DAC/AMP combo

[Patrik_]

Ok sorry but Im here again asking for best combo under 200bucks. It drivers me crazy because I finally settled on iFi Zen DAC but noooo. Only place I can get it is Amazon and Amazon stopped shipping... 

So need to get something locally. Im listening to all kinds of music mainly rock. As headset Im using Beyerdynamic MMX300 mk.2. 

Thank you for help  

[Guest]

21 minutes ago, Patrik_ said:

Ok sorry but Im here again asking for best combo under 200bucks. It drivers me crazy because I finally settled on iFi Zen DAC but noooo. Only place I can get it is Amazon and Amazon stopped shipping... 

So need to get something locally. Im listening to all kinds of music mainly rock. As headset Im using Beyerdynamic MMX300 mk.2. 

Thank you for help  

Unless you get a tube amp you most likely won't notice any difference unless you're switching back and forth. If you (for whatever reason) want a combo that is better by specs but basically just wasted money at this point you could go for the classic o2 dac/amp from drop, atom amp + schiit dac or in case you want MQA compatibility (like your current dac) buy something from project audio system, e.g. Prebox s2 digital.l

Instead of wasting money on another amp/dac, I would recommend trying out another set of headphones, for 200 you could for example get the famous hd6xx. If you wanna try a planar magnetic you could get the he4xx

 

EDIT: Ok, im retarded and cant read, you dont already have the ifi zen dac, my bad

[rice guru]

the fiioi k5 pro is pretty great for the price but for $200 you can go for a topping d10 and a schiit heresy which is a better solution 

[Patrik_]

15 hours ago, OddGreyFox211 said:

Unless you get a tube amp you most likely won't notice any difference unless you're switching back and forth. If you (for whatever reason) want a combo that is better by specs but basically just wasted money at this point you could go for the classic o2 dac/amp from drop, atom amp + schiit dac or in case you want MQA compatibility (like your current dac) buy something from project audio system, e.g. Prebox s2 digital.l

Instead of wasting money on another amp/dac, I would recommend trying out another set of headphones, for 200 you could for example get the famous hd6xx. If you wanna try a planar magnetic you could get the he4xx

 

EDIT: Ok, im retarded and cant read, you dont already have the ifi zen dac, my bad

 yep but still Im pretty limited when it comes to what I can buy localy. 

9 hours ago, rice guru said:

the fiioi k5 pro is pretty great for the price but for $200 you can go for a topping d10 and a schiit heresy which is a better solution 

Non of them is avaible here, only K5 pro I can buy. If you have more suggestions just say it  but yeah K5 pro was my second choice but ifi won. For now Im thinking about K5 but If you have any other just say it  

[rice guru]

3 hours ago, Patrik_ said:

 yep but still Im pretty limited when it comes to what I can buy localy. 

Non of them is avaible here, only K5 pro I can buy. If you have more suggestions just say it  but yeah K5 pro was my second choice but ifi won. For now Im thinking about K5 but If you have any other just say it  

ifi is pretty good especially if you run balanced but in all honesty the k5 pro sounds better if your going to use the zen DAC's single ended output 

[Patrik_]

29 minutes ago, rice guru said:

ifi is pretty good especially if you run balanced but in all honesty the k5 pro sounds better if your going to use the zen DAC's single ended output 

Ok Im going for it  but Im still taking other suggestions I have to decide in 9 hours

 

[rice guru]

honestly pcant really reccomend anything else.  aside froma  monoprice liquid spark off your motherboard, maybe a jds labs atom off your motherboard and grab a dac later.  there aren't ma y good combo units under $200 except the k5 pro and the zen dac balanced output. maybe the schiit hel but even that isn't as good as the cheaper 2 . 

[rice guru]

oh just realized your using the mmx 300.  from what I remember with the mk1's wiring diagram the mic and drivers are separately wired so yeah 

[Patrik_]

2 hours ago, rice guru said:

oh just realized your using the mmx 300.  from what I remember with the mk1's wiring diagram the mic and drivers are separately wired so yeah 

Ok than Im going for K5 pro  

[Patrik_]

2 hours ago, rice guru said:

oh just realized your using the mmx 300.  from what I remember with the mk1's wiring diagram the mic and drivers are separately wired so yeah 

Btw what about having soundcard and dac? 

