External DAC Recommendation

PHazlington · 13 Feb 2014 at 21:26

Actually, I flipped the little switch on the bottom of the unit labelled 'gain' from high to low and that seems to have decreased the harshness of the treble, it's just a bit quiet :/
So first impressions are pretty good.

PHazlington · 13 Feb 2014 at 21:28

Thanks everyone for the help and advice, you guys are fab!

PHazlington · 26 Feb 2014 at 20:56

Got the K550s today and they are just fantastic.

Noxia · 27 Feb 2014 at 09:24

niko said:
have a look at maverick audio tubemagic d1.
its fantastic value and great sound quaility

Looking at these myself, shame they are import only though.

IC3 · 27 Feb 2014 at 11:13

I can't be bothered to read all the pages, but have a look at HA Info U2 Plus. Its an dac/amp hybrid... If you can pay a bit more O2 Dac would also be good.

PHazlington · 28 Feb 2014 at 15:05

It's alright man, I already bought one.

niko · 28 Feb 2014 at 22:07

Noxia said:
Looking at these myself, shame they are import only though.

i had no issues importing, good comms and delivery not to slow. Its a great dac

PapaLazaru · 28 Feb 2014 at 22:58

I am toying with the idea of getting one. Pound for pound, are these better value than a soundcard? I've got a Xonar DG, but I like the idea of having volume control on my desk.

Noxia · 2 Mar 2014 at 10:50

niko said:
i had no issues importing, good comms and delivery not to slow. Its a great dac

Oh I have no issues with it, just a shame as I really wanted one I could get next day when I was looking. As heaadphones are the only listening device I use I think I'd go for the D1 base model with the OPA627 OpAmp upgrade.

Marsman · 2 Mar 2014 at 12:45

PapaLazaru said:
I am toying with the idea of getting one. Pound for pound, are these better value than a soundcard? I've got a Xonar DG, but I like the idea of having volume control on my desk.

Yes and no. A DG costs a mere £20 or so; a DAC/headphone amp just can't compete with that for value. If you are talking about more expensive sound cards though, then yes they can. Unless you have sound card issues, or need to get rid of a sound card because of placement of lack of slots, then a DAC/HP amp would be ideal. If your sound card is working well and you are happy with it, I'd stick with it. If you are itching to spend some cash, and are considering dumping £100 on a sound card, then getting a DAC/amp instead is well worth considering.

TALON1973 · 4 Mar 2014 at 21:06

depending on how much your spending on equipment , I'd go headphones / head amp . dac.

If your buying quality headphones , a headphone amp is a MUST . The dac will complete it.

ive got sennhieser hd 580 , graham slee srg 11 , arcam irdac

PapaLazaru · 4 Mar 2014 at 22:25

Well I have a Xonar DG and a set of Creative Aurvana Live 2 headphones. I would love some boost and most importantly desktop volume control ( have removed the shoddy cable that came with them with inline volume as it is crap and repaced it with a good cable). Funds are tight though.

C64 · 4 Mar 2014 at 23:52

PapaLazaru said:
Well I have a Xonar DG and a set of Creative Aurvana Live 2 headphones. I would love some boost and most importantly desktop volume control ( have removed the shoddy cable that came with them with inline volume as it is crap and repaced it with a good cable). Funds are tight though.

Fiio E6 is worth the £20

PapaLazaru · 5 Mar 2014 at 12:22

C64 said:
Fiio E6 is worth the £20

I did look at that but I would like a volume knob. Might give the Topping NX1 a go for £25.00.

C64 · 5 Mar 2014 at 19:15

It has got volume on it just not a knob ,the only reason to get a dac is if you got noise or hum / hiss on your soundcard or are incredibly ocd about clarity otherwise just a headphone amp is needed.Topping NX1 does look good if you can get for £25 though.

When looking at a dac I'd make sure it can do 96khz 24 bit via usb or whats the point.

PapaLazaru · 6 Mar 2014 at 11:15

C64 said:
It has got volume on it just not a knob ,the only reason to get a dac is if you got noise or hum / hiss on your soundcard or are incredibly ocd about clarity otherwise just a headphone amp is needed.Topping NX1 does look good if you can get for £25 though.

When looking at a dac I'd make sure it can do 96khz 24 bit via usb or whats the point.

Ordered the amp for £21.99 being shipped from The Netherlands. It is odd though as the same seller also ships it from the UK but for £121.99. :confused:

I thought it might be a price error but I have had confirmation it has shipped.

C64 · 6 Mar 2014 at 21:01

PapaLazaru said:
Ordered the amp for £21.99 being shipped from The Netherlands. It is odd though as the same seller also ships it from the UK but for £121.99.

I thought it might be a price error but I have had confirmation it has shipped.

rip off britain mate taxes etc be interested to hear your thoughts on it seems like a bargain