amp/dac help

[keiwein1]

i need an amp/ dac to power the headphones that im ordering. preferably usb or a single 3 or 4 poll connector. i need it to have a half inch audio port to cennect my headphones. preferably under $150.

 

thanks in advance!

 

ps if any of u can answer this question: how do dacs improve audio quality and if so by how much?

[Guest]

In theory a better DAC will reproduce the audio signal for faithfully to the original, as well as cut down on EMI, noise and other flaws. In practice most motherboards these days have fine integrated audio. You probably won't notice much of a difference by getting an external DAC unless you can identify problems with your sound as it is now.

 

What headphones are you getting?

[creatip123]

To add a bit, a higher-classed dac chip can decode higher samplerate files. Most budget dac can go max 24bit/96kHz. Higher classed dac can go 32bit/192kHz, or maybe more. In reality, 99.99% of the case, you won't hear the difference.

 

If you wanna go to a higher class, and storage space isn't a problem, you could go with DSD format. 

[Guest]

To add a bit, a higher-classed dac chip can decode higher samplerate files. Most budget dac can go max 24bit/96kHz. Higher classed dac can go 32bit/192kHz, or maybe more. In reality, 99.99% of the case, you won't hear the difference.

 

If you wanna go to a higher class, and storage space isn't a problem, you could go with DSD format. 

 

No DAC is cable of producing 24 effective bits of dynamic range, much less 32. Most "24-bit" DACs out there are not capable of more than 16-18 bits. The only reason to work with high bitrate audio is during content creation.

[keiwein1]

In theory a better DAC will reproduce the audio signal for faithfully to the original, as well as cut down on EMI, noise and other flaws. In practice most motherboards these days have fine integrated audio. You probably won't notice much of a difference by getting an external DAC unless you can identify problems with your sound as it is now.

 

What headphones are you getting?

im getting hd 598s

[NannerBeans]

im getting hd 598s

Those will not see any improvement from a dac unless your onboard is broken/staticy. Also those terminate in a 3.5mm plug not 1/2 in. I don't think 1/2 in plug even exists. 

[Guest]

im getting hd 598s

 

Try with with your onboard first, both front and back ports. Chances are you'll be fine without an external DAC/amp.

[elliott35]

O2+DAC is the best option 

[Guest]

O2+DAC is the best option 

 

Indeed?

[elliott35]

Indeed?

?

[Guest]

?

 

Feel free to explain your blanket statement.

[elliott35]

I shall elaborate by including reviews... Its more expensive than you asked for, but you cannot beat its sound quality and price/performance!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1rXcJuEsy0

[Guest]

I shall elaborate by including reviews... Its more expensive than you asked for, but you cannot beat its sound quality and price/performance!

 

Yeah, I'm quite familiar with the product and NwAvGuy. I was wondering if YOU might justify your statement.

 

The O2/ODAC is good, but I would argue the price to performance - and features - do not always justify it.

[elliott35]

Yeah, I'm quite familiar with the product and NwAvGuy. I was wondering if YOU might justify your statement.

 

The O2/ODAC is good, but I would argue the price to performance - and features - do not always justify it.

If you are familiar then you know that there is alot within the topic... I don't particularly feel like rehashing everything about the O2... For the price there simply isnt a better amp if you are objective about sound quality. If you prefer warm (colored) sound then the wa7 is a better option.

[Guest]

If you are familiar then you know that there is alot within the topic... I don't particularly feel like rehashing everything about the O2... For the price there simply isnt a better amp if you are objective about sound quality. If you prefer warm (colored) sound then the wa7 is a better option.

 

And there's plenty of non-neutral amps that don't cost as much as the WA7. It seriously seems like you are regurgitating information from a handful of youtube channels despite the wide range of other viable options.

[elliott35]

Please, enlighten me. This is the LTT forums. I think we all place alot of weight on the LTT videos? I think Linus makes it pretty clear how he feels about the O2. I haven't given any proprietary info, so i dont know how you can say im regurgitating anything.... I own an O2 and a pair of HE-500's so I may be biased, but I have tried options from other vendors and independently came to my own conclusions. This topic deserves a 15 page writ-up , and I simply don't feel like being the one who does it. If you know of a better amp/dac at a better price provide a link. Fiio makes some OK amps and dacs, but they aren't on the same level of the O2 (they are cheaper however)

[Guest]

Please, enlighten me. This is the LTT forums. I think we all place alot of weight on the LTT videos? I think Linus makes it pretty clear how he feels about the O2. I haven't given any proprietary info, so i dont know how you can say im regurgitating anything.... I own an O2 and a pair of HE-500's so I may be biased, but I have tried options from other vendors and independently came to my own conclusions. This topic deserves a 15 page writ-up , and I simply don't feel like being the one who does it. If you know of a better amp/dac at a better price provide a link. Fiio makes some OK amps and dacs, but they aren't on the same level of the O2 (they are cheaper however)

 

I place weight on facts, not youtubers. Either way, Linus isn't big on audio.

 

The OP specifically asked for something under $150. Which rules out the O2/ODAC combo.

[elliott35]

And there you have it. The OP specifically asked for something under $150. Which rules out the O2/ODAC combo.

