Amp or DAC

[WORMc337_2]

I have had the Sennheiser G4me Zero headset for a while now andwant to purchase a Amp or DAC. I am new to this and am not sure whetherto buy a AMP or DAC Also, my price range is around $150 any good suggestions, I believe this headset is hard to drive, but I know nothing about audio. Thanks!

 

[2FA]

Do you even know the difference between an amp and a DAC?

[ShearMe]

Many products that are called a DAC also actually contain an amp, so I understand the confusion.

I'd suggest something at about half your budget: either the FiiO E10K or SMSL SD793II. Both have their pros and cons separate from the other.

[WORMc337_2]

Many products that are called a DAC also actually contain an amp, so I understand the confusion.

I'd suggest something at about half your budget: either the FiiO E10K or SMSL SD793II. Both have their pros and cons separate from the other.

Alright, so I should get a DAC then, as long as it has a amp build in?

 

[Necrodead]

but I know nothing about audio. Thanks!

 

Do you even know the difference between an amp and a DAC?

And Like @ShearMe said, it isn't black and white when it comes to DACs and amps.

 

I personally like the ASUS Xonar DAC, which also has a headphone amp.

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA7RD2WX2550&cm_re=asus_xonar-_-29-132-073-_-Product

[WORMc337_2]

Do you even know the difference between an amp and a DAC?

Not helpful.

[ShearMe]

Alright, so I should get a DAC then, as long as it has a amp build in?

 

 

That is generally the best practice, yes. All you really need is the amp portion, but due to potential interference it's best to simply get an all-in-one.

[Oshino Shinobu]

A DAC and AMP perform very different roles. a DAC (digital to analogue converter) converts the digital data from your PC to an analogue signal that can be sent through headphones and speakers as soundwaves. An AMP (Amplifier) essentially amplifies the sound and gives it volume. A lot of cheaper DACs come with an AMP built in like the FiiO E10K.

[WORMc337_2]

And Like @ShearMe said, it isn't black and white when it comes to DACs and amps.

 

I personally like the ASUS Xonar DAC, which also has a headphone amp.

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA7RD2WX2550&cm_re=asus_xonar-_-29-132-073-_-Product

Ok thanks that looks good.

[Necrodead]

Alright, so I should get a DAC then, as long as it has a amp build in?

 

If you have low impedance headphones an AMP is not nessacary, but if you have medium or high impedance you will need an amp to get the sound as loud as you want it. You'll have to pardon me for adding more confusing words, but if you google the name of your cans along with impedance you'll probably find the number. 75-150ohms is low. (IIRC)

[WORMc337_2]

That is generally the best practice, yes. All you really need is the amp portion, but due to potential interference it's best to simply get an all-in-one.

Ok thanks, looks like ill probably get the asus xonar one.

[WORMc337_2]

If you have low impedance headphones an AMP is not nessacary, but if you have medium or high impedance you will need an amp to get the sound as loud as you want it. You'll have to pardon me for adding more confusing words, but if you google the name of your cans along with impedance you'll probably find the number. <20ohms is low, 20-50is medium and higher is, well higher. (IIRC)

Pretty sure mine are 150ohms, pretty high, so definetly need an amp then?

[ShearMe]

If you have low impedance headphones an AMP is not nessacary, but if you have medium or high impedance you will need an amp to get the sound as loud as you want it. You'll have to pardon me for adding more confusing words, but if you google the name of your cans along with impedance you'll probably find the number. 75-150ohms is low. (IIRC)

 

Impedance is not the only factor in this. Read: The Impedance Ballad

 

Ok thanks, looks like ill probably get the asus xonar one.

 

I want to recommend against it simply because the headphone port is on the back, but whatever floats your boat.

[Stagea]

A DAC and AMP perform very different roles. a DAC (digital to analogue converter) converts the digital data from your PC to an analogue signal that can be sent through headphones and speakers as soundwaves. An AMP (Amplifier) essentially amplifies the sound and gives it volume. A lot of cheaper DACs come with an AMP built in like the FiiO E10K.

 

There are also "amplifiers" that are just powerful DACs. Direct Digital Amps come to mind (some refer to them as Power DACs).

