Pimpmaster McGooby
New Head-Fier
I've used a Topping L70 and E70 Velvet for the past year without much issue, however as of late I've heard a lot of "Topping is bad" rhetoric, mostly involving things like a lack of "Spaciousness" and "Transients" (whatever that is).
Now I've never really been too big on the "source gear makes a big difference past a few hundred dollars" philosophy, but I have also come to understand that things that cannot be measured can still have a perceived effect, so my fear is that I am holding back my headphones with poorly matched source components. And frankly, the sheer possibility is itching my brain somewhat. That's why I am now looking into a complete revamp of my source components so I can call it quits on that end and focus on headphones instead.
I have already ordered a Eufonika Model H5DS, which should hopefully serve me well for high impedance dynamic drivers, but I would also like a nice desktop SS-Amp for more sensitive and low-impedance headphones and IEMs (and if the tube sound gets too boring). While also getting a DAC that pairs well with said Amps and a couple specific headphones (HD800S, HD600, ZMF Atrium and Audeze LCD-X), I would especially like to expand the soundstage of the HD800S if such a thing is even possible (I understand that I sound crazy, but people do make such claims).
My short list currently is the Singxer SA-1, as well as the Denafrips Ares 12th-1. But am wondering if I am overlooking some obvious choices, like the Bifrost 2-64 for instance, or if I am being a complete audiophool by even trying to achieve some sort of uplift by swapping out the Topping stack.
As far as Amps go, I would like it to do well with my daily driver, the Sennheiser HD800S and I do intend to get a ZMF Atrium this year, but also drive my IE600s and LCD-X well. I would also like a 4-pin XLR and/or 4.4mm output as I have a lot of cables with those terminations.
For the DAC, I would like one that has both XLR and RCA inputs so that I may switch between the tube amp and Solid State amplifier without having to fumble with connectors. And the 800S+Atrium matching as my main priority.
TLDR: What DAC and Solid State Amp is good for HD800S, ZMF Atrium and potentially LCD-X? DAC budget is around $1000, Amp is around the same, maybe a bit less (on account of Tube amp ownership).
Now I've never really been too big on the "source gear makes a big difference past a few hundred dollars" philosophy, but I have also come to understand that things that cannot be measured can still have a perceived effect, so my fear is that I am holding back my headphones with poorly matched source components. And frankly, the sheer possibility is itching my brain somewhat. That's why I am now looking into a complete revamp of my source components so I can call it quits on that end and focus on headphones instead.
I have already ordered a Eufonika Model H5DS, which should hopefully serve me well for high impedance dynamic drivers, but I would also like a nice desktop SS-Amp for more sensitive and low-impedance headphones and IEMs (and if the tube sound gets too boring). While also getting a DAC that pairs well with said Amps and a couple specific headphones (HD800S, HD600, ZMF Atrium and Audeze LCD-X), I would especially like to expand the soundstage of the HD800S if such a thing is even possible (I understand that I sound crazy, but people do make such claims).
My short list currently is the Singxer SA-1, as well as the Denafrips Ares 12th-1. But am wondering if I am overlooking some obvious choices, like the Bifrost 2-64 for instance, or if I am being a complete audiophool by even trying to achieve some sort of uplift by swapping out the Topping stack.
As far as Amps go, I would like it to do well with my daily driver, the Sennheiser HD800S and I do intend to get a ZMF Atrium this year, but also drive my IE600s and LCD-X well. I would also like a 4-pin XLR and/or 4.4mm output as I have a lot of cables with those terminations.
For the DAC, I would like one that has both XLR and RCA inputs so that I may switch between the tube amp and Solid State amplifier without having to fumble with connectors. And the 800S+Atrium matching as my main priority.
TLDR: What DAC and Solid State Amp is good for HD800S, ZMF Atrium and potentially LCD-X? DAC budget is around $1000, Amp is around the same, maybe a bit less (on account of Tube amp ownership).
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