Combo Recommendations

Headphones Headphone Discussion / Help
1

Looking for recommendations on a DAC and Amp.

I have powered speakers, with balanced inputs, and listen via these 75% of the time. I’d also like to use headphones when required.

With the above in mind, I need;

  • An amp that has balanced pre-outs.
  • A decent DAC that I’ll not need to upgrade for some time :slight_smile:
  • Preferably a built in PSU - that can take 110 - 240. I’ll be taking these from the US to NZ in the future.

Budget is the cheapest I can without sacrificing any obvious quality of sound.

I’ve been looking at the SMSL SU-9 and HO200 - these don’t stack well tho, and is getting pretty expensive overall.

I’ve also looked at the Topping EX5 and SMSL M500Mkii as combo alternative.

Wondering if there are other options I should also be looking at that I’ve missed?

2

I would get the EX5 in your case. I’m using a Topping A30 Pro for my headphones and connect the pass-through (its has TRS balanced and RCA pass-throughs) to my speaker amp.
But if you use active speakers you would need some kind of volume control for this setup… so just get the EX5 which has everything build in.

3

Yep. Originally this was my plan. I then veered off course with thoughts of upgrading speakers and adding a sub in the future - so started looking at stacks in order to help keep my options open for the future.

4

iFi Zen DAC v2. the combo unit. has RCA out and 4.4mm Pentacon, which us balanced.

5

But then he would need an extra adapter and the Zen Dac doesn’t have much power and doesn’t measure particulary well

6

measurements are not the full story. iFi is well loved and known for excellent sound. and since he needs pre-out, power is not an issue it is also USB powered, so no worries about the different power specs wherever they are.

7

I looked at the IfI option - but wasn’t so keen on having to use an adapter to split the single balanced out to dual TRS or XLR’s.

Also - I’m not adverse to spending $$'s if I have to. The SU-9 / HO200 is still an option - I can split that cost over a couple of pay periods ;). I just wasn’t sure if there were other options I’d missed.

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8

You could also get the Topping D30 Pro or E50 as your DAC. The E50 doesn’t have a volume knob though, so you would need to adjust volume with the remote or get a passive XLR preamp (which are not that expensive)

9

what would you say your maximum budget is? that will help sus out what would do you best for your monies. also, are you open to used? that will either save you money or give you access to something much better than what your budget would allow for new.

10

Yeah - I’d say around $600, ± $50 or so. Open to used - but looking to buy earlier rather than later.

Was looking at the FiiO K9 Pro reviews this morning, that seems interesting.

11

https://forum.hifiguides.com/t/buy-sell-and-looking-for-thread/6305/2923

If you can stretch a budget just a wee, it looks like there’s a great setup currently available on the buy/ sell thread. I’ve never heard any of this gear firsthand, but I’ve heard plenty of great things about the amp this user is selling, and the user himself has enough of a reputation that I would trust him to pair it with appropriate partner pieces.

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12

Hey, if you are interested send me a PM. I might be able to “fine tune” this chain to match what you are interested in. And I can probably make it work with your budget.

I’ve got a few more things in the closet looking for a home, and I would love to see it used by someone.

13

Looks like a great setup! I’m looking for balanced out tho, so I need a setup that compliments the fact I’m 75% speakers. Looks like I wouldn’t be able to accomplish that goal with this stack.

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14

Yup, this stack is focused on single ended. And no pre-out. So definitely not what you are looking for :rofl:

Part of the challenge is covering 115 and 230. If only one voltage, I would recommend trying a Schiit Jotenheim 2 w/ DAC card. New this is $500, used $400-$450. And then you have a solid all in one.

Maybe a few components to consider in your general price range:

Singxer SA-1 amp (supports both voltages, nice desktop unit for headphones and monitors)

Geshelli J2 DAC
Geshelli Erish amp

Soncoz QXD1 DAC
Soncoz QXA1 Amp

Schiit Modius DAC
Schiit Magnus amp

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15

You definitely pay more to go balanced. If you can run your monitors single ended then you’ll free up some $$$

16

If you can 4x your budget this DAC/amp combo just came out:

:rofl: j/k! no reason to jump in at this level! Just a fun new device that came out

17

Yep, I was looking at either the Jotenheim 2 w/DAC or going Jotenheim 2 with modius. I actually emailed Schiit and they’d do a voltage swap for $50 - but from NZ that’d also include shipping so isn’t really viable.

Thanks for the other suggestions, I’ll take a look at’em.

The Ferrum ERCO does look pretty fancy… :wink:

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18

An idea: you could buy/sell the Jot2 when you move. They really hold their value in the second hand market.

19

rather than the Magnius, the Asgard 3 and a Lyr (Is it a gen 2 or 3 now?) and a Lokius! :wink:

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20

not all at once… but eventuallly.

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