[Desta1972]

Hello, I'm finally the owner of a pair of GRADO sr325e, which I use to drive with my PC, connected to an old Harman/Kardon HK6300. I'm generally happy with the sound, but I'm wondering whether I should buy an external DAC (like a Schiit Modi or iFi ZEN) to gain more detail. I'm not quite sure using an old integrated amp is a good idea, but at the moment I don't want to spend 100 extra bucks for more power. Any suggestion?
Thanks

 

[PurpleAngel]

A Schiit Fulla 3 DAC/amp ($100) would be better for driving the 32-Ohm Grado SR325e headphones.
The H/K HK6300 headphone jack might be giving the SR325e a bloated bass.
The Fulla 3 should also offer a better DAC function, then the PC.

 

[iFi audio]

Hello, I'm finally the owner of a pair of GRADO sr325e, which I use to drive with my PC, connected to an old Harman/Kardon HK6300. I'm generally happy with the sound, but I'm wondering whether I should buy an external DAC (like a Schiit Modi or iFi ZEN) to gain more detail. I'm not quite sure using an old integrated amp is a good idea, but at the moment I don't want to spend 100 extra bucks for more power. Any suggestion?

Although I don't know how good that HK6300's headphone out is, your PC's sound card might be the weakest link. If you don't own a standalone DAC or DAC/amp combo, I't take a look into that. The first such purchase doesn't have to be expensive, but something tells me it would elevate your Grado's performance noticeably enough to appreciate benefits and justify expense

 

[Desta1972]

Although I don't know how good that HK6300's headphone out is, your PC's sound card might be the weakest link. If you don't own a standalone DAC or DAC/amp combo, I't take a look into that. The first such purchase doesn't have to be expensive, but something tells me it would elevate your Grado's performance noticeably enough to appreciate benefits and justify expense

What do you mean for "not expensive"? I have in my Amazon cart both the iFi Zen (170$) and the ridicolous cheaper Fiio K1 (45$). Which price range do you sufggest? I tried the Fiio x3, but somehow I was unable to connect it to my HK amp via the line out (no sound at all, possible reasons?) so I've only tried it as a standalone amp/dac. The result was a colder sound, more detailed but weaker in basses and too much trebles for my Grados. So I decided to give it back and keep going with the motherboard dac + HK amp, with less detail but a warmer sound. Anyway I'd like to have that detail back.

 

[iFi audio]

What do you mean for "not expensive"? I have in my Amazon cart both the iFi Zen (170$)

About $150ish range is what I had on mind. Form our offer it would be either ZEN or hip-dac. Since you have the former in your cart, I wish you good luck with it