Which DAC/AMP to get?

[Bazrat]

I've been having problems with garbage audio (buzzing/humming/static-ish noises) on my PC, so I've decided to get a DAC. I'm not to knowledgeable about this topic so I'd like to ask about some recommendations. I live in Australia so a lot of stuff from amazon and what not has crazy shipping prices. But I've been recommended these so far:

FiiO E10K

Syba Sonic (mostly likely to buy atm just because of the mic port)

and

Dac-X6

 

Any other recommendations would be helpful. I would prefer it to be around $100aud but not more than about $200aud.

 

Thanks for any replies

 

[191x7]

Which headphones?

[Bazrat]

15 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

Which headphones?

I use Bose QC 35, Audio Technica ATH-WS1100IS and razer hammerhead v2. Nothing that requires alot of power.

[191x7]

4 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

I use Bose QC 35, Audio Technica ATH-WS1100IS and razer hammerhead v2. Nothing that requires alot of power.

The first model is wireless, no gains from an AMP/DAC.

 

The second and third use a 4-pole (TRRS) connector, are you sure you're splitting it to 2 connectors when connecting it to the PC? Otherwise there would be crackling, low volume, microphone issues etc.

[Bazrat]

1 hour ago, 191x7 said:

The first model is wireless, no gains from an AMP/DAC.

 

The second and third use a 4-pole (TRRS) connector, are you sure you're splitting it to 2 connectors when connecting it to the PC? Otherwise there would be crackling, low volume, microphone issues etc.

Well the first one I use wired (TRS) and yes I use a splitter.

 

I made a post earlier trying to ask with help for this problem and tried several things but nothing worked, so I've decided to just get a DAC.

[191x7]

24 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

Well the first one I use wired (TRS) and yes I use a splitter.

 

I made a post earlier trying to ask with help for this problem and tried several things but nothing worked, so I've decided to just get a DAC.

Would a soundcard like the external (USB) Asus Xonar U5 or U7 also work? Might be cheaper, not much worse.

[Bazrat]

8 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

Would a soundcard like the external (USB) Asus Xonar U5 or U7 also work? Might be cheaper, not much worse.

I think I'd rather go for a DAC and spend a little more, read its better than usin a sound card.

[rice guru]

3 hours ago, Bazrat said:

I've been having problems with garbage audio (buzzing/humming/static-ish noises) on my PC, so I've decided to get a DAC. I'm not to knowledgeable about this topic so I'd like to ask about some recommendations. I live in Australia so a lot of stuff from amazon and what not has crazy shipping prices. But I've been recommended these so far:

FiiO E10K

Syba Sonic (mostly likely to buy atm just because of the mic port)

and

Dac-X6

 

Any other recommendations would be helpful. I would prefer it to be around $100aud but not more than about $200aud.

 

Thanks for any replies

 

Schiit fulla 3? If you need aoc port sounds pretty decent too

 

[191x7]

8 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

I think I'd rather go for a DAC and spend a little more, read its better than usin a sound card.

The only real difference is - with an AMP/DAC you don't get customizable options in the drivers (equalizers, different volume options, sound profiles, etc).

Soundcards are also AMP/DAC units, XD

[Bazrat]

7 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

The only real difference is - with an AMP/DAC you don't get customizable options in the drivers (equalizers, different volume options, sound profiles, etc).

Soundcards are also AMP/DAC units, XD

Ah ok, didn't know that haha. I've already got some audio software with equalizers / volume options, the software side doesn't really add any value for me personally.

 

It seems the U5 and and U7 is quite a bit more pricey than the other DACs I had linked above as well as having mixed reviews. I see some other sound cards like the Sound Blaster cards, but for the price seem not as good value as some of the other DACs. But thanks for the suggestions.

 

9 minutes ago, rice guru said:

Schiit fulla 3? If you need aoc port sounds pretty decent too

Sorry what's an aoc port? Like the mic in or optical?

 

I've heard good things about the Fulla line but most of it is hitting that $200+ mark which is a bit much for me unfortunately.

[rice guru]

3 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

 

 

Sorry what's an aoc port? Like the mic in or optical?

 

I've heard good things about the Fulla line but most of it is hitting that $200+ mark which is a bit much for me unfortunately.

My bad I mean mic port I was on mobile. The syba Sonic just sucks tbh. You would probably have a better experience using the line in on your motherboard as long as it's fairly modern.

The fiio e10k has QC issues and honestly doesn't sound that great the fiio k3 is a better unit newer a d actually sounds good but can be a little weak.  and the DAC x6 is great but heavily depends on what you are trying to power.

[Bazrat]

10 minutes ago, rice guru said:

My bad I mean mic port I was on mobile. The syba Sonic just sucks tbh. You would probably have a better experience using the line in on your motherboard as long as it's fairly modern.

The fiio e10k has QC issues and honestly doesn't sound that great the fiio k3 is a better unit newer a d actually sounds good but can be a little weak.  and the DAC x6 is great but heavily depends on what you are trying to power

I don't have headphones that require alot of power and are fine with mobile devices etc. Only problem is I'm planning on getting a V-Moda Boom Pro for my headphones and seen that if I were to split the mic into the motherboard but headphones into a DAC is can cause grounding problems, I do have a ground noise loop isolator but not sure if that would do anything.