[rice guru]

2 hours ago, Patrik_ said:

Btw what about having soundcard and dac? 

its pointless the soundcard does the exact same job a DAC does a spund card and AMP would work. if you require a soundcard for a specific reason

[Patrik_]

14 hours ago, rice guru said:

its pointless the soundcard does the exact same job a DAC does a spund card and AMP would work. if you require a soundcard for a specific reason

No I just made suggestion If somehow its better to have soundcard and AMP than AMP/DAC combo. 

[rice guru]

6 hours ago, Patrik_ said:

No I just made suggestion If somehow its better to have soundcard and AMP than AMP/DAC combo. 

depeends on the dac and sound cards being compared. really at this budget I dont think so . 

[Danimacl]

Very very highly reviewed

https://www.schiit.com/products/asgard 

[rice guru]

3 hours ago, Danimacl said:

Very very highly reviewed

https://www.schiit.com/products/asgard 

ubnfortunately as good as the asgard is adding the DAC to it brings it oover budget and its $200 for just an AMP its  modular unit cause you can add  a internal dac or not but the base is just an amp

[Darkseth]

Creative SoundblasterX G6? Already way better than you need for "just" a MMX300.

Don't forget, the MMX 300 is just a DT 770 with 32 Ohm drivers (Yes, both have the EXACT same Drivers). So you don't really need a 200+ dollar Combo to drive a 120-130 dollar headphone.

Using a SoundblasterX G6 for my DT 1990 Pro, and can't complain at all.

 

Advantage: Aside from the very good DAC/Amp included (for the Price), you get a headphone output AND a Microphone Input at the same Time - which might beneficial since most Microphone Inputs from even expensive Motherboards aren't really good.
Oh year, software features, if you're into that.

 

 

Soundcard = Internal? Then no. There is literaly no benefit anymore from having an internal Soundcard (and those who are decent, already have a headphone AMP built in, so yea). There is a higher Chance beeing influenced by internal waves from Motherboard, Graphics Card, PSU etc.

Not saying you will always notice anything. But you COULD more often, than on an external DAC/AMP.

besides, an internal Soundcard takes up space, could reduce Airflow for the GPU, is way less practical.
An external Device can just be moved over to a Laptop, to your Console, to your new PC, whatever.

 

 

My opinion: Before you get a 200-250 DAC/AMP for a $300 MMX 300...

You could just get a $100-150 DAC/AMP (like SoundblasterX G6, or some other alternatives), and spec your headphones up to a DT 1770 Pro, which is a whole different League than a MMX 300 would ever be on ANY dac/amp that you could find.

Microphone: Just get any alternative, problem solved

 

Of course, not easy because you have the MMX 300 already, and selling it would bean a loss.
But what i'm saying is: the Headphones themself are the MOST important for Audio quality. by FAR.

it would've been better to get a devent enough DAC/AMP, and put most of your Budget into a good headphone, instead getting an MMX 300 (which basicly is a $120 DT 770) paired with a more expensive DAC/AMP.

[rice guru]

6 minutes ago, Darkseth said:

Creative SoundblasterX G6? Already way better than you need for "just" a MMX300.

Don't forget, the MMX 300 is just a DT 770 with 32 Ohm drivers (Yes, both have the EXACT same Drivers). So you don't really need a 200+ dollar Combo to drive a 120-130 dollar headphone.

Using a SoundblasterX G6 for my DT 1990 Pro, and can't complain at all.

 

Advantage: Aside from the very good DAC/Amp included (for the Price), you get a headphone output AND a Microphone Input at the same Time - which might beneficial since most Microphone Inputs from even expensive Motherboards aren't really good.
Oh year, software features, if you're into that.

 

 

Soundcard = Internal? Then no. There is literaly no benefit anymore from having an internal Soundcard (and those who are decent, already have a headphone AMP built in, so yea). There is a higher Chance beeing influenced by internal waves from Motherboard, Graphics Card, PSU etc.

