I have Focal Azurys and Hifiman Deva Pro, and currently I’m listening to both through a UAD Volt 1. When I was at an audio store, I listened to the same Azurys on a FiiO K17, and the difference compared to my setup at home was huge. The headphones sounded much better overall the bass had noticeably more impact, was tighter, more controlled, and more detailed.
As far as I understand, could this be related to damping factor/output impedance? My audio interface has an output impedance of around 32 ohms, while the Azurys are 26 ohms.
So I’m not really sure which DAC/amp to get for up to ±350dollars. I want something that can really bring out the full potential of the headphones and get the sound at least somewhat close to what I heard from the FiiO K17 and obviously, it should be a clear improvement over my audio interface.
im also completely open to buying used.
What would you recommend, especially considering that I also have the Hifiman Deva Pro?
The Deva pro wired are my current daily driver. The Jcally JMAX20 will power them really well with 2.7v output. If you want traditional home setup, the SMSL RAW-MDA1 I have is terrific, also the Topping DX5 II.
I would not buy any new dac/amp before you have tried to EQ to your Azurys. A new hardware will most likely be like a lottery but give you very little if any improvement, If you read a bit on this site you will see that EQ is the way to go.
I actually tried EQing them to the Harman 2018 target, and the bass became noticeably lower in quantity. I decided to leave the bass alone but corrected the other frequencies. I wouldn’t say the difference was night and day compared to how they sounded before there is a difference, and they sound slightly more tonally balanced, if you can call it that. However, on the K17, the bass itself was inherently more detailed, so I don’t think it’s just a matter of EQ. Plus, the Azurys already have a V-shaped frequency response out of the box, so the sound doesnt change as drastically compared to something like EQing the HiFiMAN Deva Pro.
On top of that, EQing introduces phase distortion, which can degrade the soundstage or imaging, and especially ruin the bass. If you use minimum-phase EQs instead, you lose transient response and impact. Don’t even get me started on graphic equalizers. I highly doubt that the K17 I tried in the store had any EQ applied to it anyway.
By the way, I used parametric EQ settings from oratory1990.
Thanks for the advice! Ill look into those DACs, but is there a significant difference between the Topping DX5 II and the SMSL RAW-MDA1? I’m not an expert on DACs, but maybe the Topping has a better amplifier or something along those lines? Also, what do you think about the Topping DX3Pro+, or would the SMSL be a better choice since they’re roughly in the same price range?
The Volt’s roughly 32-ohm headphone output is a poor electrical match for a 26-ohm headphone, so output impedance can plausibly explain part of the tonal and bass-control difference. But the store comparison also changed level and possibly EQ, so I would not assume the K17 DAC section alone caused everything you heard.
I have used the Fosi K7 and would put it on the audition list for this use: it has a 4.4 mm output, plenty of specified power for the Deva Pro, and a much more conventional headphone-amp stage than the Volt. The important test for the Azurys is quiet-channel tracking at your normal volume and no audible hiss; for the Deva, check clean headroom on musical peaks. Level-match the Volt and the replacement before deciding.
For reference, this is the product page I used: Fosi Audio K7 Balanced DAC & Headphone Amplifier – EMiUZEK . EMIUZEK lists genuine units with manufacturer warranty support and currently shows 5% off a first order with code EMIUZEK5. I would still choose on return policy and a level-matched audition rather than wattage alone.
For Focal Azurys plus something like the Hifiman Deva Pro under about 350 USD, I would prioritize a clean amp/DAC with low enough output impedance that the Azurys stay controlled, rather than chasing exotic DAC flavor. The UAD Volt 1 is more of an interface-first box; fine if you already need USB I/O, but for headphone listening alone a small dedicated amp/DAC usually gives a clearer gain/impedance match. Shortlist peer options in that budget that are known for low Z-out headphone outs, then confirm the Azurys impedance/sensitivity against the amp power rating before buying.
They are quite cheap compared to what I’ve been eyeing. Could something like the Topping DX3Pro+, Topping DX5ii , or even the SMSL M300 SE, which costs more or less the same work? I should reiterate that I don’t know much about DACs compared to headphones. Honestly, I’m not ruling out the possibility that the audio store had an EQ enabled. But as for the volume, I’m absolutely sure they were at the same levels. I have a reference track that I know inside out, and I often listen to it very loudly on my Volt (UAD). On the K17, the volume was definitely at a medium level,litle quieter than on the Volt. That being said, how obvious would the sound improvement be if we assume it actually was just the K17’s EQ? In other words, how much better will a $100–$300 DAC sound compared to my audio interface?