Looking for recommendations for a DAC/AMP stack or combo unit. Some background, I’m more familiar with the world of headphones but want to have a sound system for when have guests over and we want to listen to music.
Some notes:
My budget is about $300, but flexible, also I want to use it for some fairly easy to drive headphones. I currently dont own a single pair above 32 Ohms but I want some room to use something with more impedance. They will also be running RCA into a set of Kanto Oras.
It will be hooking up to my PC do game, but prefer to use my headphones for immersion prefer warmer or a more V shaped sound, but usually just do that in EQ software anyway so it’s not the most important thing on this list.
Headphones I currently own and my mucic preferences are only my profile page if you need that for reference.
Something’s I’ve been looking at have been the Schiit Magni Unity, Atoms 2 Stack, SMSL C200, Zen Dac Signature. Let me know if there might be something else l’m overlooking or suggestions. Also maybe experience with one or more of these, what they sound like, issues, headphones you drive with any of these, etc.
I am also not opposed to buying used/open box/refurbished, so long as you can point me in a direction! Thanks!
I’m going to throw out a curve ball here. Schiit Modi and Vali3. Add in a GE5670 NOS tube for about $25 or a WE396A for closer to $60. This amp drives everything, even my HE6SEV2 and you can roll tubes. I’m using it in preference to some more expensive amps. The thread on Head-Fi has some other recommendations for tubes… But beware, it can get expensive going down the tube rabbit hole. The GE is great for most people.
I’ve heard great things about this stack, I’m between the Shiit Magni Unity and that right now. It provides the most power, so plenty of overhead and room to play with higher impedance headphones. Also has a relatively small footprint and great UI too!
What’s your experience with this setup if you have any?
I’m unfamiliar with tube amps, what are the benefits of it and how does the change in tube change the sound signature? How does it compare to the Magni if you know?
None, sorry. I bought an Atom+ DAC/amp stack about three years ago used and never have seen the need for an upgrade.
That JDS stack has powered everything I’ve thrown at it with aplomb. Plenty of overhead, zippo distortion and no coloring of the sound.
Don’t fall prey to the Chi-fi Watt Wars. Topping, SMSL and the like love to trumpet how their new products crank out 4, 5, 6 watts per channel at 32 ohms. That’s a ridiculous and unnecessary amount of power for headphones, and I seriously doubt how well they’re controlling THD.
Around 1-1.5 WPC at 32 ohm will power damn near any headphone on the market. JDS knows this and concentrates on clean, uncolored sound with no-BS design and engineering within that watt range.
Tubes being analog is fair. Hybrid are a combination tho, so depending on how they are designed can make a difference on the impedance. OTL and tube amps with transformers will often have higher impedance, hybrid like Vali 3 get you the analog flavor with the ability to drive more headphones. I would say tubes add flavor, some are warmer than others.
The info is greatly appreciated, learning a lot, doing my own research on the side and taking plenty of notes! I’m looking more into tube amps, sounds like a rabbit hole in and of itself. But a rabbit hole inside of a rabbit hole, not unexpeted by any means in the audiophile space, haha! I already like a warmer sound so this is right up my alley.
I see that Schiit advertises the product as a headphone amp, is that any cause for concern when hooking them up to speakers?