[ayk07]

Hi, i am new to dac and amps. i just got my ATH-SJ55 BK  headphones and i want to get a dac amp to get the best out of my headphones. i want one for my desktop, that's why i need a dac with an amp right? i read up a lot and seen reviews but most seem to be over 100 bucks.
 
please recommend me the best one for 60 dollars, max is 70 (without shipping)

 

[Music Alchemist]

  Hi, i am new to dac and amps. i just got my ATH-SJ55 BK  headphones and i want to get a dac amp to get the best out of my headphones. i want one for my desktop, that's why i need a dac with an amp right? i read up a lot and seen reviews but most seem to be over 100 bucks.
 
please recommend me the best one for 60 dollars, max is 70 (without shipping)

 
I don't know enough about DAC/amp combos that cheap to assist you in that department. However...
 
You may benefit from the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ ($30 and up) if you are willing to go for a portable player. I have heard from various sources that it sounds better than the $250 iPod Classic (which I have). To enhance the sound quality and user interface, you can also install Rockbox.
 
At any rate, I'd say you don't really need an amp for those headphones.

 

[ayk07]

how about this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1064785-REG/fiio_e10k_fiio_e10_usb_dac.html ?
 
lets say i can go up to 100 bucks, which one do you recommend? i see that 60 is really low.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  how about this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1064785-REG/fiio_e10k_fiio_e10_usb_dac.html ?
 
lets say i can go up to 100 bucks, which one do you recommend? i see that 60 is really low.

 
The FiiO E10K should do the job nicely.
For something cheaper but decent, the Asus Xonar DG or DGX sound card ($20-$40).

 

[ayk07]

   
The FiiO E10K should do the job nicely.
For something cheaper but decent, the Asus Xonar DG or DGX sound card ($20-$40).

thank you very much. i listen to bunch of different **** from pink floyd to in flames, biggie, buckethead, cant wait to hear the different. also the sj55 are very nice just a bit small for my giant ears an hour or so in

 

[Music Alchemist]

  how about this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1064785-REG/fiio_e10k_fiio_e10_usb_dac.html ?
 
lets say i can go up to 100 bucks, which one do you recommend? i see that 60 is really low.

Check out the AudioQuest DragonFly Version 1.0.
 

thank you very much. i listen to bunch of different **** from pink floyd to in flames, biggie, buckethead, cant wait to hear the different. also the sj55 are very nice just a bit small for my giant ears an hour or so in

 
In Flames is my favorite band! <3

 

[ImAllEars]

How about the Firestone Fireye DA, selling for $60 shipped on Amazon?

 

[Suisou]

Maybe just a DAC? At 48 Ohms, you could potentially hold off on the amp.
 
Either way, I'd recommend the uDAC. 

 

[swannie007]

Right now I am listening to an inexpensive setup in my office consisting of the Schiit Magni amp, Dragonfly v1.2 dac and some Samson HD681 EVO headphones and I've gotta tell you, this combo punches well above it's price! The sound is very mellow, kinda tube like, and a little on the bass heavy side but it is not fatiguing and you could use this combo for hours on end with no fatigue at all. The headphones are very comfortable and the sound is soo smoooooth! I know that this may be just a little above your budget (all up) but the amp/dac combo comes in at about $230.00 and you would be hard pressed to find better sound for this kind of money. If you want to change the sound signature, just change your headphones.
Let me just say at this point that I do know what good sound is (to my ears) and I have nine different amp/dac combos, both solid state and tube amps as well as two hybrid tube/ss amps. I have fourteen different headphones from the Samsons to HD650's, Q701's and custom built phones and a pair of T90's as well. I say this not to brag but to give you some idea of my available equipment, yet I still enjoy the synergy of this inexpensive combo and derive great pleasure from listening to it.   
Another great combo is the Schiit Magni amp with their Modi dac(I've got two of them!). Great value for money and about $200.00 all up. Great sound as well.
You could even look at the for sale forums for a bargain. You would be well advised to spend just a little more and get some gear that will give you many hours of enjoyment as opposed to saving a few dollars and regretting your purchase. The secret to good sound is in the synergy between the equipment in your sound chain. Inexpensive does not necessarily mean bad sound, the inverse is also true, but the key is what sounds good to your ears. I would recommend listening to some different gear before you purchase as we all hear things in different ways and what is good to my ears is not necessarily good to your ears. Go to specialist shops and headphone meets and listen to the gear you have in mind, you may be surprised and end up with something you had not considered until you heard it.
I hope this hasn't confused you too much but opened a door to further curiosity about our lovely hobby. Remember, it's not about the gear, it's about the music! Enjoy. 