If you actually read the OP he says "preferably under 150".

I don't need to teach you what preferably means, but it does not implicitly or explicitly "rule out" more expensive options. And seeing as the base O2 is only about $15 over the stated preference I figured that I would bring the vastly superior option to his attention. Are you quite done yet?

[Guest]

If you actually read the OP he says "preferably under 150".

I don't need to teach you what preferably means, but it does not implicitly or explicitly "rule out" more expensive options. And seeing as the base O2 is only about $15 over the stated preference I figured that I would bring the vastly superior option to his attention. Are you quite done yet?

 

Not even close. The OP asked for an amp+DAC, which as you know the O2 by itself is not.

[elliott35]

Not even close. The OP asked for an amp+DAC, which as you know the O2 by itself is not.

And so we return to the "preferably" statement. Also, the OP does not clarify why they think they need a DAC -- they may not actually need one. And a standalone amp may be a better option. As for you, are you ever going to substantiate any of your claims with (at the very minimum) a source?

[Guest]

And so we return to the "preferably" statement. Also, the OP does not clarify why they think they need a DAC -- they may not actually need one. And a standalone amp may be a better option. As for you, are you ever going to substantiate any of your claims with (at the very minimum) a source?

 

"This topic deserves a 15 page writ-up , and I simply don't feel like being the one who does it."

 

Youtube videos aren't sources.

[elliott35]

"This topic deserves a 15 page writ-up , and I simply don't feel like being the one who does it."

 

Youtube videos aren't sources.

they are a source of information. The ones I have linked are reputable. And they are more than you have provided. 

[yottabyter]

i need an amp/ dac to power the headphones that im ordering. preferably usb or a single 3 or 4 poll connector. i need it to have a half inch audio port to cennect my headphones. preferably under $150.

 

thanks in advance!

 

ps if any of u can answer this question: how do dacs improve audio quality and if so by how much?

 

Being that you are getting the Sennheiser's  you won't need a AMP.  Now if you were going with a something with a higher impedance then you would need an amp but not with the 598s.

 

As for the DAC.  I have a older MOBO that uses the realtek alc888 and I have a newer MOBO that uses the the realtek alc1150  both have been hooked up to a Dayton apa100 amp and a pair of very nice vintage floor standing speakers.  I hear quite a bit of a difference between the two. So if you have older hardware you might be in the market for a dac.  Now when plugging in my headphones (xpt100) into the acl1150  I don't feel I need a dac in the slightest!   So at the end of the day I would say if you have a newer MOBO with a alc1150 ditch the dac.   You also may have a laptop in that case I would look at dac also. The best way I found out was I got one and returned it cause my onboard sounded better.   If your still convinced you need an amp or dac please check out Zeos Reviews they are very informative and full of detail and opinion.  I at least don't feel like he's trying to sell me a product just the straight dope!  http://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/2dk7la/guide_dacs_headphone_amps/he also has a youtube channel   https://www.youtube.com/user/ZeosReviews

 

I think people should state there opinion as much as possible (I know I like to weight it all)  but all we have to go on to make an informed decision is forums,reviews and others opinions being first hand or not.  as for me I find dac to me a waste of money considering the setup "I" have.  It's kind of like the debate of 320 vs lossless I just can't hear it myself but some may. And some don't mind spending the money on a placebo if they feel it gives them better sound.  I say whatever floats you boat.  To add to the debate  http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733.html 

[BoredErica]

There isn't a debate between 320 and lossless, the giant majority of people cannot hear a difference. Any debate that happens is a debate about blind testing.

[ShearMe]

Being that you are getting the Sennheiser's  you won't need a AMP.  Now if you were going with a something with a higher impedance then you would need an amp but not with the 598s.

 

As for the DAC.  I have a older MOBO that uses the realtek alc888 and I have a newer MOBO that uses the the realtek alc1150  both have been hooked up to a Dayton apa100 amp and a pair of very nice vintage floor standing speakers.  I hear quite a bit of a difference between the two. So if you have older hardware you might be in the market for a dac.  Now when plugging in my headphones (xpt100) into the acl1150  I don't feel I need a dac in the slightest!   So at the end of the day I would say if you have a newer MOBO with a alc1150 ditch the dac.   You also may have a laptop in that case I would look at dac also. The best way I found out was I got one and returned it cause my onboard sounded better.   If your still convinced you need an amp or dac please check out Zeos Reviews they are very informative and full of detail and opinion.  I at least don't feel like he's trying to sell me a product just the straight dope!  http://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/2dk7la/guide_dacs_headphone_amps/he also has a youtube channel   https://www.youtube.com/user/ZeosReviews

 

I think people should state there opinion as much as possible (I know I like to weight it all)  but all we have to go on to make an informed decision is forums,reviews and others opinions being first hand or not.  as for me I find dac to me a waste of money considering the setup "I" have.  It's kind of like the debate of 320 vs lossless I just can't hear it myself but some may. And some don't mind spending the money on a placebo if they feel it gives them better sound.  I say whatever floats you boat.  To add to the debate  http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733.html

 

Impressive first post, and you didn't even need 15 pages.