What DAC to get?

[Schoolofmonkey]

I'm looking around for a resonable priced DAC.

It has to be able to drive some Sennheiser HD518's, which are 50ohm.

 

I was looking at these 2 in particular:

 

SMSL M6 384KHZ/32Bit DAC+Headphone Amplifier All-in-One Optic/Coaxial/USB

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/301622227613?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&var=600496167454&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT#shpCntId

 

Parameters:

USB Input: 16bit-32bit / 32kHz-384kHz (asynchronous)

Optical/Coaxial: 16bit-24bit / 32kHz-192kHz

RCA Output Level: 2Vrms

THD + N: <0.003%

Dynamic Range:> 115dB

SNR:> 120dB

Channel separation:> 110dB

 

Headphone Amp power: (@ 1% THD + N)

32Ω 130mW

64Ω 270mW

150Ω 220mW

300Ω 120mW

Amp distortion: 0.003%@10mW 300Ω

 

$235AU from SMSL directly (China)

 

or the:

 

Matrix Audio M-Stage HPA-2 Headphone Amplifier with 24bit/192kHz USB DAC

http://www.noisymotel.com/product.asp?ProductID=535

 

Perormance Specifications 

Drive headphones up to 600 ohms

Frequency Response: 10Hz (-0.3dB) to 35 kHz (-1dB)

SNR: >95dB at 0dB gain

Distortion: <0.001% at 6mW/300Ω

Headphone Output Power: 200mW/300Ω, 400mW/60Ω

Headphone Output Impedance: 5Ω

Line Output Impedance: 60Ω

RCA Input Impedance: 47kΩ

 

$315 for ex demo (which means it actually has been tested..lol)

 

Which would be the

1) Safer Buy

2) Better value/More reliable

 

Thanks..

[Fluffinator]

Why do you think you need a DAC?

There's are more then the actual headphones just get better headphones.

[Schoolofmonkey]

Why do you think you need a DAC?

There's are more then the actual headphones just get better headphones.

 

Because my onboard sound will not drive any headphones at a audible level, no matter which headphones I use, whether it's my HD518s, 598's, Audio-Technica AD2000X's, Audio-Technica ATH-WS99's or anything else I've tried.

 

 

I want solid stereo sound performance for audio reproduction.

 

Wasn't expecting that kind of response actually, but thanks anyway 

[Fluffinator]

Because my onboard sound will not drive any headphones at a audible level, no matter which headphones I use, whether it's my HD518s, 598's, Audio-Technica AD2000X's, Audio-Technica ATH-WS99's or anything else I've tried.

 

 

I want solid stereo sound performance for audio reproduction.

 

Wasn't expecting that kind of response actually, but thanks anyway 

You need a AMP if there not loud enough not a DAC. Look into a combo for a DAC/AMP such as the SMSL (if you have a optical out) or maybe something like the Fio E10k, I would suggest saving some money and saving up for better headphones with the extra cash.

[Schoolofmonkey]

You need a AMP if there not loud enough not a DAC. Look into a combo for a DAC/AMP such as the SMSL (if you have a optical out) or maybe something like the Fio E10k, I would suggest saving some money and saving up for better headphones with the extra cash.

 

 

The 2 DAC's I listed are AMP/DAC combo's, I was asking which of the 2 people would prefer..

SMSL direct from Hong Kong or the Matrix HPA-2 locally. (Australia)

 

I wouldn't want to drop $1000+ on headphones BEFORE having something to drive them would I... 

[Guest]

Listing out meaningless specs isn't the way to go about this.

 

Everything at this price point is about equally mediocre; decide which to get based on features and reviews.

 

I will also concur that at most you should get an amp - assuming that neither the front or back audio out on your motherboard can get your headphones loud enough.

[Schoolofmonkey]

Listing out meaningless specs isn't the way to go about this.

 

Everything at this price point is about equally mediocre; decide which to get based on features and reviews.

 

I will also concur that at most you should get an amp - assuming that neither the front or back audio out on your motherboard can get your headphones loud enough.

 

I do agree reading specs means nothing in the end, I was hoping someone may have used either or both DAC's at one stage and give feedback.

My onboard doesn't drive any of my headphones to decent levels, full volume and I still struggle to hear a movie's quiet scene, heck even loud scenes are hard to hear.

 

I jumped in a grabbed a SMSL SD-793II, for $90AU I'm not loosing much, it has Coax/Optical Inputs, and would have to drive the headphones much louder than the onboard, even if it only does 35ohms max.

 

Plus the Youtube review sings it's praises:

[Guest]

I do agree reading specs means nothing in the end, I was hoping someone may have used either or both DAC's at one stage and give feedback.

My onboard doesn't drive any of my headphones to decent levels, full volume and I still struggle to hear a movie's quiet scene, heck even loud scenes are hard to hear.

 

I jumped in a grabbed a SMSL SD-793II, for $90AU I'm not loosing much, it has Coax/Optical Inputs, and would have to drive the headphones much louder than the onboard, even if it only does 35ohms max.

 

Yes, Zeos shits himself over any product that is both cheap and makes sound come out.

 

I can endorse the SMSL SD793-II; not sure  where you're getting "35 ohms max".

[Schoolofmonkey]

Yes, Zeos shits himself over any product that is both cheap and makes sound come out.

 

I can endorse the SMSL SD793-II; not sure  where you're getting "35 ohms max".

 

This is from the product page:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290786571436?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Input interfaces: coaxial / Optical (with switch)

- Input Frequency: 44.1,48,96 KHZ/16/24BIT

- SNR:> 113db

- Dynamic Range: 105db

- Distortion: 1KHZ% 0.0006 following

- Rated output: 1.7VPP

- Frequency response :20-20KHz (-0.2 dB)

- Total power <8W

- Earphone output power: 65mW @ 16Ω; 130mW @ 32Ω

- Headphone output distortion: 0.01% THD + N _AT_ 100mW/32Ω

 

I was told on a local forum (Whirlpool) that the specification doesn't show that it only drives a maximum of 32 Ohm at all, the maker just chose not to provide a rating for any higher impedances.

Glad to get a secondary endorsement of the DAC though 

[Guest]

This is from the product page:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290786571436?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Input interfaces: coaxial / Optical (with switch)

- Input Frequency: 44.1,48,96 KHZ/16/24BIT

- SNR:> 113db

- Dynamic Range: 105db

- Distortion: 1KHZ% 0.0006 following

- Rated output: 1.7VPP

- Frequency response :20-20KHz (-0.2 dB)

- Total power <8W

- Earphone output power: 65mW @ 16Ω; 130mW @ 32Ω

- Headphone output distortion: 0.01% THD + N _AT_ 100mW/32Ω

 

I was told on a local forum (Whirlpool) that the specification doesn't show that it only drives a maximum of 32 Ohm at all, the maker just chose not to provide a rating for any higher impedances.

Glad to get a secondary endorsement of the DAC though 

 

Still not sure why you keep regurgitating specs here. It isn't useful.

[Schoolofmonkey]

Still not sure why you keep regurgitating specs here. It isn't useful.

 

You just asked where they (overclock.net guy) got 32ohms from, so I was showing you.

I already figured from your last comment reading specs mean nothing.... 

 

I've already bought the SD-793II, they shipped it this morning, SMSL were quick, I did fine other sellers, but I thought it'd be better going directly to the source, costed me a extra $5, but I don't mind for piece of mind..