Dac/Amp-Gaming and music

[brandon32689]

Over the last year or so I have gotten more into audio. I have purchased a few headphones and amps/dacs. I ussually like to order from Amazon in case i do not like it i just send it back. I started with a fio e10k and then moved to a Mayflower arc for the last year. I just recently ordered a Modi 3 and Magni 3 (the Magni was on sale for 74 on amazon). I also got the Liquid spark. My plan is to either send the magni or the spark back. I know the JDS atom was a good option to but not with Amazon. I have had both amps for about 2 days and I personally think the Spark still sounds a little better expescially in my FPS shooter. For headphones I have the DT 990 pro 250 ohm and Sennheiser HD 598Sr and I picked up on amazon the SPH 9500 to try out but may send them back as well. I do not think they sound any better than my HD598's. I just thought for 67 it is worth a try. Will changing Dac's change the sound of the amps at all? I am leaning towards keeping the Spark and Modi 3. 

[rice guru]

spark in general to me sounded the best to my ears  out of the 3 amps when I was trying them out and was deciding what I wanted had the best bass performance as well as calmed the highs on the 990's abit which was nice. I also ran it out of the e10k but when I bought my topping d10 dac it didn't improve the sound that much but it gave it a noticable change in resolution as well as power to the amps as the output power is overall higher than tback of the e10k. but I don't think a changing dac will give you that much of a difference. 

[rice guru]

the biggest difference you can ever get in audio will always be the driver you use followed by the amp then the DAC. 

[brandon32689]

1 minute ago, rice guru said:

the biggest difference you can ever get in audio will always be the driver you use followed by the amp then the DAC. 

When you say driver you mean the headphones right? So what dac are you using now? I think i am leaning towards sending the magni 3 back and keeping the Spark. I also trying to decide if i should just keep the Modi3 or get a different Dac that would match the Spark a little better. That is why i was asking if a dac makes much difference.

[brandon32689]

4 minutes ago, rice guru said:

the biggest difference you can ever get in audio will always be the driver you use followed by the amp then the DAC. 

I see in your stats you have the Topping D-10 actually so that answers what dac you have. I also have been looking at the HD58X on the drop and see you have them. How do you like them? Do you game at all or just listen to music? I could possible use my Mayflower Arc as the dac i would assume but i think i will just list it up in the classifieds.

[rice guru]

Just now, brandon32689 said:

When you say driver you mean the headphones right? So what dac are you using now? I think i am leaning towards sending the magni 3 back and keeping the Spark. I also trying to decide if i should just keep the Modi3 or get a different Dac that would match the Spark a little better. That is why i was asking if a dac makes much difference.

I use a topping d10 . and yes by drivers I mean headphones. if you already have the modi 3 your fine. in that price range the topping d30 exists the numbers are slightly better but you literally have to be a super human to hear the difference beween the 2 dacs. the d10 is cheaper and performs similarly as well. dac matching isn't really a thing if you want aesthtics monoprice will be releasing a liquid spark dac january no revviewes are out yet but could be nice. https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=38965

[rice guru]

2 minutes ago, brandon32689 said:

I see in your stats you have the Topping D-10 actually so that answers what dac you have. I also have been looking at the HD58X on the drop and see you have them. How do you like them? Do you game at all or just listen to music? I could possible use my Mayflower Arc as the dac i would assume but i think i will just list it up in the classifieds.

my 58x is there for specific types of music, spoecifically lo fi hip hop , indie rock old school punk. . I game alot play lots of siege , modern warfare, league, and overwatch are my current rotation on pc otherwise I play pokemon. you could use a mayflower arc until the liquid spark dac comes out and you can see the reviews. cause they could possibly be better than any $100 DAC

[brandon32689]

1 minute ago, rice guru said:

I use a topping d10 . and yes by drivers I mean headphones. if you already have the modi 3 your fine. in that price range the topping d30 exists the numbers are slightly better but you literally have to be a super human to hear the difference beween the 2 dacs. the d10 is cheaper and performs similarly as well. dac matching isn't really a thing if you want aesthtics monoprice will be releasing a liquid spark dac january no revviewes are out yet but could be nice. https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=38965

That is nice i would love the matching DAC. So wonder if i should just use my ARC for now as the dac and send both the SCHIIT products back until i can get the spark dac. If the Arc is used as a dac would i just leave the volume knob alone or do you know? I seen you said you used the fio e10k as a dac?

