2D look outstanding specs wise. I ordered the EHP-O2D from the only UK stockist today but I’m expecting a small lead time as I think they build them to order.

The E-DAC has the rear RCA ports as an extra bonus over the reference ODAC design. These are nice for hooking up to amplified speakers or separate amplifier.

FiiO E10, E07K and the E17 are great, especially for the price. The only issue I have with the E17 is the screen never goes to sleep in operation which could cause premature wear to its OLED screen.
 
Interesting discussion as I have been thinking about getting one myself. I do have one question for the DAC users here. Do you not miss having some control over the music equalization? I know that music should be listened to as it was recorded, but sometimes it is nice, if say listening to some dance music, to crank the bass and high mids up.
 
I am looking for one of these too, to go with my 550's as it happens aswell! onboard sound with these is disgusting and muddy. I have been looking at this Audinst HUD mx2. I'm on a hackintosh so limited to something that works with both os's.

Will a DAC give me a slight more volume than my onboard?
 
It will if you get a DAC/headphone amp. A DAC by itself won't as is it's just signal converter with line level output to either a headphone amp, or speaker system.
 
PapaLazaru said:
Interesting discussion as I have been thinking about getting one myself. I do have one question for the DAC users here. Do you not miss having some control over the music equalization? I know that music should be listened to as it was recorded, but sometimes it is nice, if say listening to some dance music, to crank the bass and high mids up.
Click to expand...

Media players like VLC have a graphic equalizer (and a few other tricks) built in.
 
spotify has equalize a free addon to preset some nice eq presets. I recommend the arcam rpac for hifi but not for headphones - I've heard way better headphone amps for not much more money such as the cheapest fostex.
 
Ahh yeah, just discovered VLCs EQ. It's pretty good!
Also, my Dad just handed me a (somewhat) retro PCI soundblaster audigy from a pretty old PC he built, possibly pre 2000, and it sounds better than the on-board audio on my P8Z77-V LX2. I can hear frequencies that I couldn't pick up with the 'real'tek chip and it's just generally a bit more crisp and doesn't top out at higher volumes. All of this with a pair of DullCandy Hesh 2.0.
I'm also enjoying toggling the EQ in VLC listening to some Led Zep.
The only problem I have with VLC for music is that the interface is horrible and really hard to use (for music). After a bit of research, I found this: http://www.windows8downloads.com/win8-graphic-equalizer.html
Thought it might be of use to a couple of you :)

PHaz
 
Also, for me, it has to be a graphic equaliser because I really, really hate presets. They (in my mind) never quite compliment the music type they are supposed to :(
 
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