Not saying you will always notice anything. But you COULD more often, than on an external DAC/AMP.

besides, an internal Soundcard takes up space, could reduce Airflow for the GPU, is way less practical.
An external Device can just be moved over to a Laptop, to your Console, to your new PC, whatever.

 

 

My opinion: Before you get a 200-250 DAC/AMP for a $300 MMX 300...

You could just get a $100-150 DAC/AMP (like SoundblasterX G6, or some other alternatives), and spec your headphones up to a DT 1770 Pro, which is a whole different League than a MMX 300 would ever be on ANY dac/amp that you could find.

Microphone: Just get any alternative, problem solved

 

Of course, not easy because you have the MMX 300 already, and selling it would bean a loss.
But what i'm saying is: the Headphones themself are the MOST important for Audio quality. by FAR.

it would've been better to get a devent enough DAC/AMP, and put most of your Budget into a good headphone, instead getting an MMX 300 (which basicly is a $120 DT 770) paired with a more expensive DAC/AMP.

really I thought it used a harder to drive driver. at that point I would try for the motherboard first cause that canbe be good enough

[Patrik_]

11 hours ago, Darkseth said:

Creative SoundblasterX G6? Already way better than you need for "just" a MMX300.

Don't forget, the MMX 300 is just a DT 770 with 32 Ohm drivers (Yes, both have the EXACT same Drivers). So you don't really need a 200+ dollar Combo to drive a 120-130 dollar headphone.

Using a SoundblasterX G6 for my DT 1990 Pro, and can't complain at all.

 

Advantage: Aside from the very good DAC/Amp included (for the Price), you get a headphone output AND a Microphone Input at the same Time - which might beneficial since most Microphone Inputs from even expensive Motherboards aren't really good.
Oh year, software features, if you're into that.

 

 

Soundcard = Internal? Then no. There is literaly no benefit anymore from having an internal Soundcard (and those who are decent, already have a headphone AMP built in, so yea). There is a higher Chance beeing influenced by internal waves from Motherboard, Graphics Card, PSU etc.

Not saying you will always notice anything. But you COULD more often, than on an external DAC/AMP.

besides, an internal Soundcard takes up space, could reduce Airflow for the GPU, is way less practical.
An external Device can just be moved over to a Laptop, to your Console, to your new PC, whatever.

 

 

My opinion: Before you get a 200-250 DAC/AMP for a $300 MMX 300...

You could just get a $100-150 DAC/AMP (like SoundblasterX G6, or some other alternatives), and spec your headphones up to a DT 1770 Pro, which is a whole different League than a MMX 300 would ever be on ANY dac/amp that you could find.

Microphone: Just get any alternative, problem solved

 

Of course, not easy because you have the MMX 300 already, and selling it would bean a loss.
But what i'm saying is: the Headphones themself are the MOST important for Audio quality. by FAR.

it would've been better to get a devent enough DAC/AMP, and put most of your Budget into a good headphone, instead getting an MMX 300 (which basicly is a $120 DT 770) paired with a more expensive DAC/AMP.

Kinda too late. I asked here what headphones to buy like 4 months ago. Noone said something like this + headphones themselfs didnt have bad reviews. I looked a lot what to buy especialy on channel Z Reviews. My internal soundcard isnt anything speacial Its common Realtek one. Btw DT 1770 Pro are pretty espensive. Btw MMX300 being 120-130 XD. They  here cost 260. If DT 1770 Pro cost the same I would buy them. 

[Darkseth]

You should read my comment before you reply

But maybe i didn't explain it enough:

 

MMX 300 is a Headset. it is based on a beyerdynamic DT 770 series, which costs <120-130. DT 770 Pro 32 Ohm and MMX 300 32 Ohm use the EXACT same Drivers. It's the exact same serialnumber / spare part number.

--> MMX 300 is in Fact a 120 dollar headphone with a Microphone attached, sold for 260+.

If you bought a DT 770 Pro for 125, a cheap microphone you DIY'd on it, you would get the same Audio Quality and Build Quality.

 

 

Plus, Reviews where the Product is not compared with others, is not a review, but more like advertisement.

