Help me choose the right combo ! amp + dac

Equipment / Electronics / Gear / Accessories DACs
1

hi guys !
well, i have the Thieaudio phantom for over a year now and i love them, but it’s time to upgrade my smsl m3 xD .
i have been thinking about these 2 options -

400 $ (470$ with shipping) - Schiit magnius + modius
270$ = Topping L30 + E30

i want something clean. detailed, good separation but not too sterile.
listening to metal/rock and all of their acoustic version (Imminence , Landon Tewers , MIW, FIR and so on… )
also may buy the focal elex in the near future.
it seems like i can’t go wrong with either but i’d like to have your opinion, thanks a lot !
if anyone has other dacs and amps to recommend i would love to hear, budget - 500$ total.

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The Schiit combo is pretty good but I personally think you’ll get more out of the Topping combo. I would go Topping as my vote. Unless your getting harder to drive cans then what you already have. Then I would go Schiit for balanced.

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What about an Asgard 3? From what I’ve seen on this forum, I’ve seen that recommended a lot. People talk about pairing, so I’m not sure how an Asgard/Phantom combo would work.

I’m due for an amp upgrade, and that is what I am currently considering. So some of what you have mention strikes a chord with me. I’m planning to use my current combo amp/dac as the DAC but I’ll figure out if I can to get a card with the Asgard or save it for a more proper DAC, down the road.

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4

Yup that’s what I would suggest not having heard the other nominees.

OP mentioned not wanting sterile so maybe avoid or get further opinions on the magnius. The topping stuff looks to be a solid option though.

Asgard 3 with either dac listed above would probably be pretty sweet. Internal multibit dac is really nice too.

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5

I’m just gonna throw the geshelli stack intothe mix great clean sounding without being too sterile

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Topping combo is exactly what you described; Clean, detailed, good separation, and not too sterile.

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Thank you guys ! think ill go with the topping. Also in terms of price topping combo is about 200$ cheaper then then the Schiit combo, hope for a good deal next month :slight_smile:

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