[rice guru]

1 hour ago, Bazrat said:

I don't have headphones that require alot of power and are fine with mobile devices etc. Only problem is I'm planning on getting a V-Moda Boom Pro for my headphones and seen that if I were to split the mic into the motherboard but headphones into a DAC is can cause grounding problems, I do have a ground noise loop isolator but not sure if that would do anything.

Ah I see. Maybe a sound blaster g5 or g6 can do the job not the best sounding thing in the world. It much better than the syba sonic especially the g6 as that's actually a really decent unit

[Bazrat]

13 minutes ago, rice guru said:

Ah I see. Maybe a sound blaster g5 or g6 can do the job not the best sounding thing in the world. It much better than the syba sonic

So you say the DAC-X6 is good? After some looking around thinking maybe I should get that and maybe change my mic plans, I can find the DAC-X6 for cheaper than the g5/6. So I could spend a little more to get a ModMic Uni, since it's separate from the headphones it shouldn't have the grounding problem.

[rice guru]

2 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

So you say the DAC-X6 is good? After some looking around thinking maybe I should get that and maybe change my mic plans, I can find the DAC-X6 for cheaper than the g5/6. So I could spend a little more to get a ModMic Uni, since it's separate from the headphones it shouldn't have the grounding problem.

For the price it's pretty good. But like I said kinda depends on what you are trying not power if it's too low impedance we might have a problem and might not sound that great

[Bazrat]

8 minutes ago, rice guru said:

For the price it's pretty good. But like I said kinda depends on what you are trying not power if it's too low impedance we might have a problem and might not sound that great

Just googled the impedance of my headphones and got 38 ohms for my ATH-ws1100is pair and couldn't find anything specific for my BOSE pair apart from this which says "Impedance at 1kHz: 488 Ohms". But since its made to be used for smartphones I'm assuming similar to my other pair, 32 ohms?

[rice guru]

9 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

Just googled the impedance of my headphones and got 38 ohms for my ATH-ws1100is pair and couldn't find anything specific for my BOSE pair apart from this which says "Impedance at 1kHz: 488 Ohms". But since its made to be used for smartphones I'm assuming similar to my other pair, 32 ohms?

yeah unfortunately both are too easy to drive for the dac x6 to sound good. I wouldn't put anything below 80 ohms on it. 

[Bazrat]

5 minutes ago, rice guru said:

yeah unfortunately both are too easy to drive for the dac x6 to sound good. I wouldn't put anything below 80 ohms on it. 

Not trying to be rude or anything, but for the Syba Sonic or e10k, what would you mean they sound terrible? Can't say I'm super into audio just need something that's better than the onboard audio of my PC to get rid of this awful humming and what not.

[rice guru]

Just now, Bazrat said:

Not trying to be rude or anything, but for the Syba Sonic or e10k, what would you mean they sound terrible? Can't say I'm super into audio just need something that's better than the onboard audio of my PC to get rid of this awful humming and what not.

the e10k  doesnt sound that bad but but suffers from QC problems. and syba sonic just sounds bad. I mean you can buy it... and if it works for you you should be fine but if its bad you can return it. 

[Bazrat]

25 minutes ago, rice guru said:

the e10k  doesnt sound that bad but but suffers from QC problems. and syba sonic just sounds bad. I mean you can buy it... and if it works for you you should be fine but if its bad you can return it. 

I think I might just get the mic later then, and get the g5 or g6. But since I can find the Fulla 3 for a similar price, would the g6 or fulla 3 be better?

[rice guru]

8 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

I think I might just get the mic later then, and get the g5 or g6. But since I can find the Fulla 3 for a similar price, would the g6 or fulla 3 be better?

I personally prefer the sound of the g6 to me sounds slightly cleaner and less compressed  . but both perform about the same 

[CTR640]

7 hours ago, rice guru said:

My bad I mean mic port I was on mobile. The syba Sonic just sucks tbh. You would probably have a better experience using the line in on your motherboard as long as it's fairly modern.

The fiio e10k has QC issues and honestly doesn't sound that great the fiio k3 is a better unit newer a d actually sounds good but can be a little weak.  and the DAC x6 is great but heavily depends on what you are trying to power.

What does QC mean? And are you refering to E10K or the E10K Olympus 2?

[rice guru]

3 minutes ago, CTR640 said:

What does QC mean? And are you refering to E10K or the E10K Olympus 2?

I'm taking quality control and both models

[CTR640]

Just now, rice guru said:

I'm taking quality control and both models

I see. Like which? I own the Olympus2 and have no problem with it.

[rice guru]

Just now, CTR640 said:

I see. Like which? I own the Olympus2 and have no problem with it.

I too own it. And have had a couple of units in the past and have reccomended to others in my personal life.some have broken, and almost all of them suffer from distortion when changing the volume.