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Topic: Best DAC/Amp for HD600 (Read 20179 times) previous topic - next topic
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Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Hey guys:

I just signed up for these forums after hearing about the great neutrality you guys have in your reviews as opposed to some other forums on the web (that shall rename nameless.) I was planning on getting a pair of active speakers (Swan H4's) and a pair of Senn's HD 600's. I'm trying to find a good DAC/AMP (can be together or seperate) that will sound good with both that has enough connections for each (the Swans take RCA) and so that when I plug in my headphones it will automatically switch to that input and cut out sound to the speakers.

Now I've been told that the O2 DAC and Amp are the cheapest best amp for pairing with the Senn's because they're pretty neutral but I was wondering what you guys thought. I've been looking at the DacMagic, the Dac-Mini, and the Dac-It (PeaceTree). I have about a $700 budget on Dac/Amp in case you guys wanted to suggest something. I've been learning towards the Dac-Mini because it's right at my price point but has all the inputs and outputs I need and it's supposed to be really good. However, if I can get away by spending almost $400 less I'd like to do that with the O2. So, what do you guys think?

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #1 –
I think the EMU 0404 USB would do the trick, since it has both a headphone out and a line-out, with discrete volume control for both. The DAC is excellent, and while the headphone amplifier isn't on par with the O2 (22Ω output impedance, 20mW max power into headphones), it's appropriate for your 300Ω, 97dB/mW Sennheiser HD600s. It sells for $150 on Amazon. In terms of "sound quality", it doesn't get better than that.

Edit: to connect your speakers to the EMU's line-out, you'll just need a 1/8" stereo jack to RCA cable. You can buy those pretty much anywhere.

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #2 –
EMU is great for high impedance phones.  I use it outside from time to time. EMU Pre Tracker (or 0202,0204,0404) drives Sen HD 650/800 well.
For my taste it's better than fiio e17, less noisy, cleaner.
The output impedance is fairly low 22 ohms which is low comparing to 300 ohm phones (hd 600,650,700,800).

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the suggestions.

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #4 –
The Asus Essence One also looks like it would suit your needs, but it's awfully expensive (and I can't personally vouch for it).

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #5 –
You might want to also consider taking a look at what is available on the pro and semi pro market.

The advantage here is usually the quality of the drivers, ongoing support, reliability and, for reasons that escape me, value.

At the top end of your budget the RME Babyface is peerless.

RME Babyface

There is also a brand new competitor which has been well received and offers even better monitor control facilities.

SPL Crimson.

At the lower budget point their is also a very wide choice but these two units stand out.

Focusrite Scarlet 2i4

NI Audio 6

The headphone output impedance on most of these devices hovers around the 25 - 35 Ohm mark. So they are ideal for cans from 200 Ohms and up but perhaps less so for mobile consumer level gear, particularly IEMs. Unless of course you follow NwAvGuy's advice and use a $25 FiiO E5 or something similar as an impedance matcher and attenuator.

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #7 –
Quote from: lunkhead on
So is EMU part of Creative?


It's their prosumer brand. I can vouch the 0204 USB, which I own and use daily, and the 0404 has the same DAC and ADC, and close enough specs. I was hoping IgorC would pitch in, since he owns similar hardware and headphones, and he did

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #8 –
Just decided to get the O2 + ODAC. Thanks again.

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #9 –
O2+ODAC is a great choice. You can't go wrong with it.


Quote from: Hikaru12 on
Hey guys:

I just signed up for these forums after hearing about the great neutrality you guys have in your reviews as opposed to some other forums on the web (that shall rename nameless.)

head-fi?

While it's clear that there's a lot of placebo still I found head-fi's charts and some reviews are actually quiet reliable.

I'm agree with these lists of top devices.
http://www.head-fi.org/products/category/headphones
http://www.head-fi.org/products/category/sound-cards (ASUS Xonar STX is well known as best in class option)
http://www.head-fi.org/products/category/h...hone-amplifiers

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Hikaru12 on
Just decided to get the O2 + ODAC. Thanks again.


Strange choice, considering your initial criteria. The standalone ODAC unit only has one line-out (stereo mini-jack), which means you'll be plugging and unplugging cables when switching between the O2 headphone amplifier, and your active speakers. The O2/ODAC combo unit only has a headphone out, no line-out. It's excellent gear, though.

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #11 –
Quote from: skamp on
Strange choice, considering your initial criteria. The standalone ODAC unit only has one line-out (stereo mini-jack), which means you'll be plugging and unplugging cables when switching between the O2 headphone amplifier, and your active speakers. The O2/ODAC combo unit only has a headphone out, no line-out. It's excellent gear, though.
It's too bad the desktop version never got to production. I was saving pennies for that... 

Best DAC/Amp for HD600

Reply #12 –
Quote
I found head-fi's charts and some reviews are actually quiet reliable.


They still censor and delete posts that mention the wrong products or personalities though.