looking for a dac/amp for headphones 1k range

[LancerBG]

I was hoping you guys could help me find some dac/amps for headphones in the 1k u.s. range. Must have usb and optical/toslink, 1/4 inch/6.3mm headphone jack inputs. I was looking at the oppo ha-1 which is super sexy and reviewed very well and also looking at the Schiit Lyr 2 and bifrost combo at about the same price but reviews for the updated combo are not really easy to come by. That 5 years warranty though! Do you guys know of any other dac/amps around that price range that are worth taking a look at and meet my needs? I looked at all the major electronics sites but was hoping you guys might now some boutique brands that I am not aware of. Any tips or info is appreciated. Thanks. 

 

Oh, just fyi I have been working my way up the dac price scale and yes I do think it's worth it

[spwath]

What headphones do you have?

[LancerBG]

What headphones do you have?

 

right now I mostly use my HD800 for music and my DT1770 pro's for gaming. I am still playing with a couple other pairs of cans but not sure if I am keeping them. 

[spwath]

right now I mostly use my HD800 for music and my DT1770 pro's for gaming. I am still playing with a couple other pairs of cans but not sure if I am keeping them. 

you probably shouldent be spending as much/more money on your amp/dac than your headphones

[SSL]

Val-U: Schiit Vali 2 + Modi 2 Uber

 

OR

 

Crazy: Schiit Valhalla 2 + Bifrost Multibit

 

you probably shouldent be spending as much/more money on your amp/dac than your headphones

 

HD800 is pretty endgame, I don't see any reason not go nuts after $1500 is already down the drain.

[LancerBG]

you probably shouldent be spending as much/more money on your amp/dac than your headphones

 

Call me OCD but I like to spend money on shit I dont need. You sound like my wife now lol. I buy new cans every few months and they just keep getting more and more expensive, same with amps/dacs. It's this or hookers and blow. 

[EndlessOyster]

right now I mostly use my HD800 for music and my DT1770 pro's for gaming. I am still playing with a couple other pairs of cans but not sure if I am keeping them. 

Maybe out of your price range in dollars not to sure, but have you thought about sennhsiers HDV800, its literal designed for the hd800

 

Call me OCD but I like to spend money on shit I dont need. You sound like my wife now lol. I buy new cans every few months and they just keep getting more and more expensive, same with amps/dacs. It's this or hookers and blow. 

Fuck the headphones hookers and blow!

[LancerBG]

Val-U: Schiit Vali 2 + Modi 2 Uber

 

OR

 

Crazy: Schiit Valhalla 2 + Bifrost Multibit

 

 

HD800 is pretty endgame, I don't see any reason not go nuts after $1500 is already down the drain.

 

any reason why you paired the Valhalla with the bifrost? I just paired the way I did based on stacking size. 

[spwath]

Val-U: Schiit Vali 2 + Modi 2 Uber

 

OR

 

Crazy: Schiit Valhalla 2 + Bifrost Multibit

 

 

HD800 is pretty endgame, I don't see any reason not go nuts after $1500 is already down the drain.

1100$ now http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Over-Ear-Circum-Aural-Dynamic-Headphone/dp/B001OTZ8DA

 

But yeah, I see your point.

 

Call me OCD but I like to spend money on shit I dont need. You sound like my wife now lol. I buy new cans every few months and they just keep getting more and more expensive, same with amps/dacs. It's this or hookers and blow. 

Good luck upgrading hd800.

But I get you

[LancerBG]

Val-U: Schiit Vali 2 + Modi 2 Uber

 

OR

 

Crazy: Schiit Valhalla 2 + Bifrost Multibit

 

 

HD800 is pretty endgame, I don't see any reason not go nuts after $1500 is already down the drain.

 

I agree but I dont...different phones just give you a different texture with sound, different sound stages and it's nice to change things up. 

[SSL]

any reason why you paired the Valhalla with the bifrost? I just paired the way I did based on stacking size. 

 

Yes. Valhalla 2 is quite resolving, plus OTL SET tube amps are good for high Z cans. And the Bifrost has the inputs you want, plus the multibit is warmish, so a good offset to the HD800.

[LancerBG]

Yes. Valhalla 2 is quite resolving, plus OTL SET tubes amps are good for high Z cans. And the Bifrost has the inputs you want, plus the multibit is warmish, so a good offset to the HD800.

 

Sounds like something to consider especially with that 2 week trial period they offer. Thanks. 

[SSL]

Sounds like something to consider especially with that 2 week trial period they offer. Thanks. 

 

Yep. The Vali/Modi combo is higher value, though, and probably the only DAC/amp you'd ever need.

 

The Vali is more versatile because it is a hybrid, and so you can drive planars and stuff from it, unlike the Valhalla.

[xtroria]

Bottlehead crack and modi 2 uber is a very popular combo for HD800

[LancerBG]

Bottlehead crack and modi 2 uber is a very popular combo for HD800

 

That's a company I never heard of...going to check them out and do some research, thanks. 

[SSL]

That's a company I never heard of...going to check them out and do some research, thanks. 

 

It's a DIY kit. Very much a traditional, warm "tube sound".

[Lays]

It's a DIY kit. Very much a traditional, warm "tube sound".

 

wat did u do with old grumpy SSL that hates all audiofeels stuff?

 

(new ssl is nice too)

 

 

@OP  Lyr or Valhalla would be a good match, I really liked my HD800 + Lyr, except I never got around to trying the Valhalla although I wanted to.  I didn't try any tubes other than stock either

[SSL]

wat did u do with old grumpy SSL that hates all audiofeels stuff?

 

Buy an ODAC you FUCK.

 

Yeah, there he is.

[Lays]

Buy an ODAC you FUCK.

 

Yeah, there he is.

 

luv u

[xtroria]

luv u

Idk what happened to the old @SSL

Did headfi hit him like a truck

[SSL]

Idk what happened to the old @SSL

Did headfi hit him like a truck

 

The new changstar.com.

 

Let's just say, I'm a a bit more open-minded about things than I was. Head-fi is still as much cancer as ever.

[spwath]

The new changstar.com.

Let's just say, I'm a a bit more open-minded about things than I was. Head-fi is still as much cancer as ever.

I take out changstar.com was a good audio forum, as is the one you linked?

[SSL]

I take out changstar.com was a good audio forum, as is the one you linked?

 

Less terrible than head-fi. They do measurements and don't forbid talking about blind testing.

[spwath]

Less terrible than head-fi. They do measurements and don't forbid talking about blind testing.

Well actual data is always good. Much more so than "Oh yeah, I got this 1k tube amp for my 500$ headphones, it really drives them to their full potential for a nice smooth silky sound. Buy it."

[Eddprzz]

I was hoping you guys could help me find some dac/amps for headphones in the 1k u.s. range. Must have usb and optical/toslink, 1/4 inch/6.3mm headphone jack inputs. I was looking at the oppo ha-1 which is super sexy and reviewed very well and also looking at the Schiit Lyr 2 and bifrost combo at about the same price but reviews for the updated combo are not really easy to come by. That 5 years warranty though! Do you guys know of any other dac/amps around that price range that are worth taking a look at and meet my needs? I looked at all the major electronics sites but was hoping you guys might now some boutique brands that I am not aware of. Any tips or info is appreciated. Thanks.

Oh, just fyi I have been working my way up the dac price scale and yes I do think it's worth it

personally I would recommend the schiit bifrost uber dac with the cavali audio liquid carbon amp because it has a balanced input or the woo audio wa6 because the sound imo is very good on the tubes