Best Sounds for $400-$600 budget DAC/AMP

[eXodus]

Looking for recommendations on a $400-600 budget on a DAC/AMP combo or separate (but within the budget total). I'm running the HD6XX headphones, XLR.

Located in ON, Canada. I've been looking at the Monolith 788 for the past few months now and it has great reviews, and finally is back in stock or will be and at the $565 price range (it jumped to $752 for the past few months).

Is there a better suggestion or should I just pull the trigger.

 

[Beershaun]

Check out the dac index on this site and set the budget range and see what pops up

 

[Racheski]

Looking for recommendations on a $400-600 budget on a DAC/AMP combo or separate (but within the budget total). I'm running the HD6XX headphones, XLR.

Located in ON, Canada. I've been looking at the Monolith 788 for the past few months now and it has great reviews, and finally is back in stock or will be and at the $565 price range (it jumped to $752 for the past few months).

Is there a better suggestion or should I just pull the trigger.

Do you plan to use all of the features like Dirac, Analog In, & EQ?

 

[twsecrest]

Topping DX7s DAC/amp.
https://drop.com/buy/topping-dx7s

 

[maxxevv]

Looking for recommendations on a $400-600 budget on a DAC/AMP combo or separate (but within the budget total). I'm running the HD6XX headphones, XLR.

Located in ON, Canada. I've been looking at the Monolith 788 for the past few months now and it has great reviews, and finally is back in stock or will be and at the $565 price range (it jumped to $752 for the past few months).

Is there a better suggestion or should I just pull the trigger.

DX7Pro. It basically has everything you are looking at and more.

 

[eXodus]

Topping DX7s DAC/amp.
https://drop.com/buy/topping-dx7s

DX7Pro. It basically has everything you are looking at and more.

DX7s is in budget, DX7Pro is not ($800+ CAD). Is it worth the difference to upgrade to Pro.

Do you plan to use all of the features like Dirac, Analog In, & EQ?

Yes Dirac and possibly EQ, they are not deal breakers tho.

 

[Deleted member 2110]

Looking for recommendations on a $400-600 budget on a DAC/AMP combo or separate (but within the budget total). I'm running the HD6XX headphones, XLR.

Located in ON, Canada. I've been looking at the Monolith 788 for the past few months now and it has great reviews, and finally is back in stock or will be and at the $565 price range (it jumped to $752 for the past few months).

Is there a better suggestion or should I just pull the trigger.

IMHO, I’d buy the 789 or 887 amp and a Modi 3 DAC. By keeping the amp and DAC separate, you can always try another DAC later if you decide you want/need something different.

 

[twsecrest]

Audio-GD NFB-11.38 DAC/amp
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/N11P/NFB1138PEN.htm
Not a balanced output, but everything else is nice.

 

[maxxevv]

DX7s is in budget, DX7Pro is not ($800+ CAD). Is it worth the difference to upgrade to Pro.



Yes Dirac and possibly EQ, they are not deal breakers tho.

You didn't say you were talking about Canadian currency in your budget.

But you can get the DX7Pro for close to CAN$700 whenever there is a sale. Nope, the DX7S is not nearly as refined as the 7Pro.

 

[eXodus]

You didn't say you were talking about Canadian currency in your budget.

But you can get the DX7Pro for close to CAN$700 whenever there is a sale. Nope, the DX7S is not nearly as refined as the 7Pro.

Yeah I should have been more clear I guess.

So it's down to the DX7 Pro (breaking the budget) vs Monolith THX 78:

- DX7 Pro: $800 CAD
- Monolith THX 788: $565 CAD

I think starting with the 788 is probably the best bang for my budget, I can always upgrade later! This would be my first DAC/AMP too so THX you can't really go wrong from what I understand.

 

[Racheski]

Yeah I should have been more clear I guess.