A Review, that doesn't mention, this is nothing else than a DT 770 + a Microphone attached, is not a good Review.

 

 

MMX 300 is outdated, and uninteresting. it's still one of the best "Headsets", and a good product - just because it's a beyerdynamic and they offer spare Parts.

but in my Opinion it's not worth the Money.

--> You can get a beyerdyanmic Custom Studio (should go for 140-180 Dollar), and a "beyerdynamic headset Gear", which is a replacement cable with a build in headset-microphone. Total Price cheaper than MMX 300, but what can it do better?!

- Better Audio quality (bass and mids)

- Bass-Slider. You can change the amount of Bass in 4 Steps. Basicly, 4 headphones in 1.

- Removeable Cable. You could get a 1 meter Cable, and use it on the go without looking stupid (i've seen people in the Train with a Razer Kraken listening to music)

- Looks is customizeable 

 

And the price:

You pay 260 for MMX 300 + let's say 240 for a high quality DAC + AMP combo = 500 Dollar.

 

You probably can find the DT 1770 Pro for probably around 400~ (that's what they go here for). Leaving 100 bucks for a cheaper DAC/AMP + a Microphone. = 500 Dollar too.

 

Same total Price for the whole thing, but a way better sound, because of the better headphone ^^

 

 

 

Well, it's too late now, but what i meant is: Don't waste 200-250+ on a DAC/AMP combo for a "120 dollar headphone", that only has 32 Ohm.

Unless, you plan to upgrade to a higher Tier in the Future.

 

It's not the MMX 300 was a fail buy or anything. I mean, you luckily didn't buy Razer or Astro, or such Toys

It just wasn't the absolute best "bang for buck" if you wanted best Audio quality per Dollar.

You could've done a bit better, but WAY WAY worse.

[Patrik_]

5 hours ago, Darkseth said:

You should read my comment before you reply

But maybe i didn't explain it enough:

 

MMX 300 is a Headset. it is based on a beyerdynamic DT 770 series, which costs <120-130. DT 770 Pro 32 Ohm and MMX 300 32 Ohm use the EXACT same Drivers. It's the exact same serialnumber / spare part number.

--> MMX 300 is in Fact a 120 dollar headphone with a Microphone attached, sold for 260+.

If you bought a DT 770 Pro for 125, a cheap microphone you DIY'd on it, you would get the same Audio Quality and Build Quality.

 

 

Plus, Reviews where the Product is not compared with others, is not a review, but more like advertisement.

A Review, that doesn't mention, this is nothing else than a DT 770 + a Microphone attached, is not a good Review.

 

 

MMX 300 is outdated, and uninteresting. it's still one of the best "Headsets", and a good product - just because it's a beyerdynamic and they offer spare Parts.

but in my Opinion it's not worth the Money.

--> You can get a beyerdyanmic Custom Studio (should go for 140-180 Dollar), and a "beyerdynamic headset Gear", which is a replacement cable with a build in headset-microphone. Total Price cheaper than MMX 300, but what can it do better?!

- Better Audio quality (bass and mids)

- Bass-Slider. You can change the amount of Bass in 4 Steps. Basicly, 4 headphones in 1.

- Removeable Cable. You could get a 1 meter Cable, and use it on the go without looking stupid (i've seen people in the Train with a Razer Kraken listening to music)

- Looks is customizeable 

 

And the price:

You pay 260 for MMX 300 + let's say 240 for a high quality DAC + AMP combo = 500 Dollar.

 

You probably can find the DT 1770 Pro for probably around 400~ (that's what they go here for). Leaving 100 bucks for a cheaper DAC/AMP + a Microphone. = 500 Dollar too.

 

Same total Price for the whole thing, but a way better sound, because of the better headphone ^^

 

 

 

Well, it's too late now, but what i meant is: Don't waste 200-250+ on a DAC/AMP combo for a "120 dollar headphone", that only has 32 Ohm.

Unless, you plan to upgrade to a higher Tier in the Future.

 

It's not the MMX 300 was a fail buy or anything. I mean, you luckily didn't buy Razer or Astro, or such Toys

It just wasn't the absolute best "bang for buck" if you wanted best Audio quality per Dollar.

