Hello y’all! I just recently bought a used pair of Emu Teaks for my first audiophile headphones, and am looking to source a DAC and amp for it. My budget is under 400, and I was looking at a used Modius and Magnius combo that would run me for 340, plus the cost for a XCR cable.
I wasn’t thinking too much about balanced and imbalanced, but I was thinking the schittius stack would deter signal degradation if I wanted a longer cable, and it would push more power to the Emus, which I heard was easy to drive but could use a lot of power.
I am also interested in mobile Bluetooth amp/dac combos, and was wondering if their lower signal quality in comparison to a desk amp/dac would be somewhat inconsequential given my headphones choice and price range.
Oh! And my to-go headphones are a pair of Sony 1000-xm3s, so I might run them with the mobile dac/amp if I go that route.
Thanks y’all!
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I wouldn’t worry too much about signal degradation and imo you don’t really need balanced connection, especially when power isn’t an issue (and Teak doesn’t require much power ime)
For 400USD I’m gonna go with the standard recommendations such as Asgard 3 + Modius if you want a slightly warmer smooth sound. Ime the Teak isn’t too picky and it can sound good pretty much off anything. It might have a hot treble depending on how sensitive you’re to sibilance so I probably wouldn’t consider the Magnius or other similarly designed amps. If u want a clean and analytical amp u can consider the JDS Element line as it has a sweet treble roll off that may tame the harshness a bit.
Not familiar with portable units but I’m sure someone else would know better than I do
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Gotcha! What do you think about a magni heresy with modi 3 pairing then?
Actually given their reputed ease of drive, I might just purchase a portable amp/dac like the Hidizs S9. It seems to be highly regarded over at Audio Tech Reviews.
Heresy would be similar to Magnius, brighter and sharper. I feel if you have the budget do go for sth at 200USD level but the entry stuff isn’t bad either (tho has its sonic flaws)
I don’t have a mobile option I’m sure someone could give some good recs on that
I agree with @mochimashu Asgard will be great seeing as the EMU is so sensitive you’ll be running in class A most of the time. That combo with one of their dacs would be terrific.
If you wanted an all in 1 Dac and Amp that works well with the EMU the Xduoo TA-10R or TA-20 [Note the TA-10r is single ended and the TA-20 is balanced even though the TA 10 has an XLR its just single ended.]
If you want that tube sound with low impedance headphones hybrids are the go to for that warm tuby sound.
Stock tubes are great, definitely recommend a nice tube swap in future for the E80CC tubes. Very warm and smooth coloured sound, the EMU’s treble can tread slightly over that bright line and this really helps smooth it out. Flexibility is great on either one. Its a compact unit too so should save you desk space
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