Do I need a DAC?

[jnmbhj]

I am starting to get into the better audio. 

 

I currently own the HD 558 with Foam Mod. But I do plan on upgrading to something better in a few months. Maybe a HD 650 (Something in the 300-400 range) 

 

But I am not sure if I need to upgrade my sound system. I was think of getting a FiiO E10 DAC/AMP  (this is by far the cheapest) or a shit DAC and AMP ($200) or the Mayflower O2 REV B.($300) (I think the price was about $150 a few years ago)

 

But will I even notice a noticeable difference? 

 

I am currently on a MSI Gaming 5 on board sound

 

With dedicated PCB, EMI shielding,  ALC 1150 chip along with Dual Texus Instruments OPA 1652 Sound amp. One is also powered by a dedicated Molex 5v power connector. 

 

http://www.ti.com/product/opa1652

 

http://us.msi.com/product/motherboard/Z97-GAMING-5.html#hero-overview

 

It also has a Dynamic Range 24 bit 192 kHz at 104 db(A) 

 

Also it runs my headphones pretty well. I usually listen to songs at 30% volume. 35% gets kinda loud for me. I also do not hear any static when playing a blank file at 100% volume. 

[jnmbhj]

Maybe @SSL  knows a thing or two about audio. 

[STRMfrmXMN]

I am starting to get into the better audio. 

 

I currently own the HD 558 with Foam Mod. But I do plan on upgrading to something better in a few months. Maybe a HD 650 (Something in the 300-400 range) 

 

But I am not sure if I need to upgrade my sound system. I was think of getting a FiiO E10 DAC/AMP  (this is by far the cheapest) or a shit DAC and AMP ($200) or the Mayflower O2 REV B.($300) (I think the price was about $150 a few years ago)

 

But will I even notice a noticeable difference? 

 

I am currently on a MSI Gaming 5 on board sound

 

With dedicated PCB, EMI shielding,  ALC 1150 chip along with Dual Texus Instruments OPA 1652 Sound amp. One is also powered by a dedicated Molex 5v power connector. 

 

http://www.ti.com/product/opa1652

 

http://us.msi.com/product/motherboard/Z97-GAMING-5.html#hero-overview

 

It also has a Dynamic Range 24 bit 192 kHz at 104 db(A) 

 

Also it runs my headphones pretty well. I usually listen to songs at 30% volume. 35% gets kinda loud for me. I also do not hear any static when playing a blank file at 100% volume. 

I'd suggest a Micca Origen. Much better than an E10 (it's a replica Audioengine D1 with a differnt, more convenient shape), has multiple ports, sounds awesome and is just... better than an E10k. See if that improves your audio game enough to the point where you want to replace your 558s as those are pretty good headphones.

[spwath]

No,i woodent get a dac

[Guest]

Don't buy a DAC. Don't waste money on a Fiio or Micca or Monoprice POS combo; especially if you're going to get the HD650 in a bit.

 

I prefer the "total budget" approach of allocating funds for audio: buy the headphone that you want and spend the difference on a reasonable amp. Unless you are spending $1000 or more in total, don't bother with a DAC, except possibly a cheap one to overcome noise/interference. "Futureproofing" or "avoiding a bottleneck" are not valid reasons to waste money on the Modi or ODAC. You want to maximize your tranducer and pair it with a good amp. That is where the majority of your sound reproduction quality will come from.

 

So what should you buy, then. I say, get the headphone first. If your motherboard gets them loud enough without issues, stick with that for the time being. If you want to then move to a dedicated amp, I'd say that a Schiit Magni 2 would be a reasonable place to start. It's a lot of amp for $100.

[jnmbhj]

Don't buy a DAC. Don't waste money on a Fiio or Micca or Monoprice POS combo; especially if you're going to get the HD650 in a bit.

 

I prefer the "total budget" approach of allocating funds for audio: buy the headphone that you want and spend the difference on a reasonable amp. Unless you are spending $1000 or more in total, don't bother with a DAC, except possibly a cheap one to overcome noise/interference. "Futureproofing" or "avoiding a bottleneck" are not valid reasons to waste money on the Modi or ODAC. You want to maximize your tranducer and pair it with a good amp. That is where the majority of your sound reproduction quality will come from.

 

So what should you buy, then. I say, get the headphone first. If your motherboard gets them loud enough without issues, stick with that for the time being. If you want to then move to a dedicated amp, I'd say that a Schiit Magni 2 would be a reasonable place to start. It's a lot of amp for $100.

Oh, Thanks. I was under the impression that an DAC and AMP would make most audio devices better. I see videos by tek Syndicate about audio, and he says for most audio sources, a DAC and AMP will be better. But it turns out even the NwAVguy says its not necessary unless there is noticeable hiss, or can't power the headphones. 

 

Also completed my first step of the Golden Ears challenge (Officially passed the Basic Level) Didn't miss anything yet. 

[Guest]

Oh, Thanks. I was under the impression that an DAC and AMP would make most audio devices better. I see videos by tek Syndicate about audio, and he says for most audio sources, a DAC and AMP will be better. But it turns out even the NwAVguy says its not necessary unless there is noticeable hiss, or can't power the headphones. 

 

Also completed my first step of the Golden Ears challenge (Officially passed the Basic Level) Didn't miss anything yet. 

 

Tek Syndicate is not the most reliable source for audio. In general I'd say that the whole DAC+amp for PC audio has been greatly over-hyped, especially when it comes to the O2 and ODAC. Fact remains that most of a budget should go to the headphone, with what remains into the amp.

[jnmbhj]

Tek Syndicate is not the most reliable source for audio. In general I'd say that the whole DAC+amp for PC audio has been greatly over-hyped, especially when it comes to the O2 and ODAC. Fact remains that most of a budget should go to the headphone, with what remains into the amp.

Now, in terms of files, what should i be looking for? I know to stay far away from 128 kbps, but as for 320 kbps or flac or some other formats (.wav) Is it worth trying to build up a library with those specific formats? 

 

I don't really notice a difference now between 320 kbps mp3 vs flac but after upgrading... I am not sure. 

[Guest]

Now, in terms of files, what should i be looking for? I know to stay far away from 128 kbps, but as for 320 kbps or flac or some other formats (.wav) Is it worth trying to build up a library with those specific formats? 

 

I don't really notice a difference now between 320 kbps mp3 vs flac but after upgrading... I am not sure. 

 

256kbps MP3/192kbps AAC or better. If you're ripping from CD, might as well do FLAC. Don't bother paying extra for high-res downloads (24-bit, 96kHz+).