DAC/AMP recommendations

[Slickrr13]

Hello everyone,

I am ignorant in regards to audio so please bare with me.

I recently purchased the HD6XX and the TH-X00 from mass drop. 

So now I need to grab an AMP and a DAC.

I tend to like a slightly warmer sound, so Tube amps seem like a good option for me, but a solid state amp  would work for me as well.

I am just starting out and will likely buy more DAC/AMPS in the future, but for now I need a good starter DAC/AMP

Everyone seems to like the SCHIIT STACK.

My budget is 200$-300$. 

Any recommendations?

Thanks

[Gungpae]

Hi!

[Max_Settings]

 

[Slickrr13]

Let me edit it LMAO, I hit space and enter and it posted the topic LOL

[Slickrr13]

3 minutes ago, Max_Settings said:

 

 

4 minutes ago, Gungpae said:

Hi!

Fixed lmao

[Max_Settings]

Just now, Slickrr13 said:

 

Fixed lmao

Schiit stack is very good, that's why it is popular. For that price range that is probably what I would go with. TH-X00s are not hard to drive, HD6XXs are a bit harder to drive, and do benefit from an AMP. 

[Slickrr13]

3 minutes ago, Max_Settings said:

Schiit stack is very good, that's why it is popular. For that price range that is probably what I would go with. TH-X00s are not hard to drive, HD6XXs are a bit harder to drive, and do benefit from an AMP. 

Yeah that is what I keep seeing. All of the recommended tube amps seem to be double my budget. I just was curious as to if anyone else had alternative recommendations other than the Schiit stack. 

Most likely will go with the Stack.

[Max_Settings]

2 minutes ago, Slickrr13 said:

Yeah that is what I keep seeing. All of the recommended tube amps seem to be double my budget. I just was curious as to if anyone else had alternative recommendations other than the Schiit stack. 

Most likely will go with the Stack.

Best Tube amp for your budget is the Darkvoice 336SE, for $200 when it goes on Massdrop. Then get a Modi 2 for $100. Just note that tube amp get extremely hot. The tubes on the Darkvoice for example can hit 300 degrees so you have to be very careful not to burn yourself or burn your house down.

[Slickrr13]

43 minutes ago, Max_Settings said:

Best Tube amp for your budget is the Darkvoice 336SE, for $200 when it goes on Massdrop. Then get a Modi 2 for $100. Just note that tube amp get extremely hot. The tubes on the Darkvoice for example can hit 300 degrees so you have to be very careful not to burn yourself or burn your house down.

Is it okay to just leave it sitting on the table if it gets that hot? 

Odds are I will get a tube amp eventually, I just have to decide which  type of amp I buy first. For a slightly warmer sound would you recommend the Darkvoice versus the stack? I do not mind going over my budget if I need too. 

 

[Max_Settings]

1 minute ago, Slickrr13 said:

Is it okay to just leave it sitting on the table if it gets that hot? 

Odds are I will get a tube amp eventually, I just have to decide which  type of amp I buy first. For a slightly warmer sound would you recommend the Darkvoice versus the stack? I do not mind going over my budget if I need too. 

 

Yes, it's only the tube part that gets that hot. The rest of the units is only a little over 100 degrees. Yes the Darkvoice would be warmer than the Magni 2 part of the Stack, but if you get the Darkvoice you also need to get a DAC, so get the Modi 2.

[spwath]

32 minutes ago, Slickrr13 said:

Is it okay to just leave it sitting on the table if it gets that hot? 

Odds are I will get a tube amp eventually, I just have to decide which  type of amp I buy first. For a slightly warmer sound would you recommend the Darkvoice versus the stack? I do not mind going over my budget if I need too. 

 

Don't get the Darkvoice. Its stupid. A tube amp trying to be... dark.

 

Get the Schiit Vali 2, or the Valhalla 2. Great amps. I personaly use a Valhalla 2 with HD650 (same as 6xx) and TH-X00

[Slickrr13]

1 hour ago, Max_Settings said:

Yes, it's only the tube part that gets that hot. The rest of the units is only a little over 100 degrees. Yes the Darkvoice would be warmer than the Magni 2 part of the Stack, but if you get the Darkvoice you also need to get a DAC, so get the Modi 2.

I will definitely keep my options open to that. I might reply to this topic and ask a few more questions before I buy them. That will be around mid to late October. I appreciate your input.

 

40 minutes ago, spwath said:

Don't get the Darkvoice. Its stupid. A tube amp trying to be... dark.

 

Get the Schiit Vali 2, or the Valhalla 2. Great amps. I personaly use a Valhalla 2 with HD650 (same as 6xx) and TH-X00

What does the Vali or Valhalla have that makes them better than the dark voice? I would like actual evidence instead of

" This one is better because I said so".

I am sure they are wonderful, but I need to know if it is worth it compared to the darkvoice.

[spwath]

1 minute ago, Slickrr13 said:

I will definitely keep my options open to that. I might reply to this topic and ask a few more questions before I buy them. That will be around mid to late October. I appreciate your input.

