$300 DAC & AMP

[pvtmatchsticks]

I just bought a pair of Sennhieser HD 650 and I need a dac and amp to go with them. I wanted something in the range of $300 USD. Going for something with clean audio.

I was thinking maybe Fiio k5 with a JDS LABS ODAC or maybe Aune X1s.

Please leave any suggestions below, budget is just a guide line.

[Guest]

If you have an acceptable motherboard, Schiit Valhalla 2 amplifier.

 

If you don't want to spend that much, or have bad onboard, Schiit Modi 2 Uber (DAC), and Magni 2 Uber or Vali 2 for the amp.

[Tech Lover]

6 minutes ago, pvtmatchsticks said:

I just bought a pair of Sennhieser HD 650 and I need a dac and amp to go with them. I wanted something in the range of $300 USD. Going for something with clean audio.

I was thinking maybe Fiio k5 with a JDS LABS ODAC or maybe Aune X1s.

Please leave any suggestions below, budget is just a guide line.

clean u say, O2/ODAC combo under $300

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Tech Lover said:

clean u say, O2/ODAC combo under $300

 

No. Poor value compared to Schiit. The AKM 4490 is generally thought to sound better than the Sabre DAC in the ODAC as well.

[pvtmatchsticks]

4 minutes ago, SSL said:

If you have an acceptable motherboard, Schiit Valhalla 2 amplifier.

 

If you don't want to spend that much, or have bad onboard, Schiit Modi 2 Uber (DAC), and Magni 2 Uber or Vali 2 for the amp.

My on board is pretty good its the Asus impact viii. I did look a schiit magni 2 and schiit asgard.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, pvtmatchsticks said:

My on board is pretty good its the Asus impact viii. I did look a schiit modi and schiit asgard.

 

You should consider the Valhalla 2. It's considered one of the best amps for the HD 650 under $1000 due to the extremely clear, detailed sound.

[pvtmatchsticks]

5 minutes ago, Tech Lover said:

clean u say, O2/ODAC combo under $300

yes I have given this some consideration. What is better O2 or fiio k5

[pvtmatchsticks]

3 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

You should consider the Valhalla 2. It's considered one of the best amps for the HD 650 under $1000 due to the extremely clear, detailed sound.

How is it better then the Asgard? I have never used either just wondering if there is a big difference?

[Guest]

1 minute ago, pvtmatchsticks said:

How is it better then the Asgard? I have never used either just wondering if there is a big difference?

 

Asgard is a bit warmer, which is not necessarily the best thing for the already warm HD 650. The Valhalla is an OTL tube amp specifically designed for high impedance headphones.

[pvtmatchsticks]

5 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

You should consider the Valhalla 2. It's considered one of the best amps for the HD 650 under $1000 due to the extremely clear, detailed sound.

I also feel tube amps are not the best for clean audio. but I am a noobi

[Guest]

1 minute ago, pvtmatchsticks said:

I also feel tube amps are not the best for clean audio. but I am a noobi

 

Not really the case with Schiit. All their amps are designed to be "clean".

 

Honestly, if all you care about is "clean" audio, $300 is a waste of money. Go with the basic Schiit Magni+Modi stack, which will get you audio that is plenty clean.

[pvtmatchsticks]

2 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

Not really the case with Schiit. All their amps are designed to be "clean".

 

Honestly, if all you care about is "clean" audio, $300 is a waste of money. Go with the basic Schiit Magni+Modi stack, which will get you audio that is plenty clean.

sorry can you just explain what the schiit Valhalla 2 gives me over the magni and modi and if you think I should upgrade to a dac over onborad?

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, pvtmatchsticks said:

sorry can you just explain what the schiit Valhalla 2 gives me over the magni and modi and if you think I should upgrade to a dac over onborad?

 

Upgrading from on-board is a good idea simply because motherboard audio is so often an unknown value. Rolled-off bass and interference are just a few of the issues that you may have; and a "high-end" motherboard isn't likely to be any better in that regard.

[pvtmatchsticks]

3 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

Upgrading from on-board is a good idea simply because motherboard audio is so often an unknown value. Rolled-off bass and interference are just a few of the issues that you may have; and a "high-end" motherboard isn't likely to be any better in that regard.

Thanks you have given me some more options, time for me to do some research on these.  

[Tech Lover]

4 hours ago, SSL said:

 

No. Poor value compared to Schiit. The AKM 4490 is generally thought to sound better than the Sabre DAC in the ODAC as well.

NO! thats strictly objective choice. i find ODAC much more neutral, and even more spacious in terms of its sound.  

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Tech Lover said:

NO! thats strictly objective choice. i find ODAC much more neutral, and even more spacious in terms of its sound.  

 

I doubt it.

[pvtmatchsticks]

I also want clear cut channel separation

[Guest]

22 minutes ago, pvtmatchsticks said:

I also want clear cut channel separation

 

I mean, that's pretty much a given whatever you buy.

[Tech Lover]

54 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

I doubt it.

reading some of ur previous stuff, i dont have any doubts left in your recommendations 

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Tech Lover said:

reading some of ur previous stuff, i dont have any doubts left in your recommendations 

 

High fives all around then.

[Tech Lover]

1 minute ago, SSL said:

 

High fives all around then.

NO.

[Tech Lover]

7 hours ago, pvtmatchsticks said:

yes I have given this some consideration. What is better O2 or fiio k5

i have heard both K5 and O2 also Magni 2. i simply loved what O2 does to sound. its clearly and noticeable the more neutral and more stereo or wide among all these 3 options here. also with the O2ODAC combo, for its price to performance, i still think there is nothing that can beat it if you are looking specifically at powering almost any and everything with it, neutrality and openeness or wideness or sound stage (what ever u call it). 

i would still, to clear ur doubts, advise you to give a try to all these options if you can. you in Australia so i guess you should find some store near u where u might be able to test these before. 

[xtroria]

I havent seen your comments for a while and wth happened to you @SSL

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, xtroria said:

I havent seen your comments for a while and wth happened to you @SSL

 

 

[Pomfinator]

2 hours ago, xtroria said:

I havent seen your comments for a while and wth happened to you @SSL

Morphing into a greater being obviously.