Does anything outperform the O2+ODAC?

[Hyydrah]

Just wondering if anything can beat the O2+ODAC combo that has a flat, realistic sound signature.

[boozerc]

I think I've read in head-fi.org (I'm not sure where) that the Schitt Magni/Modi stack performs similarly to O2+ODAC.

[Hyydrah]

I think I've read in head-fi.org (I'm not sure where) that the Schitt Magni/Modi stack performs similarly to O2+ODAC.

I've read about that as well but I prefer having one unit that is available in black brushed aluminium. I probably should have stated that earlier, but thanks anyway.

[Irontheater]

Just wondering if anything can beat the O2+ODAC combo that has a flat, realistic sound signature.

 

Are you talking better than the O2+ODAC on a budget ?

 

Or just in general?

 

Because at 300$, that's still far from the best that you can get.

(also, there is no single "best" sounding dac, they all sound different, and will please different people)

[Hyydrah]

Are you talking better than the O2+ODAC on a budget ?

 

Or just in general?

 

Because at 300$, that's still far from the best that you can get.

(also, there is no single "best" sounding dac, they all sound different, and will please different people)

Without a budget.

 

Have you tried it yet? Because from what I've been told, it even outperforms competitors that cost $1000+.

[Irontheater]

Without a budget.

 

Have you tried it yet? Because from what I've been told, it even outperforms competitors that cost $1000+.

 

I have tried them (although I don't own it). 

 

And they sound genuinely good. But I wouldn't say they outperform much more expensive alternatives.

 

DACs such as the M-DAC by Audiolab is a good (non pricey) upgrade from them.

If you wanted to venture a bit more dCS, Naim, Chord Electronics, Bryston... etc all offer more premium sounding equipment, at the expense of higher price. A lot higher, actually. Some of these sell for over $3k (8k iirc for the dcs debbusy).

And that's still getting you only a DAC. Amps also have a wide range of prices ranging from good, to better. (your DAC+Amp could end up costing upwards of $10k)

 

But back to reasonable prices, O2+ODAC is definitely a good start when venturing into Hi-Fi equipment.

[h264]

The O2 was created to prove an amp could be designed on a scope, measure to nwavguy's standards, be audibly transparent, and sound subjectively good. Maybe something can best it at measured performance, but at that point you probably can't tell the difference. At least as headphones go.

[Hyydrah]

The O2 was created to prove an amp could be designed on a scope, measure to nwavguy's standards, be audibly transparent, and sound subjectively good. Maybe something can best it at measured performance, but at that point you probably can't tell the difference. At least as headphones go.

So I should just go with it? Also, is the ODAC really going to make any noticeable improvement or should I just get the O2?

[h264]

So I should just go with it? Also, is the ODAC really going to make any noticeable improvement or should I just get the O2?

 

what do you have now?

[Hyydrah]

what do you have now?

Rampage IV Formula with HD 600s.

[h264]

Rampage IV Formula with HD 600s.

 

oh, so you have a Realtek ALC892 (with a fancy shield and name) connected to HD 600s?  Does it get loud enough for your tastes?

[Hyydrah]

oh, so you have a Realtek ALC892 (with a fancy shield and name) connected to HD 600s?  Does it get loud enough for your tastes?

It's a tad quiet, I have to boost the gain about 8-10dB in Foobar to get it to where I'd like it, at least for listening to music. Youtube videos, etc. are loud enough though.

[ShearMe]

You could probably find something cheaper that measures just as good or is better sounding subjectively, and there's always DIY solutions if you really wanted to stretch your money. Probably isn't worth spending more unless you want a particular layout, feature, or style.

[h264]

You could probably find something cheaper that measures just as good or is better sounding subjectively, and there's always DIY solutions if you really wanted to stretch your money. Probably isn't worth spending more unless you want a particular layout, feature, or style.

 

well for HD600s, only because I just got a pair of HD650s and know how hard they are to drive, I would recommend going with the O2+ODAC if you can afford it.  FiiO E10 would be nice, but it's not gonna cut it.  His onboard isn't doing it either, obviously.  I KNOW for a fact an O2 will drive a 650 with general ease.

 

get one with the 1x/2.5x gain option if you get it with an ODAC would be my other recommendation.

 

EDIT: tl;dr: get either an O2 and attach it to your line out or something similairly as powerful, or get the O2+ODAC combo since it sounds like you want that anyways.

[ShearMe]

 FiiO E10 would be nice, but it's not gonna cut it.  His onboard isn't doing it either, obviously. 

 

I wasn't even going to recommend those, mister!

 

 

EDIT: tl;dr: get either an O2 and attach it to your line out or something similairly as powerful, or get the O2+ODAC combo since it sounds like you want that anyways.

 

FYI, in a personal pm I recommended he get a DAC if he's getting a decent external amp, but that he could get the amp first and see if it's good enough. 

[h264]

I wasn't even going to recommend those, mister!

 

Just making sure.

 

FYI, in a personal pm I recommended he get a DAC if he's getting a decent external amp, but that he could get the amp first and see if it's good enough. 

 

yeah, I agree.

[Hyydrah]

FYI, in a personal pm I recommended he get a DAC if he's getting a decent external amp, but that he could get the amp first and see if it's good enough. 

I figure that for $300, I may as well get an all in one unit that can be used on devices with crappy DACs as well. It'll be moved around occasionally so it'd be ideal.

 

Also, since you guys are here, is it possible to use an external DAC with onboard sound and not have an external amp paired with it (not that I plan on doing this)? I'm guessing not based on what you told me a while ago.

[OddballMV]

I figure that for $300, I may as well get an all in one unit that can be used on devices with crappy DACs as well. It'll be moved around occasionally so it'd be ideal.

 

Audio GD do some nice all in one units for a great price.

[h264]

I figure that for $300, I may as well get an all in one unit that can be used on devices with crappy DACs as well. It'll be moved around occasionally so it'd be ideal.

Also, since you guys are here, is it possible to use an external DAC with onboard sound and not have an external amp paired with it (not that I plan on doing this)? I'm guessing not based on what you told me a while ago.

If you get an external DAC you won't need your onboard at all, but you will still need an external headphone amp. You could definitely hook an external amp like the O2 to your onboard, however.

[ShearMe]

Also, since you guys are here, is it possible to use an external DAC with onboard sound and not have an external amp paired with it (not that I plan on doing this)? I'm guessing not based on what you told me a while ago.

 

What h264 said. On board doesn't have analog inputs for the amp chip, and I doubt anyone'd be silly enough to use it if they did.

 

There are "DACs" that include amps and "Amps" that include DACs, like an ODAC+O2 in the same shell. I don't know any combined solutions that are as good as the Objective, however.