The DX3 pro is very good. Check out this review. It tries to be more objective than subjective. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-dx3pro-dac-and-headphone-amp.4967/
it’s the op amps that change sound the most if i’m correct i was playing with them with my X7 (and before that, my STX II)
If you think amps sound different, research the Richard Clark amp challenge. It could save you a lot of money in the long run.
If not, you will have a lot of pretty desk ornaments in the future.
Kind of a win-win if you have the money.
i know that i had a creative audigy, STX, STX II, X7, and all sounded different, and within each, changing op amps also changed completely how they sounded. and with my bluetooth in ear headphones sound coming from an old iphone and my samsung S10+ is also different
my favorite sound so far was with STX II and muses 8920 + 8820
So, do you think all solid state amps sound the same? Or is your statement just covering the few amps mentioned? I am not sure as you seem to enjoy blanket statements.
So, I doubt all solid state amps sound the same. I have an RNHP (I believe this is solid state), and THX789(also probably solid state) on my desk in front of me right now. On the Neve the highs are clearly rolled off.
Maybe I’m wrong… but I think blanket statements like that are problematic.
When it comes to DACs, I have yet to hear a ladder DAC, but I would say all the DACs I’ve used lately sound more or less the same to me unless there are problems. But it could just be that I can’t hear or don’t know where the differences are.
I guarantee all solid state amps don’t sound the same. I am currently running comparisons between several amps including different solid state models. Depending on the headphones used, the sound signatures vary wildly.
there is so many variable with the usb chip, dac chip, op amps, headphones, how they reacts with each other etc… it’s impossible all sound the same
They absolutely do not sound the same. Even to think remotely objectively, how would all of these companies remain in business? Why do sites have the need to have reviews or top 5 lists? We’d all just buy the cheapest/value amp and call it a day. This would be the most coordinated conspiracy just to sell amps and dacs.
While I agree, at the bottom end of the DAC market things sound more the same that they do different.
Even the difference between AK chips and ESS chips which to my ear are distinct you have to listen pretty closely, and with an average rest of the chain, it’s easily missed.
The IFI Burr Brown DAC’s I’ve heard though are unmistakably warmer then the alternatives.
To my mind in DAC’s if I were going through this again, I buy something not terrible in the <$200 range, then worry about upgrading when buying a Bifrost 2 or Soekris made sense.
And upgrading your DAC doesn’t make sense until your spending ~$1000 on headphones, and ~$500 on amplification.
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SMSL VMV Audio VA2 or topping A50? what do you think, i don’t have much choice here
If all three of these factors are met, than yes, all SS amps sound the same.
- Amp can drive headphones without clipping
- There is no distortion inserted into the design of the amp
- Output impedance matches the headphone
Do a proper DBT. I often hear people say these statements are “problematic” but have never done a DBT or looked into the objective research.
People just regurgitate what subjective reviewers with a financial conflict of interest say.
Do a DBT and do some research. The founder of Schiit even admitted he couldn’t tell the difference between his solid state amps. Sorry to break it to you, but yes, there is A LOT of snake oil shady shit in this hobby when it comes to DACs and amps.
Google “Richard Clark amp challenge”
No. I have multiple SS amps and that is not true. I am currently doing testing among some amps and the sound differences are quite noticable, depending on the headphones.
Believe what you want. Spend your money how you want. But until you actually do a DBT, this is just willful ignorance on your end.
My money has been spent. I own a wide selection of amps and have no axe to grind. And I am not trying to pretend I am some kind of all knowing expert. I am speaking facts from my current experience. I do not own four Topping amps or four Schiit amps. I own different amps from different manufacturers and there is a LOT of difference depending on the headphones used. But if you want to stay ignorant, feel free.
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Is there difference if you use the same headphones on those different amps?
Yes, but depends on the headphone. Fostex sounded similar, but on certain songs, one amp pulled ahead maginally.
With the Sundara’s the difference was much more stark.
In this test I was comparing the SMSL SP200 against the Violectric HPA V220.
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Nope. You will hear no difference.