[brandon32689]

1 minute ago, rice guru said:

my 58x is there for specific types of music, spoecifically lo fi hip hop , indie rock old school punk. . I game alot play lots of siege , modern warfare, league, and overwatch are my current rotation on pc otherwise I play pokemon. you could use a mayflower arc until the liquid spark dac comes out and you can see the reviews. cause they could possibly be better than any $100 DAC

I also play siege and COD. My main game is Tarkov and sound is so important in that game so i would really like the edge. I feel like some gameplay i did the Spark really shined. It also made my like my DT990 actually. How does the HD 58X compare to like the DT 990 or HD598 if you have tried those. 

[rice guru]

Just now, brandon32689 said:

That is nice i would love the matching DAC. So wonder if i should just use my ARC for now as the dac and send both the SCHIIT products back until i can get the spark dac. If the Arc is used as a dac would i just leave the volume knob alone or do you know? I seen you said you used the fio e10k as a dac?

yep I put the fiio e10k's line out at the back and plugged it into the liquid spark until I got a better dac. if you use the arc you hook the 3,5 mm to rca to the front and just put it up to meybe 10-20% gain and don't touch it otherwise you might fuck up th eliquid spark but. monoprice is like the EVGA of audio gear my experience with RMA cables and stuff in the past has been awesome. 

[brandon32689]

2 minutes ago, rice guru said:

yep I put the fiio e10k's line out at the back and plugged it into the liquid spark until I got a better dac. if you use the arc you hook the 3,5 mm to rca to the front and just put it up to meybe 10-20% gain and don't touch it otherwise you might fuck up th eliquid spark but. monoprice is like the EVGA of audio gear my experience with RMA cables and stuff in the past has been awesome. 

The arc has RCA pre outs on the back would you not use those 2?

[rice guru]

Just now, brandon32689 said:

I also play siege and COD. My main game is Tarkov and sound is so important in that game so i would really like the edge. I feel like some gameplay i did the Spark really shined. It also made my like my DT990 actually. How does the HD 58X compare to like the DT 990 or HD598 if you have tried those. 

imagine if the 598 sounded better overall but has better imaging as well as abit more bass . just overall a great neutral headphone. compared to the 58x it's abit more narrow a lot less bass and smoother  high end. if you just want a different experience headphone wise I would reccomend getting the 4xx instead . it uses a planar driver fun for gaming and sounds different hard to explain but planar sounds.  but sounds great and it should still be on sale for a $130 and if it's you first massdrop order $110

[rice guru]

Just now, brandon32689 said:

The arc has RCA pre outs on the back would you not use those 2?

yes, use those, sorry It wasn't labelled output when I was looking at the pics so I just overlooked  it and assumed they were a pssthrough to the amp not a passthrough from the dac. 

[brandon32689]

1 minute ago, rice guru said:

imagine if the 598 sounded better overall but has better imaging as well as abit more bass . just overall a great neutral headphone. compared to the 58x it's abit more narrow a lot less bass and smoother  high end. if you just want a different experience headphone wise I would reccomend getting the 4xx instead . it uses a planar driver fun for gaming and sounds different hard to explain but planar sounds.  but sounds great and it should still be on sale for a $130 and if it's you first massdrop order $110

I was looking at the 4xx as well. Yes i have never ordered from the drop before. I always look but have never placed a order. 

[rice guru]

10 minutes ago, brandon32689 said:

I was looking at the 4xx as well. Yes i have never ordered from the drop before. I always look but have never placed a order. 

Have have both the 58x and 4xx . If you want something better overall just a great all rounder grab the 58x. If you want something that sounds different grab the 4xx. Both are great for the price

[brandon32689]

6 minutes ago, rice guru said:

Have have both the 58x and 4xx . If you want something better overall just a great all rounder grab the 58x. If you want something that sounds different grab the 4xx. Both are great for the price

What headphones do you find yourself gaming with the most?

