So after watching Z Reviews for a bit I upgraded my audio setup for the first time in a few years. I started with a Schiit Stack (2 Uber for both units) paired with AKG 7xx and Kanto YU2 for speakers. Recently I have acquired a pair of Sennheiser HD 58X and a JDS Labs El Amp 2. So far I’m really enjoying both; never realized how “flat” my 7xx’s sounded in comparison to the 58x.
So, my question is should I upgrade my Modi 2U DAC or keep it? With an untrained ear am I going to notice much of a difference? I mostly use my headphones for gaming and either Spotify or FLAC for music listening (no particular genre preference).
a more modern DAC will likely improve your sound, but it’s not going to remake the 7xx. while I’ve never heard the Schiit Modi DAC, they are known to have compressed sound. what about pairing your El Amp 2 with it’s El DAC 2 it’s meant to be paired with?
Ah see that’s what I was wondering. I’ve never seen a DAC review so I’m not familiar how you tell the difference between DACs “sound”. I was definitely considering the EL DAC when I was ordering the amp but I didn’t know for sure if I needed to.
Gotcha, I appreciate the insight! But, based on your experience do you think the EL DAC is going to sound best with the matching amp or is there something else you would recommend ?
well…u can definitely go with other options. what genres of music do you listen to and what headphones do you have? and, how much are you open to spending?
So currently I’m using Sennheiser HD58x as daily drivers along with Kanto YU2 as desktop speakers. For music my genres are all over the place, top ones being : Underground/Hardocre Hip Hop (Kendrick, Danny Brown, RTJ etc) Garage (Ty Segall, Jay Reatard, King Tuff), Dark Synth (Gost, Perturbator), Indie (Mac Demarco, Courtney Barnett, Alvvays) and Chill/Synth/Vaporwave (Neon Indian, Washed Out, Com Truise, Toro y Moi). With regards to price I think $300-350 is the max I want to spend .
Also new to audio stuff. Currently have Sundara’s and an SMSL SH-9 is on the way.
Looking at pairing it with an SU-8 or SU-9. Think I’ll hear a difference?
Personally, I am a huge advocate on the importance of electronics and chain. That being said, I think you are fine where you are at right now.
If you are thinking about upgrading, I think you should aim for the $650-750 range. You will notice a significant upgrade and there are many good choices there. Before you do so, I would reflect if you enjoy this hobby enough to have the desire to upgrade more in the future. Once you have either 2-3 midrange headphones or one that you really love and want to improve upon, jump for the DAC. As a comparison point, when I got my Bifrost 2, I was using ZMF Auteur, Nighthawks, and HD600s at the time.
If you still enjoy Schiit products, I’d aim for the Bifrost 2. Otherwise, Denafrips Ares II DAC gets a lot of love too.
So I decided to go with the JDS Labs EL DAC. From what I could find in reviews of the other DACs I was looking at (Schiit Modius, Aune X8, and Topping D50/E30) is that there may be some that measure/tested better than the EL DAC, but they don’t pair as well with the EL Amp. At least that’s what I could find when searching around, hopefully I made the right choice ¯_(ツ)_/¯
The 2. I got weirdly lucky with it; JDS emailed me saying they only had B Stock models and the rep sent me a picture of it and it looked super clean. Saved $50 and it still has the same warranty.
GAMING? “I-N-C-O-M-I-N-G…Boom, Boom, Boom.” Excuse Me. You don’t like the sound of your hand grenades because… The MIDRANGE is a little off…I may be full of Schiit, but you need to KEEP yer Schiit and turn yer volume down!!!
I guess today is the day I slap yer hands and take away yer Debit Card…If you are seeking to bypass the DAC on yer CD player via its DIGITAL OUT—the answer to that also is NO!!!
Take me for example: I have a 24 year old ACURUS ACD11 that was designed by Snyder of KRELL and is my ‘Bret Farbe’ of CD players that will eat $3,000 CD Transports FOR BREAKFAST. On the other hand, its 1Bit DAC was starting to show its age. So what I did was Hook up an SMSL Sanskirt 6th Anno with separate Linear P/S (See Z-Review ‘Panda Stack’ & his review for the SMSL Sanskirt 6 Anno which made me buy the DAC) and there is now new life in the Old Dog tonight.
CAVIATES: Since I am only using my DAC to improve my CD player via its Digital Output Cable, YOU DO REALIZE the best quality I can achieve on PCM is 24bit/196kHz which means my ancient 2011 Wolfson DAC is fine. I have no intention of Streaming or running DCD 512K so I don’t need to upgrade to that spec. Yes, I could blow $5K on a new DAC to do what? Play 24bit/196 PCM on a 24 year old CD player?
ADVICE: At this point, if you want to improve the sound of your system, buy some 21 year old Scotch else go down to yer local Dispensary and pick up some Volkswagen ‘Diesel’ (God, I love my puns…) DON"T MESS WITH SUCCESS because SHIIT ‘know their SHIIT’ (ha, ha, ha).
AudioPhilia is a Mental Disease where the patient deludes himself into thinking that buying newer, more expensive audio equipment will achieve AutoEroticism (note pun).
I’m sorry, but HELL NO!!! Your Shiit don’t stink…On the other hand, your listening choices do. Boom Boom RAP or Boom Boom Gaming or Mellow Yellow Chill/Synth? Keep the MODI (The DAC, not the Indian PM).
Me? My bag is POST Punk-Pre Grunge (1978-1994) or from Joy Division to Nirvana. Because I crave JanglePop, Paisley Underground, Goth, New Romantic, Pseudo Sixties, Pseudo Psychedelic, 80s College Radio, ShoeGazing or WorldBeat (Sa-Ding Ding Chinese Rock is Tre happening) I need the MIDs to be right. My Office Rig is Acurus A150, Acurus RL11 Pre, Acurus ACD11 CD and I am a TABLEIST (Systemdek Iix Linn Basik + Denon DL160 through a Biamped NHT 1.3As/Energy EPS 150 Sub). When I ROCK OUT at 1630hrs (430PM), I can make all the Car Alarms go off in the Parking lot…When the cops come to tell me to turn it down, I reluctantly reach for my STAX Lambas…Come next year, I’m going to get my DREAM SYSTEM and Shake the PLANET!!!
I’d prefer if we keep whatever these posts would be considered to a minimum, and provide actual advice or commentary, not word salad that doesn’t offer any help or insight. Honestly this just reads like a copypasta lol