So it's down to the DX7 Pro (breaking the budget) vs Monolith THX 78:

- DX7 Pro: $800 CAD
- Monolith THX 788: $565 CAD

I think starting with the 788 is probably the best bang for my budget, I can always upgrade later! This would be my first DAC/AMP too so THX you can't really go wrong from what I understand.

Be aware that

• The THX does not have bluetooth, nor a remote.
• The DX7 Pro has a relatively high output impedance for headphones. This will not be a problem for the HD6XX, but may affect the frequency response for lower impedance cans, like an Aeon.

 

[daftcombo]

Topping DX3 Pro v2?

 

[Jimbob54]

Audio-GD NFB-11.38 DAC/amp
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/N11P/NFB1138PEN.htm
Not a balanced output, but everything else is nice.

Possibly not a selection that would be seconded by many here - not the same device but oh boy, they like to make things distort. Or more worryingly, maybe dont know how to make things not distort.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...audio-gd-nfb28-28-dac-and-headphone-amp.5147/

 

[eXodus]

Be aware that

• The THX does not have bluetooth, nor a remote. (Plus ordering in Canada from many retailers for some reason it does not come with the remote).
• The DX7 Pro has a relatively high output impedance for headphones. This will not be a problem for the HD6XX, but may affect the frequency response for lower impedance cans, like an Aeon.

Good points, thank you. BT and a remote aren't an issue in my case right now. This is my first DAC/AMP and mid-range headphones (this is my entry into HiFi!).

Would the difference in output impedance be better sounding for the HX6XX? I'm debating if the extra $235+ is worth it for the DX7 Pro.

Topping DX3 Pro v2?

Thanks but no XLR supported.

 

[daftcombo]

Good points, thank you. BT and a remote aren't an issue in my case right now. This is my first DAC/AMP and mid-range headphones (this is my entry into HiFi!).

Would the difference in output impedance be better sounding for the HX6XX? I'm debating if the extra $235+ is worth it for the DX7 Pro.


Thanks but no XLR supported.

Ah yes, I didn't know there was a XLR version of the HD6xx.
DX7Pro then.

Edit: if canadian $ THX will be great.

 

[Jimbob54]

Good points, thank you. BT and a remote aren't an issue in my case right now. This is my first DAC/AMP and mid-range headphones (this is my entry into HiFi!).

Would the difference in output impedance be better sounding for the HX6XX? I'm debating if the extra $235+ is worth it for the DX7 Pro.


Thanks but no XLR supported.

The output impedance of the dx7pro isn't an issue for the 300 ohm 6xx. Personally I'd get the thx 789 plus a dac over the dx7 Pro regardless of price.

 

[Racheski]

The output impedance of the dx7pro isn't an issue for the 300 ohm 6xx. Personally I'd get the thx 789 plus a dac over the dx7 Pro regardless of price.

The problem with the 789 is that you have to buy used unless you want to wait until the end of October. None left on Amazon. Drop is starting to annoy me lately....

 

[Jimbob54]

The problem with the 789 is that you have to buy used unless you want to wait until the end of October. None left on Amazon. Drop is starting to annoy me lately....

Ah, didn't know they had sold out again. Assumed it was standard stock these days.

 

[maxxevv]

Be aware that

• The THX does not have bluetooth, nor a remote.
• The DX7 Pro has a relatively high output impedance for headphones. This will not be a problem for the HD6XX, but may affect the frequency response for lower impedance cans, like an Aeon.

The Aeon a planar magnetic headphone. As far as things go, the vast majority of planars are not affected by the output impedance of their plugged in sources. The Oppo's were the rare exceptions.

 

[Racheski]

The Aeon a planar magnetic headphone. As far as things go, the vast majority of planars are not affected by the output impedance of their plugged in sources. The Oppo's were the rare exceptions.

Using the Aeon 2 (impedance 13 ohms) with the Topping A50 (9.4 ohms bal) I had weak sub bass and distorted bass response. When I switched to the Atom, and then the A90, those issues went away. Of course this could all be in my head...