Recommended desktop headphone amp

mattius1989

mattius1989

mattius1989

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I've currently got an SMSL SD793 driving a pair of AKG 612 Pro for use with my PC.

DGX to Optical to Amp to 3.5mm to headphones.

I've had a developing issue with the amp lately where it loses the right channel unless I jiggle/press the headphones output just right. It's getting steadily worse. I've tried changing the cables and 3.5mn adapter.

What's the recommended similar amp at the moment to drive my headphones? If needs to be have an optical in.
 
Depends on budget, you could go one of a few ways with this.

Fiio K11 (£120) or Fiio K11 R2R (£150) spring to mind as the obvious answer. USB/Coaxial (in/out)/Optical inputs, single ended (what you're using atm) and balanced headphones out, very clean, lots of power and RCA outputs for speakers.

Under £100 and there are options like the Fosi Audio SK2 (£85) that are well reviewed. Still Optical/USB inputs, clean with reasonable amp etc.

If the budget is higher than more options come into play. Also if the Optical requirement is dropped there is a world of 'dongle' DAC/Amps out there.

One question back why the requirement to keep the DGX? Is that because you're using Dolby Headphone, or something? You have an opportunity to drop the internal sound card and go USB here.
 
Timber said:
Depends on budget, you could go one of a few ways with this.

Fiio K11 (£120) or Fiio K11 R2R (£150) spring to mind as the obvious answer. USB/Coaxial (in/out)/Optical inputs, single ended (what you're using atm) and balanced headphones out, very clean, lots of power and RCA outputs for speakers.

Under £100 and there are options like the Fosi Audio SK2 (£85) that are well reviewed. Still Optical/USB inputs, clean with reasonable amp etc.

If the budget is higher than more options come into play. Also if the Optical requirement is dropped there is a world of 'dongle' DAC/Amps out there.

One question back why the requirement to keep the DGX? Is that because you're using Dolby Headphone, or something? You have an opportunity to drop the internal sound card and go USB here.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.

I've solely been using the DGX for it's optical output and I don't use the Dolby Headphone feature because it sounds muddy/naff. What's the optimal way/equipment to just get an optical out for sound?
 
mattius1989 said:
Thanks for the reply.

I've solely been using the DGX for it's optical output and I don't use the Dolby Headphone feature because it sounds muddy/naff. What's the optimal way/equipment to just get an optical out for sound?
Click to expand...
No worries, I do own the Fiio K11 DAC/AMP - one of four in my setup. So can speak from experience with that recommendation.

I guess for optical either do what you're doing now, or run it from you motherboard if you can. You can also convert USB to optical with something like the Topping D10 but that's an expensive solution and would potentially mean a second box in your setup.

Personally I use USB for both my PCs and only use optical for my TV out and MiSTer. USB is more prone to noise and interference but audio wise is the same (if not better because it has higher bandwidth for those standards that need it). So I suppose the question how much does the setup need optical from the PC?
 
Thanks.

I originally bought this soundcard for it's analogue amplification but I noticed too much noise/interference - it's not a shielded card which likely doesn't help.

I believe the AKG cans I've got need to be paired with a decent amp so if there is a more efficient way to drive them that cuts out an ancient sound card I can certainly explore that.

Do I even need the amp? I haven't tried the onboard sound of my current motherboard and it doesn't have an optical out.
 
mattius1989 said:
I've currently got an SMSL SD793 driving a pair of AKG 612 Pro for use with my PC.

DGX to Optical to Amp to 3.5mm to headphones.

I've had a developing issue with the amp lately where it loses the right channel unless I jiggle/press the headphones output just right. It's getting steadily worse. I've tried changing the cables and 3.5mn adapter.

What's the recommended similar amp at the moment to drive my headphones? If needs to be have an optical in.
Click to expand...
Could open it up and either reflow the solder or replace the headphone connector, just sounds like a physical issue with it.
 
Angst said:
Could open it up and either reflow the solder or replace the headphone connector, just sounds like a physical issue with it.
Click to expand...

As someone who has spent a few weeks in the console repair thread, bit embarrassed I didn't include that suggestion!
 
mattius1989 said:
Thanks.

I originally bought this soundcard for it's analogue amplification but I noticed too much noise/interference - it's not a shielded card which likely doesn't help.

I believe the AKG cans I've got need to be paired with a decent amp so if there is a more efficient way to drive them that cuts out an ancient sound card I can certainly explore that.

Do I even need the amp? I haven't tried the onboard sound of my current motherboard and it doesn't have an optical out.
Click to expand...

Tbh I'd consider changing to a USB connection then you can remove the old Sonar card from the setup. Also remove dependency on drivers. One of the benefits of an external DAC/AMP is you remove the soundcard from the noisy PC case.

And just to be sure, the headphone still works when plugged into something else?
 
Timber said:
Tbh I'd consider changing to a USB connection then you can remove the old Sonar card from the setup. Also remove dependency on drivers. One of the benefits of an external DAC/AMP is you remove the soundcard from the noisy PC case.

And just to be sure, the headphone still works when plugged into something else?
Click to expand...
Yep headphones work fine plugged into anything else.

What should I use for the usb connection? Is it a USB to optical? Thanks.
 
mattius1989 said:
Yep headphones work fine plugged into anything else.

What should I use for the usb connection? Is it a USB to optical? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Depends on the DAC/AMP but a lot of the newer ones are USB-A (PC) to USB-C (DAC/AMP), some of the older ones use USB-B on the DAC side. Some like the Fiio K11/R2R will have their own power supply and only use USB for data. Other like the Fosi SK2, or Creative Soundblaster will use USB for both power and data.

So basically USB to USB. Windows 11 might need a UAC 2.0 driver, but Linux and PS4/5 are driverless.
 
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Timber said:
Tbh I'd consider changing to a USB connection then you can remove the old Sonar card from the setup. Also remove dependency on drivers. One of the benefits of an external DAC/AMP is you remove the soundcard from the noisy PC case.

And just to be sure, the headphone still works when plugged into something else?
Click to expand...

Although I had a great sound card (AE5), it was also great to clean up some air flow in the case. I bought a G8, the sound quality is just as good, but it also gives me more versatility so that I can use my headphones with everything else in my setup. The G8 seems particularly flexible in how you can use it.
 
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I'd also through in the suggestion of the lovely little XDuoo MH-02 Tube Amp. USB-C Dac. Nice little unit and great sounding.
 
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