Recommended me USB DAC

Soldato
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I'm currently using my ASUS XONAR STX for music
with my AKG K702 headphones

would like to gain some space in my PC so looking for a usb dac that is superior to a STX

require 6.5mm headphone jack
toslink connector would be handy

budget <500 pounds?
 
Soldato
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To be slightly more helpful, Cambridge Audio DACMagic is very well reviewed at around £300.

For around £160 the EPH-02D is excellent too.

Both have dedicated headphone amps as well.

EDIT: You can just buy the EPH E-DAC for £80, if you dont want the amp. Excellent little USB DAC thats worth far more than its price.

:confused: i have the DACMagic it has no Headphone socket
 
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That would explain it! Gotta be honest, I'd get the EPH E-DAC and save the rest of the money - really does get exceptional reviews.

Could drop the rest of the cash on some HiFiMann HE400s (*drool* :D) and still have cash left over.



Yup.

would it drive my k702 ok?

also it only has a 3.5mm jack i need 6.3mm :confused:

also you sure it should be an upgrade over an stx?
 
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Soldato
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It would most certainly be an upgrade over the STX. A DAC by itself offers no inline amplification, if you amp the K702s atm you will need to amp them DAC (that being said, STX isn't the most powerful amp out there) - if this is the case grab the EHP-02D combo.

You can buy cables from AKG and other retailers that go into a 3.5mm socket - no idea at all why AKG went 6.3mm.


they didn't i remember getting a replacement cable as i broke the original. can easy swap that out :)
 
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had to buy a new cable to as i went to a 6.5mm but its epic build qaulity & sound.

only thing i dont like is:
power cable should be on the back not the front!

it would be to quiet with no amp though so i got the amped version

got mine from a rainforest
186 quid + 7 pound delivery
new akg cable 20 quid

costly but could sell my stx if i wanted now
 
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Soldato
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Can you describe how it is better.

firstly I have the Amp version. so don't now how the unamp version would be.
I needed to adjust the volume knob a little to get good audio volume.
I would say on a clock face 7 clock was loud enough for quiet listening & 9 clock for Loud enough listening especially on high note songs!

ill try to describe it in two ways:

First is Summary Laymans terms:
When I played the first song (in FLAC) my jaw dropped & I instantly shut my eyes to listen out for every fine detail. :D

Detailed as I can:
High Notes - Are Extremely High & extremely Detailed, to the point I had to turn it down (ok I did have it a touch loud :) )

Mids.: Are well delivered & could hear every fine detail from them.

Low: Are Very Good & Very detailed

Bass - Feels much Tighter, More detailed & Extended Bass

Sound: The Sounds Sounded much more realistic. Crisp & Soundstage was marvellous.

I tested this also with TitanFall & Google Music For Sound Positioning & Awareness of Multiple Sounds From different sources.

Setup GoogleMusic @ 100% Volume
Setup TitanFall @ Default (believe its like 90% Master volume)

Played around 5 rounds of various game Modes,

I could hear my music clearly & at the same time hear every person trying to jump on me or get positional advantage.

its hard to describe but it was like They was Both Separate in their own right & it delivered them together Well with the same mount of detail.

I tried at one point to block out audio from the game with my mind and listen to just the music & it still sounded great. :D (do this at lot with people :p)

all in all I spent £240 (with new cable + shipping of both unit & cable)
& will do it again.

Next thing i'm doing: is selling my STX No need for that anymore.

Other things ive in the past
SoundBlaster
AUzentech XFI Merdian
DACMAGIC
Xonar DX
Xonar STX


I believe this sounds better than any of these
this unit: 9.5/10 (lost a point due to power on front & would like a vertical stand to)
STX 7.5-8/10



hope this helps.
 
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