Stuck between two choices...

[cmb6062]

I have made two options for myself of wich headset and dac i want to buy, but i dont know wich one is the best

If you have a better option, tell me

 

Option 1: HyperX Cloud + Sound Blaster E5 (Portable dac with many nice features) + Pricy

 

Option 2: HyperX Cloud 2 + Fiio E10K (Normal dac with great rating + 7.1 virtual surround) + Cheaper

 

Wich one would you choose or do you have something better to choose from? 

Budget: 331,52USD

[REX.exe]

I would recommend some dank Astro A40s.

[manikyath]

if i may ask, why a dac?

(ps: i have a hyperx cloud, and i LOVE it)

[cmb6062]

if i may ask, why a dac?

(ps: i have a hyperx cloud, and i LOVE it)

I want something to give it more powaaa

[xtroria]

If you're fine with other setup recommendation, I'd recommend K7xx + mod mic + E10K.

 

The "VERY LOW OUTPUT IMPEDANCE OF 2.2 OHM" ad on sound blaster website makes me wanna puke

[cmb6062]

If you're fine with other setup recommendation, I'd recommend K7xx + mod mic + E10K.

 

The "VERY LOW OUTPUT IMPEDANCE OF 2.2 OHM" ad on sound blaster website makes me wanna puke

the akg k7xx is not available for me in norway

[xtroria]

the akg k7xx is not available for me in norway

 

What about K702, HD558 or SHP-9500

[cmb6062]

What about K702, HD558 or SHP-9500

Nope, i think im going for a Audio technica ath-m50x with the e10k

[KayMarie_SB]

I would recommend some dank Astro A40s.

If you're going to spend at that level I'd recommend some audio technica ATH-m50x's or ATH-AD500x's if you prefer an open back level soundstage, and a good budget mic like an AT2020. Spending that much on a gaming headset that really doesn't sound any better than some of the cheaper ones makes very little sense.

[cmb6062]

If you're going to spend at that level I'd recommend some audio technica ATH-m50x's or ATH-AD500x's if you prefer an open back level soundstage, and a good budget mic like an AT2020. Spending that much on a gaming headset that really doesn't sound any better than some of the cheaper ones makes very little sense.

ATH-m50x + FiiO E10K is what i will buy

[KayMarie_SB]

ATH-m50x + FiiO E10K is what i will buy

Very solid choice! Your ears will thank you. 

[xtroria]

Very solid choice! Your ears will thank you. 

 

M50x is just meh

[spwath]

M50x is just meh

And don't need amp /dac

[Fluffinator]

Why in the world would you pair a E10k with the ATH-M50x's doesn't make sense to me.

[ym1453]

You can either save a ton of money by just buying a pair of m40x which is nearley identical to the m50x and both don't need a e10k anyway so goodbye to that.

Or get something much better for your budget like a pair of dt770 or a open headphone like the sennheiser hd600, Philips fidelio x2

[KayMarie_SB]

And don't need amp /dac

Necessary for the m50x's, of course not, but should OP eventually buy headphones that do need one, it will be invaluable to have.

M50x is just meh

Most closed back headphones under $200 in my experience, are. The m50x's are the least "meh" i've tried in that price range, although that is less than a handful of pairs between sennheiser, bose, and Marshall. The only pair i've heard in that range that I actually loved the sound of, AKG K553 which are priced right at $200. I've tried a couple pairs of higher end AKG's that I really liked, but those were quite pricey. My current headphones are well within this price range, but are open back, which some people may not prefer. Being the ATH-AD900x, since I could not afford the AD2000x's, 

 

The last I heard any of these headphones it has been a couple years, and of course I didn't care as much about audio quality, so take that for what you will. Not an expert by any means.

[Guest]

Necessary for the m50x's, of course not, but should OP eventually buy headphones that do need one, it will be invaluable to have.

 

In all honesty, the E10K is a piece of shit. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice upgrade to fix underpowered or noisy onboard; but if you're going to argue the whole "future upgrade" angle, the OP should save money until they can afford an amp/DAC that doesn't suck and can actually drive headphones that truly need more amplification than a computer can provide.

[KayMarie_SB]

In all honesty, the E10K is a piece of shit. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice upgrade to fix underpowered or noisy onboard; but if you're going to argue the whole "future upgrade" angle, the OP should save money until they can afford an amp/DAC that doesn't suck and can actually drive headphones that truly need more amplification than a computer can provide.

I wasn't aware of the quality of the e10k. I know there are better DAC/amps out there. My post was less about that particular DAC, and more about nabbing a  DAC in general. I will try to steer people away from that one, I suppose. I'm looking into one myself right now. Is this a good option? http://www.amazon.com/JDSLABS-Objective2-Combo-Headphone-NwAvGuy/dp/B00EJ9405O

 

Sorry, OP for the thread jack. 

[Guest]

I wasn't aware of the quality of the e10k. I know there are better DAC/amps out there. My post was less about that particular DAC, and more about nabbing a  DAC in general. I will try to steer people away from that one, I suppose. I'm looking into one myself right now. Is this a good option? http://www.amazon.com/JDSLABS-Objective2-Combo-Headphone-NwAvGuy/dp/B00EJ9405O

 

Sorry, OP for the thread jack. 

 

To further clarify, the E10K is not terrible for the money if USB is the only option. But it's clear that Fiio is more interested in rushing as many products to market as possible vs. actually taking the time to engineer them. As an example, the original E10 went through at least three silent revisions while the E10K barely improved on that.

 

In the price range, I recommend the SMSL SD793-II over the E10K if optical output is available.

 

JDS seems to do good work, and the O2 and ODAC designs are of course well-tested.

[KayMarie_SB]

To further clarify, the E10K is not terrible for the money if USB is the only option. But it's clear that Fiio is more interested in rushing as many products to market as possible vs. actually taking the time to engineer them. As an example, the original E10 went through at least three silent revisions while the E10K barely improved on that.

 

In the price range, I recommend the SMSL SD793-II over the E10K if optical output is available.

 

JDS seems to do good work, and the O2 and ODAC designs are of course well-tested.

Looks like the O2+ODAC it is, then.  I will definitely leave the DAC/Amp recommendations to you. I'm fairly new here, but you seem to know your stuff from what I have seen. Thanks!