You could've done a bit better, but WAY WAY worse.

Im planing higher tier in future but still no person told me this before (3 months ago), Razer headphones dont make laugh, I wanted that Ifi Zen Dac but Covid fucked me up.... I in general buy things that they are into future for example my X470 Gaming 7 Wifi total overkill for just Ryzen 2600 but Im planing to get 4000 series 12 core. 

[rice guru]

6 hours ago, Patrik_ said:

Im planing higher tier in future but still no person told me this before (3 months ago), Razer headphones dont make laugh, I wanted that Ifi Zen Dac but Covid fucked me up.... I in general buy things that they are into future for example my X470 Gaming 7 Wifi total overkill for just Ryzen 2600 but Im planing to get 4000 series 12 core. 

if you just went with a separate mic and headphone you could have definitely done better and maybe saved some money but whats done is done. 

[Patrik_]

18 hours ago, rice guru said:

if you just went with a separate mic and headphone you could have definitely done better and maybe saved some money but whats done is done. 

 

On 3/31/2020 at 4:10 AM, Darkseth said:

You should read my comment before you reply

But maybe i didn't explain it enough:

 

MMX 300 is a Headset. it is based on a beyerdynamic DT 770 series, which costs <120-130. DT 770 Pro 32 Ohm and MMX 300 32 Ohm use the EXACT same Drivers. It's the exact same serialnumber / spare part number.

--> MMX 300 is in Fact a 120 dollar headphone with a Microphone attached, sold for 260+.

If you bought a DT 770 Pro for 125, a cheap microphone you DIY'd on it, you would get the same Audio Quality and Build Quality.

 

 

Plus, Reviews where the Product is not compared with others, is not a review, but more like advertisement.

A Review, that doesn't mention, this is nothing else than a DT 770 + a Microphone attached, is not a good Review.

 

 

MMX 300 is outdated, and uninteresting. it's still one of the best "Headsets", and a good product - just because it's a beyerdynamic and they offer spare Parts.

but in my Opinion it's not worth the Money.

--> You can get a beyerdyanmic Custom Studio (should go for 140-180 Dollar), and a "beyerdynamic headset Gear", which is a replacement cable with a build in headset-microphone. Total Price cheaper than MMX 300, but what can it do better?!

- Better Audio quality (bass and mids)

- Bass-Slider. You can change the amount of Bass in 4 Steps. Basicly, 4 headphones in 1.

- Removeable Cable. You could get a 1 meter Cable, and use it on the go without looking stupid (i've seen people in the Train with a Razer Kraken listening to music)

- Looks is customizeable 

 

And the price:

You pay 260 for MMX 300 + let's say 240 for a high quality DAC + AMP combo = 500 Dollar.

 

You probably can find the DT 1770 Pro for probably around 400~ (that's what they go here for). Leaving 100 bucks for a cheaper DAC/AMP + a Microphone. = 500 Dollar too.

 

Same total Price for the whole thing, but a way better sound, because of the better headphone ^^

 

 

 

Well, it's too late now, but what i meant is: Don't waste 200-250+ on a DAC/AMP combo for a "120 dollar headphone", that only has 32 Ohm.

Unless, you plan to upgrade to a higher Tier in the Future.

 

It's not the MMX 300 was a fail buy or anything. I mean, you luckily didn't buy Razer or Astro, or such Toys

It just wasn't the absolute best "bang for buck" if you wanted best Audio quality per Dollar.

You could've done a bit better, but WAY WAY worse.

Nvm :DD they told us now that product isnt avaible that means Im going for G6 or is there anything better than is missing Fiio as brand is avaible a lot 

[rice guru]

6 hours ago, Patrik_ said:

 

Nvm :DD they told us now that product isnt avaible that means Im going for G6 or is there anything better than is missing Fiio as brand is avaible a lot 

the g6 isnt a bad option. especially on sale I prefer it over something likea e10k. i like the sound of the fiio q3 and q1 mk2 better but..... dthey dont have as much power or sont have as many features as the g6.