[Spec] USB DAC/AMP Help needed please.

mingey · 25 Mar 2016 at 11:30

Hey a little help if you have the time please.

Firstly what I have : http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5281#ov

Using that motherboard's onboard sound, don't have room for a sound card as SLI + PCIE m.2. card takes up all available slots, which isn't the end of the world, sound isn't bad, I mainly game, Edifier R1600T monitors and some Superlux HD668B, again nothing remotely special adequate etc.

What I was hoping to do would be get a USB Dac/Amp that would drive the Speakers and Headphones, I want to upgrade the monitors, but the headphones I'm happy with as for the money they sound great, and I mainly listen through the speakers, headphones with a logitech desk mic for when I game with friends etc.

Hopefully you get what Im after, but I would welcome some recommendations on the best way to do this and even some Speaker suggestions if this is all possible, and frankly would it sound better than the current setup etc.

Oh and if its possible with a Tube Amp would be even happier as for no special reason I just love the glow from those, hence I'm trying to get the wife to get me a Nixie clock kit for xmas, have to start early with her

EDIT : Would like to do this for £250 ish, less is better, but what will be, will be.

rids57 · 25 Mar 2016 at 15:51

Schiit Modi 2 (£95) + Schiit Vali 2 (£150)

The Vali 2 has pre-amp outputs so you can adjust the volume of your speakers using it's volume control. The amp automatically switches to headphone output when headphones are connected.

mingey · 26 Mar 2016 at 09:58

Thanks for the recommendation, I had read good things regarding the Schiit equipment, would you say that I would get a noticable difference in sound quality though, or are we talking minor improvements etc ?

rids57 · 26 Mar 2016 at 14:37

There will be improvements but you may need better headphones to make the most of them as your Superlux are not the most resolving.
Honestly speaking, once you are at a level where you have a half decent DAC and amp the only improvements you are going to see are going to be subtle.
I would say that with your current gear, any differences will more than likely be fairly small but they will be there. However, if you got the Schiit stack, you would be set up for using much better and more expensive gear further down the line, when you are able and willing to invest in better speakers and headphones.
By far the biggest difference you will find in audio gear comes from the transducer, whether that be your speakers or headphones, that's where buying better quality will bring much more noticeable improvements.

TheVoice · 29 Mar 2016 at 22:29

Topping VX1 is also worth a look, I've had mine for a year now and it's been great.

Straz · 30 Mar 2016 at 02:34

Price/Performance upgrade the Headphones and Speakers before you even think about spending money on an Amp/DAC.

mingey · 14 Apr 2016 at 00:14

Cheers for the replies, I've been eyeing up a pair of AKG 702 for headphones, not sure about desktop speakers, but the schiit combo seems a done deal too after a little research.