New usb amp/dac combo needed
- Thread starter peterhc
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I’m using hd660s will this be powerful enough?
Mainly for music.
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Soldato
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Any dice Pete ?
I'm in the same boat, my old dacs seem to have stopped working so am on the look out
I recently purchased the BlasterX GC7 and was not impressed so sent it back
Soldato
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Bingo, this is the conclusion that I'm coming to as well.
LMK us know how you get on
Cheers
Soldato
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Had enough of looking around, for the price point the zen seems to be outstanding
Ordered, will see how good it is but I'm not holding my breathe for any miracles
Ordered, will see how good it is but I'm not holding my breathe for any miracles
Can the Zen DAC V2 be used with a headset / headphones with a mic that are connected to balanced / unbalanced? Also, what is the difference between balanced HP on the front of the device and balanced output on the back of the device?
I have a G6 X but am sort of tempted to see if the Zen DAC v2 sounds any better.
Reviews say the G6 doesnt have enough connectivity options, however on the G6 it has headphone and mic on the front, plus line/optical out and line/optical in on the back.
As far as I can see the Zen DAv v2 has balanced and unbalanced on the front, plus balanced out and RCA on the back. Where is mic and line in connectivity?
Soldato
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This is what I'm worried about ... it's feature rich, has balanced output etc etc ... This is like several hundred quid less that others - S/N ratio doesn't look great so something has got to give.
Will see when it arrives
I sure hope so, I bought the GC7 last week and it was disgusting... straight back into the box and returned I should have known better
Any reason? Never even heard of the GC7, but my G6 does a good enough job powering my Beyerdynamic DT1770s (250Ω)
Soldato
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The power was there, I liked some of the features but the build quality isn't great and more importantly I just didn't like the sound signature
ta. Guess you jsut connect a mic to a soundcard / onboard if one is needed
I agree, the build quality isnt fantastic but mine sits at the back of my desk so never moves. Not sure I would trust throwing it into a travel bag for on the go use either
Sound signature is probably personal preference. When I use mine for music I set direct mode to bypass all the DSP crud
Soldato
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Yep, my bad for being brash but I don't think I ever got on with the ' Soundblaster sound ' - tried flat eq, varying bitrates disabling processing. I was hoping that they may have changed their signature over the years but alas not. As you say it all comes down to personal preference - audio is subjective as we all know.
Anyhoooo the Ifi arrives later today - just hope it's not iffy
Soldato
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What a **** day but will keep it on topic....
Got back home to test the Ifi and a new IEM that I've been eagerly looking forward to from China....
So long story short the Ifi is 'OK', not great, not poor but satisfactory at this price point. I think it represents excellent value for money but is by no means superb or anywhere near it. It's a huge upgrade from onboard sound and yes I found it warmer than the Creative, slightly better than the fiio e10(k).
The bass boost is bloat but I did find a use for it read on....
Here's where things start going wrong. The 4.4mm balanced adapter I bought for it doesn't work so I couldn't test the balanced output - all I could hear was a single channel which if I'm to be honest did sound good.
There are numerous reports of channel imbalance under 10% volume and I concur - this was an initial concern as I listen at around the 25% mark.
You can't control the volume from windows so your hand is constantly on the volume knob - good luck trying to mute as you can't - https://www.reddit.com/r/iFiaudio/c...?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Not having a decent selection of unbalanced 3.5mm IEMs I ended up attaching a cheap KZ with upgraded cable and when used with bass boost actually neutralised the curve which I was surprised with.
Can't comment on the balanced performance due to the dodgy adapter I bought :/
---
Onto the IEMs
The left channel is bust. FML - Good luck trying to return it
Got back home to test the Ifi and a new IEM that I've been eagerly looking forward to from China....
So long story short the Ifi is 'OK', not great, not poor but satisfactory at this price point. I think it represents excellent value for money but is by no means superb or anywhere near it. It's a huge upgrade from onboard sound and yes I found it warmer than the Creative, slightly better than the fiio e10(k).
The bass boost is bloat but I did find a use for it read on....
Here's where things start going wrong. The 4.4mm balanced adapter I bought for it doesn't work so I couldn't test the balanced output - all I could hear was a single channel which if I'm to be honest did sound good.
There are numerous reports of channel imbalance under 10% volume and I concur - this was an initial concern as I listen at around the 25% mark.
You can't control the volume from windows so your hand is constantly on the volume knob - good luck trying to mute as you can't - https://www.reddit.com/r/iFiaudio/c...?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Not having a decent selection of unbalanced 3.5mm IEMs I ended up attaching a cheap KZ with upgraded cable and when used with bass boost actually neutralised the curve which I was surprised with.
Can't comment on the balanced performance due to the dodgy adapter I bought :/
---
Onto the IEMs
The left channel is bust. FML - Good luck trying to return it
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Got an iFi ZenDAC V2 today. I've always been into my standalone hifi and have a nice Thorens/Rega/Naim/Arcam/Quad stack downstairs...but I've just never bothered with my PC setup.....but starting a fully remote job in the next few weeks I've been upgrading my study.
Listening to some tunes on Tidal through the ZenDAC into DT990s. Obviously a massive upgrade from onboard sound, another level entirely. A touch bright, but may just be compared to muddiness of onboard. I can't compare to any other DACs, bar my Arcam CD player, but first impressions are that it's excellent for the money. Not blow your socks off wow hifi, but very good for the money, and frankly, as much as I'd want to spend on PC audio.
Nicely made, solid bit of kit, especially for the price.
Listening to some tunes on Tidal through the ZenDAC into DT990s. Obviously a massive upgrade from onboard sound, another level entirely. A touch bright, but may just be compared to muddiness of onboard. I can't compare to any other DACs, bar my Arcam CD player, but first impressions are that it's excellent for the money. Not blow your socks off wow hifi, but very good for the money, and frankly, as much as I'd want to spend on PC audio.
Nicely made, solid bit of kit, especially for the price.
Mine is on order should be with me on weekend! Will share my thoughts
Mine is on order should be with me on weekend! Will share my thoughts
It has gone up in my estimation now that I've turned on the Power Match, that is supposed to be on for over-ears (especially my 250ohm 990s!). It has gone from good for the money, to excellent for the money, in my book.
Only downside is the laughably short USB cable!