Onboard Sound vs. External

[AllstaRawR]

So, I got my new Desktop O2 + ODAC from Mayflower today. I just want to clarify, from a non-audiophile's perspective, how worth it this purchase was.

 

I used to use Corsair Vengance 1500's on my Maximus Hero. My friend convinced me to get some headphones so I got a pair of AKG Q701's. My sound quality went way up, I heard things I'd never heard before, even on something like Spotify... Well, now I don't hear more per se, but everything is so defined. The lows are finally there. The mids aren't all mushy.

 

Just saying, the ALC1150 is a good DAC. SupremeFX is pretty decent for onboard. The ODAC is in a league of its own, though. I just really wanted to tell about my findings.

[atrash]

AllstaRawR, on 22 Apr 2014 - 07:05 AM, said:

So, I got my new Desktop O2 + ODAC from Mayflower today. I just want to clarify, from a non-audiophile's perspective, how worth it this purchase was.

 

I used to use Corsair Vengance 1500's on my Maximus Hero. My friend convinced me to get some headphones so I got a pair of AKG Q701's. My sound quality went way up, I heard things I'd never heard before, even on something like Spotify... Well, now I don't hear more per se, but everything is so defined. The lows are finally there. The mids aren't all mushy.

 

Just saying, the ALC1150 is a good DAC. SupremeFX is pretty decent for onboard. The ODAC is in a league of its own, though. I just really wanted to tell about my findings.

 

Congratulation on your new purchases.

[epeglab_1_]

The purchase was ok, this post seems like its there only to brag...imo of-course 

[Askew]

We have a member review on this combo that is more informative than this if anyone's interested. (I'm not OP)

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/6771-review-of-the-objective-2-odac-combo-desktop-version-by-mayflower-electronics/

 

You found that better quality dedicated hardware was better at performing a task than cheap onboard hardware? What did you expect to find?

[creatip123]

To be really objective, you gotta try 4 combinations though:

 

- Corsair + onboard (which you already did for many years)

- Corsair + O2

- AKG + onboard

- AKG + O2

 

Compare the audio difference of the 4 combinations, and you'll know which one have the biggest margin of difference...

[Aphexx]

the thing about the 701 is that most people say its finnicky to drive properly 

 

I don't think the 701 is the proper headphone to benchmark an un-amped onboard source. 

[AllstaRawR]

The purchase was ok, this post seems like its there only to brag...imo of-course 

 

I guess? I just remember what kept swaying me back and forth on getting it or not was hearing that onboard sound was almost as good. I really don't think it is. That's what I was aiming for.

[johnnybravolicious]

akg 701 needs a DECENT headphone amp to drive. so if TS is not willing to spend on a decent amp, I would strongly suggest a AKG K550. I had used M50 > AKG K550 > AKG Q701 > Beyerdynamic T90. I would say, AKG K550 is very good all rounders. Bass not as boomy as M50 and the clarity is a notch better than M50.

[Turkatron]

So, I got my new Desktop O2 + ODAC from Mayflower today. I just want to clarify, from a non-audiophile's perspective, how worth it this purchase was.

 

I used to use Corsair Vengance 1500's on my Maximus Hero. My friend convinced me to get some headphones so I got a pair of AKG Q701's. My sound quality went way up, I heard things I'd never heard before, even on something like Spotify... Well, now I don't hear more per se, but everything is so defined. The lows are finally there. The mids aren't all mushy.

 

Just saying, the ALC1150 is a good DAC. SupremeFX is pretty decent for onboard. The ODAC is in a league of its own, though. I just really wanted to tell about my findings.

>our face when dat audio upgrade

[Lauen]

To be really objective, you gotta try 4 combinations though:

 

- Corsair + onboard (which you already did for many years)

- Corsair + O2

- AKG + onboard

- AKG + O2

 

Compare the audio difference of the 4 combinations, and you'll know which one have the biggest margin of difference...

1500's are USB though, so no testing between onboard and o2 with that. 

[NannerBeans]

akg 701 needs a DECENT headphone amp to drive. so if TS is not willing to spend on a decent amp, I would strongly suggest a AKG K550. I had used M50 > AKG K550 > AKG Q701 > Beyerdynamic T90. I would say, AKG K550 is very good all rounders. Bass not as boomy as M50 and the clarity is a notch better than M50.

What does the Q701 sound like?

[mr moose]

I guess? I just remember what kept swaying me back and forth on getting it or not was hearing that onboard sound was almost as good. I really don't think it is. That's what I was aiming for.

I don't recall anyone saying the onboard was just as good as a usb dac for amp'd headphones. However having said that, Have you tried listening to the onboard through the o2?

[AllstaRawR]

What does the Q701 sound like?

 

Really, really flat. Extremely open. I find that the most useful when listening to things with lots of different instruments.

 

I don't recall anyone saying the onboard was just as good as a usb dac for amp'd headphones. However having said that, Have you tried listening to the onboard through the o2?

 

It actually doesn't sound too immediately different. There's no hiss, not static, no interference. It's just... washier. Easier to notice over time. As I said, the 1150 actually sounds really nice with an AMP.

[D3AN]

How is the heat output on the O2 ODAC combo? Would I be able to run it 24/7 you think?