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Budget Headphone Amp +DAC ~100$

andrewb

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Hi, I'm looking for a budget friendly ~100$ amp and DAC for my headhphones. I have some aiff music and it sounds distorted and all over the place. I have the HyperX Cloud I, but I'll upgrade them in the future. I can also provide specs in needed. Thank you !
 
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VMAT4

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Your Budget is between how many $$$ and how many $$$?
 
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andrewb

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That was really useful. I found the Q1MK2 and the E10k at really reasonable prices in my country. Which one is the better one ? (considering that one day I'll also upgrade my headphones. Basically I'm looking for the most "future proof" amp.)
 

Cahudson42

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Take a look at these, they are all around $100
+1 All great recommendations by @Count Arthur

$100 today buys you any one of those excellent amps - leaving $$ to put toward where it really makes a difference - your Headphones.
Suggest do some research before buy. A decision point will be closed (like your HyperX appears to be?) And Planar magnetic, or conventional voice coil. A good place to browse is @solderdude site: https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/

I have the Liquid Spark and am quite happy with it with my HE400i phones. Good build quality, plenty of power. Doesn't measure as well as some others, and not a lot of Love around here for it, but IMO underrated.

Have fun!
 
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andrewb

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+1 All great recommendations by @Count Arthur

$100 today buys you any one of those excellent amps - leaving $$ to put toward where it really makes a difference - your Headphones.
Suggest do some research before buy. A decision point will be closed (like your HyperX appears to be?) And Planar magnetic, or conventional voice coil. A good place to browse is @solderdude site: https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/

I have the Liquid Spark and am quite happy with it with my HE400i phones. Good build quality, plenty of power. Doesn't measure as well as some others, and not a lot of Love around here for it, but IMO underrated.

Have fun!
Thank you but currently, as I said I have my mind on the Q1 MK2 or E10K. When the time comes I'll upgrade my headphones. Taking baby steps.
 

Count Arthur

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I just realised, none of the amps I suggested have a DAC, also, do you need this for portable use?
 
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andrewb

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do you need this for portable use?
Not necessarily, but it would be nice. I've decided on the Q1. But if there is anything better I am all ears. As for the headphones probably ATHm40 or ATHm60, or the MDR-7506 or even hd25. I know they aren't pretty good headphone and are considered monitors but they are comfortable.
 
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Count Arthur

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There's always something better - and more expensive. :)

I don't know anything about m40 or m60, I'm not even sure what brand they are, and I don't have any personal experience with the MDR-7506 or HD25, but the fact that they've both been around largely unchanged for several decades, is probably a good sign.
 
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