TechEnthusiast
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- Joined
- Oct 19, 2020
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Looking for a Headphone Amp and Dac for a desktop that will be used for listening sessions while working and for pure entertainment. I had a Zen Can that burned up and still have a Topping L30 (that was heading back to Amazon) for the time being. I like the Topping but it pales in comparison to the Zen Can. I am using the Soundblaster Z card on my PC as a DAC. I experimented with a BTR5 as a DAC but it really sounds no different to me. Looking to spend less than $500 for set-up.
Not restricted to separates/stacks I can do a combo. I did like the look and footprint of the SMSL M500 as an example. Did not like the Zen Can look for stacking, not bad by itself though. I could see stacking a DAC on the Topping and that would work. That's pretty much it for looks but I do think that something like an Emotiva would be too big though.
I don't know if the sub 2-300 would suffice or if there is a a substantial gain stepping up a little. I do realize at some point there will be diminishing returns on amount invested for that tiny difference. I did spend some time listening to Hans B today and that got me rethinking some of my strategies, so I figure you guys here at ASR could help advise. I just want a nice jump from my current set-up into the next level if there is one within my parameters. Will something like that SMSL do that or is it a fantasy? Current headphones are primarily the Hifiman Sundara's. I would like to have minimal, if any, restrictions on headphones for the future.
Not restricted to separates/stacks I can do a combo. I did like the look and footprint of the SMSL M500 as an example. Did not like the Zen Can look for stacking, not bad by itself though. I could see stacking a DAC on the Topping and that would work. That's pretty much it for looks but I do think that something like an Emotiva would be too big though.
I don't know if the sub 2-300 would suffice or if there is a a substantial gain stepping up a little. I do realize at some point there will be diminishing returns on amount invested for that tiny difference. I did spend some time listening to Hans B today and that got me rethinking some of my strategies, so I figure you guys here at ASR could help advise. I just want a nice jump from my current set-up into the next level if there is one within my parameters. Will something like that SMSL do that or is it a fantasy? Current headphones are primarily the Hifiman Sundara's. I would like to have minimal, if any, restrictions on headphones for the future.
