[Level_Zer0]

Hello good people
I've just ordered the Massdrop HD6xx along with Monolith Liquid Spark amp.
This is my first time dabbling in audiophile grade headgears.
Currently i have a Focusrite 2i4 which goes into JBL LSR305s and for headphones i have "HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headsets ( )
Now what i need to know is that is it okay to run the HD6xx off of the 2i4 going to the amp then the headphones? Or will i benefit significantly from getting a standalone DAC ? i can spend about 100-150 USD max for a separate DAC if it comes to it.
If a DAC is indeed worth it then kindly suggest a few in my price range please.

 

[PurpleAngel]

PC > 2i4 > Monolith > headphones.
PC > 2i4 > LSR305
Assuming you run 2 1/4" TRS plug to 1/4" TRS plug cable, between the 2i4 and LSR305.
And RCA to RCA, between 2i4 and Monolith.
Nice thing about the 2i4, it comes with several line-outputs and gives you a balanced connection, with the LSR305.
If you replaced the 2i4, with a regular DAC, you would need to connect the LSR305, to the un-balanced line-output (RCA) on the monolith.

 

[Level_Zer0]

PC > 2i4 > Monolith > headphones.
PC > 2i4 > LSR305

yeah 2i4 connected with th lsr305 with 1/4 TRS (not balanced tho)
Will have to use the RCA out from 2i4 to feed into the monolith.

 

[PurpleAngel]

yeah 2i4 connected with the lsr305 with 1/4 TRS (not balanced tho)
Will have to use the RCA out from 2i4 to feed into the monolith.

A 1/4" TRS to 1/4" TRS cable connected between the 2i4 and LSR305 would be a balanced connection.
A 1/4" TS to 1/4" TS cable would be an un-balanced connection.
And there is a switch (Input Sensitivity) on the back panel of the LSR305, which needs to be set to +4 dBu for balanced (TRS) plug and to -10 dBu for the un-balanced (TS) plug (page 11 of manual).
How is your's set?

 

[Level_Zer0]

A 1/4" TRS to 1/4" TRS cable connected between the 2i4 and LSR305 would be a balanced connection.
A 1/4" TS to 1/4" TS cable would be an un-balanced connection.
And there is a switch (Input Sensitivity) on the back panel of the LSR305, which needs to be set to +4 dBu for balanced (TRS) plug and to -10 dBu for the un-balanced (TS) plug (page 11 of manual).
How is your's set?

Okay my bad. i'm using TS cables, so, unbalanced. The switch is at -10 dB.
Thanks for the info. it will come handy if i ever switch to balanced cables.