If you’re going to spend $1000 to upgrade, a DAC is probably one of the last components to consider. Especially if you already have a competent one.
Oh gosh man. There's so much variety out there. I would try out some other gear with those excellent headphones you have. But in terms of simply looking at measurements, I doubt anybody can hear the difference between what you mentioned and higher end units in terms of meausurements. Try using some gear with 55 db snr values. Other than perhaps some hiss, you'd be hard pressed to hear much of a difference based on snr.Headphone: sennheiser hd800 and hd800s, beyerdynamic T1 2nd
Headphone AMP: Massdrop THX AAA 789
DAC: Topping D10 and Khadas tone board
Player: PC
Oh gosh man. There's so much variety out there. I would try out some other gear with those excellent headphones you have. But in terms of simply looking at measurements, I doubt anybody can hear the difference between what you mentioned and higher end units in terms of meausurements. Try using some gear with 55 db snr values. Other than perhaps some hiss, you'd be hard pressed to hear much of a difference based on snr.
Now keep in mind I'm a subjectivist who doesn't do dbt testing.
Anyway, the sound I cared for the least was the Oppo 205 though apparently it measured very well. Looking at the measurements, it's hard to argue with how well the Oppo did. But it's also not hard to say that everytime I listen to it, it makes me wish I had something different in there. And I'm lucky I've got at least two other things in my stable to play with which keeps me happy. Right now I'm listening to a early 1990 Denon DCD 660 multibit CD player. Its measurements are guaranteed to be a magnitude behind my more modern Emotiva DC-1 DAC. But guess what I've spent the evening listening to? That's right, this ancient el-cheapo Denon with a tray that barely works because it does something for me soundwise that the DC-1 can't.
So there ya go. I'm not saying some mid 90s cd player is the ticket. Just that, perhaps look around, try some stuff for kicks. The measurements are already quite good on most decent gear out there so I wouldn't concern myself overly.
Oh well fuck sonarworks. Ok for speakers but not for headphones.You might want to try one of Sonarworks products. They have Sonarworks 4 and another product specifically dedicated for headphones. Both offer free demo you can use for a few weeks.
You can use either to create a smooth FR curve for your headphones. I use Sonarworks 4 when I listen to Sennheiser HD700 and enjoy it quite a bit.
The D10 has high IMD that may (I say may) be audible. The Khadas on the other hand should be transparent.
I probabl missed that measurement. Can you kink it, please?
... Can we hear difference between D10 and X26?
If we can't, why should we buy a DAC-X26 with more 10 times price? ...
Beware of browser-based online listening tests. They can be easily screwed up by the OS's resampler and limiter and getting false results.You can have fun here : https://www.audiocheck.net/blindtests_index.php
Woah, that makes no sense as the D30 is much worse.
With the gear you have, a DAC wont change anything. A miniDSP might. Get another pair of headphones instead, makes a ton of difference.Headphone: sennheiser hd800 and hd800s, beyerdynamic T1 2nd
Headphone AMP: Massdrop THX AAA 789
DAC: Topping D10 and Khadas tone board
Player: PC