DAC or AMP

[Yakusoku]

Just got a AKG K7XX and noticed that I got muddy and very low vocal sound when plugged into my Desktop (Onto the Case i/o)

 

Strangely enough, when I plug these cans into the motherboard it sounds waay better. Its weird, isnt the i/o of the case plugged into the motherboard? Its just like a USB pass through, so why is it sound different?

 

With that said I'm told my friend I need an AMP. So I'd like to do more research before buying one.

 

Notes:

 

Motherboard: Asus Maximus VII Hero

Case: 450D

Headphone: AKG K7XX

 

Looking for the appropriate DAC/AMP to make use of the headphones properly

 

Preferred: Portable and the cheaper the better (As long as quality is assured)

 

PS: Canadian here

 

Thanks!

[kasugatei]

Schiit Fulla 2. It is portable, great sounding, powerful and cheap ($99)

[A6aKaH_Anastasiya]

I'd recommend you the Fiio E10K (which isn't portable) and the Fiio Q1 (which is portable), both are combounits -> DAC+AMP. I had both, the E10K delivers more power. The Q1 is portable but audio output via USB is a pain in the ass, especially on android, I tried many cables and even dedicated apps(!) to make it run... very limited. The certain way it will work is if you just use the headphone jack on your device but this will bypass the DAC and just amplify the device's sound output. For a bit more, I think the E17K Alpen 2 has a better USB audio support on android (supported officially). I was reading alot but I would just try and see because the model and os-version do make a difference. TL;DR Get a DAC/AMP for a budget, get a seperate DAC and AMP each if you have money to spend on it.

[Yakusoku]

I've been recommended this

 

Any thoughts?

[Dackzy]

4 hours ago, Yakusoku said:

I've been recommended this

 

Any thoughts?

Sucks ass. Also stay far away from anything from creative,  Smsl and fiio none of them makes anything that is worth its price. If you are on a low budget get a fulla 2, but please list your budget. 

[monjanger]

Go for the fulla 2, not a fan of the e10k. 

[SSL]

It's amp, not "AMP". Short for "amplifier". Good to know exactly what you're buying.

 

Echoing the above, e10k is poop, fulla 2 is the go-to.

[Dysanix]

If your budget allows it you could also go for the NuPrime uDSD DAC ($179).

Personally it's the best DAC I have ever tried (also value-wise) and it's fully portable.

I love it.

[KaminKevCrew]

9 hours ago, Dysanix said:

If your budget allows it you could also go for the NuPrime uDSD DAC ($179).

Personally it's the best DAC I have ever tried (also value-wise) and it's fully portable.

I love it.

What makes it the best DAC you've ever tried? 

 

A lot of DACs are fully portable. You don't need a whole lot of hardware to make a good delta-sigma DAC.

[spwath]

1 hour ago, KaminKevCrew said:

What makes it the best DAC you've ever tried? 

 

A lot of DACs are fully portable. You don't need a whole lot of hardware to make a good delta-sigma DAC.

Even NOS dacs can be portable, like my SPS DAC 3.

Don't know why I need it to be portable, as its just a dac, no amp, but it has a battery, so it can be.