 

[Suisou]

 
I hope this hasn't confused you too much but opened a door to further curiosity about our lovely hobby.

 
This forum and hobby is like Pandora's box. 

 

[money4me247]

  This forum and hobby is like Pandora's box. 

 
true that! hahah. veryy comparable to other hobbies such throwing money into a giant pit & lighting it on fire 

 

[swannie007]

true that! hahah. veryy comparable to other hobbies such throwing money into a giant pit & lighting it on fire 

That is somewhat true, but, with our hobby, we can enjoy it any time. We don't have to wait for a certain time of day or certain weather conditions or wear any special clothing or gear and we don't have to feed it or take to a "stealer" to get it serviced.
I think the return on investment in our hobby is quite exceptional. Think about it and you will have to agree.
Cheers.

 

[money4me247]

That is somewhat true, but, with our hobby, we can enjoy it any time. We don't have to wait for a certain time of day or certain weather conditions or wear any special clothing or gear and we don't have to feed it or take to a "stealer" to get it serviced.
I think the return on investment in our hobby is quite exceptional. Think about it and you will have to agree.
Cheers.

mmm... i think that there is two hobbies around here. The first chill hobby is enjoying listening to music. and then there is the second hobby: enjoying buying audiophile equipment. (which is actually more just a shopping hobby)
 
first hobby is chill, fun, totally free, and is actually the point of all this other stuff. in the second hobby, people get a bit out of control and lose sight of the original first hobby. you see some members here w/ crazy long lists of 'audiophile gear' who encourage other people around here to buy more stuff... and then people end up with tons of different headphones, amps, and dacs costing tons of money with no real tangible benefit. you really only have one pair of ears and only a few hours a day to listen to music.
 
you technically don't need so much gear or so much expensive equipment to enjoy your music, but the audiophile myth makes people think that the more you spend on this hobby, the more return you get. I've actually found the opposite to be true. after you hit that $200-500 window for all your gear, it's all ridiculous diminishing returns. but then, i think it is really hilarious that there are some people around here on a budget who end up buying so many different budget tier equipment looking for their sound that it ends up being $1000+ or something ridiculous. might as well just invest in a luxury flagship at that point and forget it.

 

[derbigpr]

If you're using your headphones with a computer and don't need portability, get the Asus Xonar D1 or DX. It definitely sounds better than standalone DAC under 100 dollars.

 

[swannie007]

mmm... i think that there is two hobbies around here. The first chill hobby is enjoying listening to music. and then there is the second hobby: enjoying buying audiophile equipment. (which is actually more just a shopping hobby)

first hobby is chill, fun, totally free, and is actually the point of all this other stuff. in the second hobby, people get a bit out of control and lose sight of the original first hobby. you see some members here w/ crazy long lists of 'audiophile gear' who encourage other people around here to buy more stuff... and then people end up with tons of different headphones, amps, and dacs costing tons of money with no real tangible benefit. you really only have one pair of ears and only a few hours a day to listen to music.

you technically don't need so much gear or so much expensive equipment to enjoy your music, but the audiophile myth makes people think that the more you spend on this hobby, the more return you get. I've actually found the opposite to be true. after you hit that $200-500 window for all your gear, it's all ridiculous diminishing returns. but then, i think it is really hilarious that there are some people around here on a budget who end up buying so many different budget tier equipment looking for their sound that it ends up being $1000+ or something ridiculous. might as well just invest in a luxury flagship at that point and forget it.

Very valid observation. However, not everyone has the cash to invest in a flagship model up front so they buy different gear over time as the funds allow or as the desire for more
Gear strengthens. Still lots of fun to mix and match your different pieces of gear though, I do it all the time. I try to play with all my audio toys, that way, I appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of each particular piece of gear. I do agree that it is defiantly a hobby of diminishing returns once a certain financial threshold has been crossed.