Optimizing my DAC and amplifier?

[Kooldown]

Sup guys.

 

So I recently purchased the Objective2 (https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/store/p27/Objective2_Rear_Power_-_Bamboo.html) Amp and ODAC (https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/store/p8/ODAC_-_Stand_Alone.html) from Mayflower Electronics to improve my audio quality. 

 

I don't know much about audio, but at the time, I was looking to buy a soundcard for relatively the same price as the ODAC and Objective2 combined, so I decided to pick these up instead.

 

So now I have the ODAC and Objective2 set up and I was just wondering if any of you guys can tell me how to optimize the two.

 

Here's the way I have things set up:

 

I have the DAC being powered by USB plugged into the back of my computer in a USB 3.0 port. I then have a generic AUX cord running from the DAC and into the input for the amp. I then have my Sennheiser PXC 450s (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PXC-450-Noise-Canceling-Headphones/dp/B000R2PC2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389752219&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+pxc+450) plugged into the amp's output.

 

I also went into my Sound settings (I have Windows 7) and have things on the ODAC set up like this:

 

 

 

So there's that.

 

Just keep in mind that I'm new to this kind of thing (hence the reason why I'm here asking for help) so if you do offer me assistance, don't get too advanced and technical.

 

Thanks in advance.

[helping]

Stop right there.

 

 

Disable those "enhancements." I'm not sure if the virtual surround "enhancement" even does anything, that's up to you to experiment with, but otherwise turn everything off and leave the sound tweaking to preference by an audio program with EQ functions. 

 

You can leave the default format thingy to plain old CD quality, it won't make a difference. You can turn it up if you want.

[YajirobeFromDC]

just disable all enhancements and set to 24/96 and ur good to go, also set all software volume to max (id recommend foobar as ur player) and use the volume knob on the o2 to control volume level

[needmorewood]

i would disable all those "enhancements" i say that because i dont really thjink they enhance but they distort
the only thing i would change is maybe the EQ for what you're you are listening to

[MayflowerElectronics]

Everything that already has said so far. The o2/ODAC is a really simple setup. It's pretty much plug and play.

[Kooldown]

Stop right there.

 

 

Disable those "enhancements." I'm not sure if the virtual surround "enhancement" even does anything, that's up to you to experiment with, but otherwise turn everything off and leave the sound tweaking to preference by an audio program with EQ functions. 

 

You can leave the default format thingy to plain old CD quality, it won't make a difference. You can turn it up if you want.

 

Done.

just disable all enhancements and set to 24/96 and ur good to go, also set all software volume to max (id recommend foobar as ur player) and use the volume knob on the o2 to control volume level

Done, Foobar to play audio?

 

i would disable all those "enhancements" i say that because i dont really thjink they enhance but they distort

the only thing i would change is maybe the EQ for what you're you are listening to

How can I change the EQ?

[helping]

Done.

Done, Foobar to play audio?

 

How can I change the EQ?

he's talking about these bar looking thingies.

 

Pretty much every audio playback software (sans maybe WMP) will have it. 

I think there might be some system level programs to do it, but I don't know of any.

 

If you don't know how to set your gains properly, go read up on that and experiment with the EQ settings to find what you like

[needmorewood]

Done.

Done, Foobar to play audio?

 

How can I change the EQ?

in foobar us hould have a bunch of sliders that go up and down left side is low end right side is high end

just look up on the internet for an EQ for the type of music u are listening to. personally i dont use one, they are for some people it all depends if u like what u hear or not. it doesnt make anything "better" it just makes it different

[Kooldown]

he's talking about these bar looking thingies.

 

Pretty much every audio playback software (sans maybe WMP) will have it. 

I think there might be some system level programs to do it, but I don't know of any.

 

If you don't know how to set your gains properly, go read up on that and experiment with the EQ settings to find what you like

 

 

in foobar us hould have a bunch of sliders that go up and down left side is low end right side is high end

just look up on the internet for an EQ for the type of music u are listening to. personally i dont use one, they are for some people it all depends if u like what u hear or not. it doesnt make anything "better" it just makes it different

 

Ok, I'll DL that now; thanks. Forgot to add this in the OP but I also have the Gain button pushed on the amp. The audio sounds cleaner to me when its on.... Should I keep it on?

[helping]

Ok, I'll DL that now; thanks. Forgot to add this in the OP but I also have the Gain button pushed on the amp. The audio sounds cleaner to me when its on.... Should I keep it on?

Yes. 

[needmorewood]

Ok, I'll DL that now; thanks. Forgot to add this in the OP but I also have the Gain button pushed on the amp. The audio sounds cleaner to me when its on.... Should I keep it on?

buddy if it sounds better then thats all that matters

[Kooldown]

Yes. 

 

 

buddy if it sounds better then thats all that matters

 

Ok. So I have have Foobar2000 installed and I opened up the equalizer.

 

I listen to a lot of EDM, so what would be the best settings for me?

[helping]

Ok. So I have have Foobar2000 installed and I opened up the equalizer.

 

I listen to a lot of EDM, so what would be the best settings for me?

probably something similar to a shallow "U" shaped curve, but google it because EQ is personal preference based on what you think sounds good. Can't really copy another person's EQ settings.

 

Don't go overboard because if you raise or drop too much you end up with distortion and awkward sounding music

[Kooldown]

probably something similar to a shallow "U" shaped curve, but google it because EQ is personal preference based on what you think sounds good. Can't really copy another person's EQ settings.

 

Don't go overboard because if you raise or drop too much you end up with distortion and awkward sounding music

 

Wow.

 

I have the equalizer on this type of retarded "U" or "W" curve and it sounds amazing.

 

Thanks for the help guys