[rice guru]

16 minutes ago, brandon32689 said:

What headphones do you find yourself gaming with the most?

The 990 mostly by the 4xx is also excellent has better front and rear imaging but not as good imaging overall than the 990 the 990 is more precise I find

[pas008]

5 hours ago, rice guru said:

the biggest difference you can ever get in audio will always be the driver you use followed by the amp then the DAC. 

I'm finding dac isn't even important as long as you get clean sound

Converting rate is pretty much accurate all around

Amps are fun cause they can be like headphones and color the sound in the spectrum

Headphones are the most fun they change the sound the most in the spectrum
 

But simple example hd558 tape mod makes imaging difference. Even on low end superlux open headphones reverse tapemod to hd558 makes them less harsh

Ever compare cals vs purple heart cals?

 

I do miss many of my headphones i owned

Nvx fa003 Fischer clones were considered neutral champs for closed and price

Accuracy isolation and neutrals wow

 

Couple years ago after selling shit(musicians, gamers, supposedly audiophiles, etc)i soon found out how sound is completely subjective and placebo like 

 

 

Edit: by just having name brand changes others opinion, then i could make it biased by hype and talking things up but never used it

Hence why i call it a money pit now days

[rice guru]

3 hours ago, pas008 said:

 

Edit: by just having name brand changes others opinion, then i could make it biased by hype and talking things up but never used it

Hence why i call it a money pit now days

It really does. Why people love or hate beats. Or think Any Sennheiser product is good regardless of how bad they can be.

[brandon32689]

I am sending back the Magni 3. I noticed why i got it for 75 on Amazon they just came out with 2 new ones. I do think the liquid spark sounds better. I am just keeping the Modi 3 for the dac for now. I still have the SPH 9500 and have not decided if i am going to send them back. I kind of like them as well. I have been using my HD 598, DT 990 and the SPH 9500 headphones on the spark. I have some m40X that i never like they way the feel on my ears. I heard you can get different pads and it will feel better but i may just sell them and the arc. 

[brandon32689]

How good do you think this sounds ?

 

https://drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789-linear-amplifier?mode=shop_open&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=6142885038340&utm_term=6158994167740&utm_content=6158994168940&fbclid=IwAR2rzjCnE5Vi85Fha1UD4Jf5lmCXgaoNLabjebKXYpgfQ1EVuR3mxYnBYOk

[rice guru]

5 hours ago, brandon32689 said:

How good do you think this sounds ?

 

https://drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789-linear-amplifier?mode=shop_open&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=6142885038340&utm_term=6158994167740&utm_content=6158994168940&fbclid=IwAR2rzjCnE5Vi85Fha1UD4Jf5lmCXgaoNLabjebKXYpgfQ1EVuR3mxYnBYOk

Sounds really good but you can save your money with SP 200 has a new thx chip in it. But I would. It reccomend going this high up in gear unless you really plan on going deep a d buying $800+ headphones

[rice guru]

5 hours ago, brandon32689 said:

I am sending back the Magni 3. I noticed why i got it for 75 on Amazon they just came out with 2 new ones. I do think the liquid spark sounds better. I am just keeping the Modi 3 for the dac for now. I still have the SPH 9500 and have not decided if i am going to send them back. I kind of like them as well. I have been using my HD 598, DT 990 and the SPH 9500 headphones on the spark. I have some m40X that i never like they way the feel on my ears. I heard you can get different pads and it will feel better but i may just sell them and the arc. 

The magni 3 + is interesting. 

[brandon32689]

3 hours ago, rice guru said:

The magni 3 + is interesting. 

I see there is 2 different ones. Neither one has any reviews yet.

[rice guru]

1 hour ago, brandon32689 said:

I see there is 2 different ones. Neither one has any reviews yet.

 

https://www.headphones.com/blogs/news/schiit-magni-3-magni-heresy-headphone-amplifier-review-comparison

 This is what I was basing my opinion on that's why I don't have any hard stances just interested