 

What does the Vali or Valhalla have that makes them better than the dark voice? I would like actual evidence instead of

" This one is better because I said so".

I sure they are wonderful, but I need to know if it is worth it compared to the darkvoice.

I have never heard the darkvoice, but ive heard others impressions. The darkvoice colours the sound too much, trying to make it... dark. From what ive heard, the darkvoice negates most benefits of a tube amp.

 

Ive heard vali 1, and Valhalla 2. Both will have a wider sound stage, and what many refer too as tube "holography". I noticed more bass present in both of them compared to magni 2. Valhalla is like the vali, but everything was just better. So Vali 2 is very good, for the price, like a baby Valhalla.

[Max_Settings]

4 minutes ago, spwath said:

I have never heard the darkvoice, but ive heard others impressions. The darkvoice colours the sound too much, trying to make it... dark. From what ive heard, the darkvoice negates most benefits of a tube amp.

 

Ive heard vali 1, and Valhalla 2. Both will have a wider sound stage, and what many refer too as tube "holography". I noticed more bass present in both of them compared to magni 2. Valhalla is like the vali, but everything was just better. So Vali 2 is very good, for the price, like a baby Valhalla.

The Vali 2 is a Hybrid AMP, not a tube AMP. From what I've heard, it sounds more or less like a solid state.

[Max_Settings]

5 minutes ago, spwath said:

I have never heard the darkvoice, but ive heard others impressions. The darkvoice colours the sound too much, trying to make it... dark. From what ive heard, the darkvoice negates most benefits of a tube amp.

 

Ive heard vali 1, and Valhalla 2. Both will have a wider sound stage, and what many refer too as tube "holography". I noticed more bass present in both of them compared to magni 2. Valhalla is like the vali, but everything was just better. So Vali 2 is very good, for the price, like a baby Valhalla.

Also the Magni has more power than the Vali

[spwath]

Just now, Max_Settings said:

The Vali 2 is a Hybrid AMP, not a tube AMP. From what I've heard, it sounds more or less like a solid state.

From what ive heard with my ears, it sounds like a tube amp.

[spwath]

Just now, Max_Settings said:

Also the Magni has more power than the Vali

That doesn't matter. My vali was never turned above 1/2. Magni has too much power (imo) for the small knob.

[Max_Settings]

2 minutes ago, spwath said:

From what ive heard with my ears, it sounds like a tube amp.

Eh...I have heard both opinions about it, because it’s hybrid

[Max_Settings]

2 minutes ago, spwath said:

That doesn't matter. My vali was never turned above 1/2. Magni has too much power (imo) for the small knob.

Yeah I know it doesn’t really matter unless he’s getting super high end stuff, but was just throwing it out there.

[spwath]

Just now, Max_Settings said:

Eh...I have heard both opinions about it, because it’s hybrid

Ok, well from what ive heard with my ears, and from many other audio people, it has many tube qualities. And, since that doesn't really mean much, it just sounds good.

 

It doesn't sound like a tube amp in the way a cheapish Chinese tube amp will sound bloomy and warm, but a good tube amp shouldn't.

[Dackzy]

1 minute ago, spwath said:

From what ive heard with my ears, it sounds like a tube amp.

it is one of the more SS sounding hybrid amps you can find.

 

Also ohm doesn't equal power needed

Spoiler

TH-X00

HD 6xx

 

 

1 minute ago, spwath said:

but a good tube amp shouldn't.

 

that very much depends on who you ask, there are a lot of people that tube roll the vali 2 to get it warmer

[spwath]

2 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

it is one of the more SS sounding hybrid amps you can find.

 

Maybe, but it doesn't make it not worth buying.

2 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

 

 

that very much depends on who you ask, there are a lot of people that tube roll the vali 2 to get it warmer

Warmer, maybe, but not bloomy and excessively warm

[Dackzy]

Just now, spwath said:

Maybe, but it doesn't make it not worth buying.

 

ofc not, it is a solid little amp.

Just now, spwath said:

Warmer, maybe, but not bloomy and excessively warm

 

Well I can see how some people would like that, but yes not overly bloomy.

TBH I first think tube amps become "fun" once you hit the feliks elise, but that is prob just more a personal thing. Also nice to see you again  

 

Anyways back to my slumber

[Max_Settings]

29 minutes ago, Dackzy said:

it is one of the more SS sounding hybrid amps you can find.

 

Also ohm doesn't equal power needed

  Reveal hidden contents

TH-X00

HD 6xx

 

 

that very much depends on who you ask, there are a lot of people that tube roll the vali 2 to get it warmer

Finally found something we agree on bud ?

[Max_Settings]

38 minutes ago, spwath said:

Maybe, but it doesn't make it not worth buying.

No it’s still worth buying, it just really doesn’t sound like a tube AMP. The Darkvoice sounds far more like a tube AMP than the Vali ever will because it’s an actual tube AMP, where the Vali is a hybrid.