[WORMc337_2]

There are also "amplifiers" that are just powerful DACs. Direct Digital Amps come to mind (some refer to them as Power DACs).

Could you give me any suggestions for one to buy?

[ShearMe]

There are also "amplifiers" that are just powerful DACs. Direct Digital Amps come to mind (some refer to them as Power DACs).

 

That sounds like audiopeel circlejerking to me. Putting a DAC in an amp doesn't make it a powerful DAC, nor does putting an amp in a DAC. It's merely integration, not innovation.

 

 

Could you give me any suggestions for one to buy?

 

These would be for speakers, buddy.

[Necrodead]

Impedance is not the only factor in this. Read: The Impedance Ballad

 

 

Good to read, thanks.

[ShearMe]

Good to read, thanks.

 

Always happy to educate.

[Stagea]

That sounds like audiopeel circlejerking to me. Putting a DAC in an amp doesn't make it a powerful DAC, nor does putting an amp in a DAC. It's merely integration, not innovation.

 

 

They really do not have analogue amplifiers inside. They are DACs with high voltage and high current outputs, powerful enough to drive not just headphones but even less sensitive speakers.

[Asulenovcer]

Amp is used to boost volume and DAC is used to convert digital signals into analogue signals. The better the DAC the better the sound you will hear.

[WORMc337_2]

Always happy to educate.

 

 

So in my price range ($150), any suggestions? Just need to know what to buy.

[ShearMe]

They really do not have analogue amplifiers inside. They are DACs with high voltage and high current outputs, powerful enough to drive not just headphones but even less sensitive speakers.

Have a link? Google results seem to imply otherwise, but we all know how that works.   

 

So in my price range ($150), any suggestions? Just need to know what to buy.

 

Other than the two I already mentioned? (SMSL SD793-II or FiiO E10K)

 

If you really want to spend more, the Monoprice Desktop Headphone Amplifier (yes that is the product name) is about a hundred bucks. Everything else worth mentioning is over budget.

[WORMc337_2]

 

Other than the two I already mentioned? (SMSL SD793-II or FiiO E10K)

Sorry I missed those, my bad thanks for the help.

[ShearMe]

Sorry I missed those, my bad thanks for the help.

 

Another thing that I can do now that I'm at my PC, copy pasta time!

 

The first important thing to note is that the SMSL uses Optical S/PDIF as an input, and has it's own power brick, whereas the FiiO gets both power and audio over USB. It's not specifically a factor for audio quality, but it is an important difference. One less cable for the FiiO means better portability and fewer connections to fiddle with.

 

Build quality wise, I give the edge to the SMSL. Since it is slightly bigger it has the room to put in bigger connections which are more durable than the space savers in the FiiO. Additionally the internals of the FiiO are often not soldered very nicely to the PCB, which has lead to longevity issues for some users. As I said earlier, I've only had the original E10, but reports/reviews about the E10K make me think they haven't made many changes to their manufacturing process.

 

Feature wise, the FiiO does have a "bass boost" switch which can be useful and fun in some instances. It also has a gain switch (low and high) which gives you more flexibility in how loud or quiet you need your headphones to be. The SMSL has much higher gain than the FiiO's "high" setting delivers, and can actually deliver the necessary power due to it's separate power supply (wall wart). This is a blessing and a curse. Past half way on the volume there is noticeable background static with nothing playing, and you will likely have to decrease the windows volume settings in order to get usable turn out of the volume knob.

 

One funny but irrelevant thing I've just noticed is that the DAC in the SMSL makes an audible click when it turns on and off as you set the windows volume to 0.  

[Stagea]

Have a link? Google results seem to imply otherwise, but we all know how that works. 

 

Lyngdorf/Steinway-Lyngdorf, TacT, NAD, Wadia, Optoma/Nuforce, Core Audio, AVA Media, Devialet, etc. have been making them for sometime. TacT pioneered it in 1998 and it is now considered among the cleanest ways to reproduce audio.

 

Here's one example:

http://www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/core-audio-kratos-mkii-fully-digital-amplifier

 

Steinway-Lyngdorf makes high end HiFi and A/V gear using Direct Digital designs.