[georgelai57]

Hi guys, I bought a Sennheiser HD600 today on impulse, just after getting a Beyer DT880 250 ohms a week ago. This adds to my collection of Grado SR325iS, ATH-M50, ATH-AD700, AKG K550, etc. My music is predominantly rock, Blues, R&B and are usually from my iMac in Lossless and 320. I have an Audioengine D1, Fiio e10 and for portability, a Fiio e11. I feel my rig could do with another DAC/amp (combo or separates) that does not need to be portable and ideally for my top 4 cans - HD600, 325, 550 and 880. Could you guys help with a couple of recommendations for different price levels? Say up to $300, up to $500, and up to $999? Thanks in advance.

 

[hodgjy]

For those cans, I'd say Schiit Asgard.
 
If you want to spend more money for the sake of spending money, you certainly can.  But I can honestly say my Asgard is 95% of the amp my $1500 tube amp is.  We pay big money for that extra 5%.
 
Others to look into are the Heed Canamp, Matrix M-Stage, HiFiMan EF5, and Woo Audio WA6.

 

[georgelai57]

Yes I did have in mind the Asgard as a possibility but their DAC is rather expensive.

 

[hodgjy]

You don't need the Bifrost.  The ODAC or HRT Music Streamer II should be more than sufficient.

 

[mikeaj]

So can you articulate what's missing or wrong with the Audioengine D1 and FiiO E10?  For that matter, how are the output levels?  Are both loud enough with the DT 880s?
 
None of these headphones need a lot of current to achieve high volumes (though the DT 880 250 ohms and HD 600 need a couple or few volts to get very loud), so whatever you get, you just need something that works well at those relatively modest output levels (performance at 100mW or 2W or whatever is irrelevant, not to mention the ability to go that far).  That said, many OTL tube amps would be a bad idea for the Grado and AKG.
 
If you want some new DAC/amp combo, for whatever reason, you can get the Leckerton Audio UHA-6S.MKII for just under $300.

 

[georgelai57]

Oh there's nothing really missing with the D1 or the e10 but man can't live by bread alone. For the DT880 and HD600, the e10 needs to be on high gain. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Brooko]

I have the HD600, DT880 (600 ohm), woodied 325i (fwj), and also a K701.
 
For a desktop set-up, with a decent dac and powerful amp (has no problems with the 600ohm Beyers or the K701) - I'd recommend the Audio-gd NFB-12.1.  It has a slightly warmish, but very full bodied sound to it.  When comparing to my old entry level dac/amp (E7+E9) - it made them sound thin and lifeless in comparison.
 
For a sub $250 set-up, it represents very good value IMO.
 
Best part for me has been the inputs and line level dac output.  I've since added an LD MKIV to the mix - and can simply use the NFB-12 dac with the LD when I want some "tube magic".
 
I use optical connection from my PC.  I did find that with USB, the treble appears slightly rolled off.  Others have noticed same.  NFB-15 is also available.  Apparently it has a better USB implementation.  Haven't heard it though.
 
Hope this helps with another option.

 

[Lorspeaker]

yaa....a tube or hybrid amp would add a new flavor to alll your cans.
LDMk3 or 4 or 4se...hifiman EF5..Musical Fidelity Xcan V3...Lyr..
whichever one u can get a Steal$$ on.

 

[georgelai57]

Quote:

I have the HD600, DT880 (600 ohm), woodied 325i (fwj), and also a K701.
 
For a desktop set-up, with a decent dac and powerful amp (has no problems with the 600ohm Beyers or the K701) - I'd recommend the Audio-gd NFB-12.1.  It has a slightly warmish, but very full bodied sound to it.  When comparing to my old entry level dac/amp (E7+E9) - it made them sound thin and lifeless in comparison.
 
For a sub $250 set-up, it represents very good value IMO.
 
Best part for me has been the inputs and line level dac output.  I've since added an LD MKIV to the mix - and can simply use the NFB-12 dac with the LD when I want some "tube magic".
 
I use optical connection from my PC.  I did find that with USB, the treble appears slightly rolled off.  Others have noticed same.  NFB-15 is also available.  Apparently it has a better USB implementation.  Haven't heard it though.
 
Hope this helps with another option.

 
Hi, Other than the K701 (which I'm aiming for), we have almost the same set of headphones. I'll certainly look into the Audio-gd. Thanks
 

 

[georgelai57]

Update - I've just taken delivery of the ADL by Furutech GT40 and expecting to receive the Headstage Arrow next month. Thanks to the suggestions and recommendations earlier, guys.