Can I use a dac amp for recording audio or do O need an audio interface?

[WickdSeek]

Hi, not sure if this was already asked before..i tried looking but couldnt see a thread to what im asking..or im just blind...anyways..me and my friend just decided to create videos for youtube...currently im using my headphone mic for recording and its servicable...
I was thinking of getting a fifine am8 or k688 mic..cause the quality of my voice recording would be better..its a cheap mic considering whats out there but its enough for my current needs..both can be usb and xlr and im leaning more on using xlr mainly because...I also want to change my headphones..I honestly want to get the aune ar5000..so I would need a dac amp(all in one unit preferably). I tried and check if there is a dac amp thats within the 200-300 mark that can go well with the ar5000 but at the same tim I can use with the mic I plan to get that ill use for both recording and playing..but as far as I can see there is no such good thing..its either dac amp or audio interface or get amp and then audio interface...and it seems like I cant just go with the audio interface cause their amp capabilities are not that good compared ro dedicated dac amp hardware(?) any suggestions?

 

[staticV3]

Hi @WickdSeek! Welcome to ASR.

any suggestions?

Topping make audio interfaces with fantastic amp capabilities: https://topping.pro/

The E2X2 has been tested and measured twice:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/topping-e2x2-audio-interface-review.49127/
https://youtu.be/CHJGwVBGPXE

Topping's internals are mostly shared between interface models, so what you see in these tests is also indicative of other models.

 

[WickdSeek]

I know of topping but are their audio interface good to go with an ar5000? Also which one there are so many

 

[WickdSeek]

Oh sorry the rest of the post just loaded will check that out..thanks..any other possible options?

 

[staticV3]

I know of topping but are their audio interface good to go with an ar5000?

At 27Ω (AR5000 impedance), Topping's interfaces can output about 520mW per channel.

Pushing that amount of wattage into the Aune would completely wreck the AR5000 and your hearing.

Also which one there are so many

The one which matches your requirements

 

[Verig]

K688 seems ok. I record most things with a $50 AKG, mics are not very complicated.

AR5000 seems pretty sensitive and not a horrible load so most even half decent amps should be fine. Wouldn't worry.

 

[WickdSeek]

Do you just plug your akg mic to a dac amp? Xlr to jack or usb? What do you use for recording?

 

[WickdSeek]

At 27Ω (AR5000 impedance), Topping's interfaces can output about 520mW per channel.

Pushing that amount of wattage into the Aune would completely wreck the AR5000 and your hearing.


The one which matches your requirements

Im in the Philippines so my options can be limited...and lots of fake ones online here as well...but will try to look for an e2x2...any other possible suggestions?

 

[Verig]

Do you just plug your akg mic to a dac amp? Xlr to jack or usb? What do you use for recording?

The AKG is just a standard studio mic so xlr.
I was commenting more from the quality perspective, expensive mics won't make your recordings any better. Everything else comes first.

My audio interface is an Universal Audio ADC/DAC/Preamp/Headphone amp like many of them are. Topping e2x2 looks very similar and should work the same.

 

[WickdSeek]

The AKG is just a standard studio mic so xlr.
I was commenting more from the quality perspective, expensive mics won't make your recordings any better. Everything else comes first.

My audio interface is an Universal Audio ADC/DAC/Preamp/Headphone amp like many of them are. Topping e2x2 looks very similar and should work the same.

Oh yeah I have no issues with the fifine k688 it was my main option besides the am8..my concern is what to use it with e2x2 is the current main option as suggested by Static but would like some other options just in case its overly expensive where I am or not available..I live in the Philippines. I checked online but the online stores look questionable.

 

[Verig]

Pause the Topping review video and zoom into the chart. You'll see many good names there. Those on blue and green are absolutely fine. Availability should be good, those are very common known brands.

Just check reviews that the headphone output is good. Most have decent, some even great but check before ordering. You can always buy an external amp if needed but of course it would be nice to have it all in one piece.

 

[Count Arthur]

The Aune ar5000 looks like it's very easy to drive: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/aune-ar5000-headphone-review.50596/, so you won't need a particularly powerful amp. It will likely be fine with a dongle, or connected directly to the headphone output on some USB microphones.

Here's a review of the Fifine AM8:

He tests and compares a lot of microphones, so maybe take a look at some of his other videos: https://www.youtube.com/@Podcastage

If you go with an XLR microphone, you will want an Audio Interface. Other than any specific features you might want, one thing to bear in mind is that Aune ar5000 has a low impedance, so you'll want an interface with a headphone socket that has a low output impedance, < 1ohm. A high output impedance, may alter the frequency response of the headphones.

Julian Krause has a lot of reviews of interfaces where he tests things such as headphone output impedance:

Julian Krause

Hey, I'm Julian Krause and on this channel you can find in-depth audio equipment reviews and tutorials.

www.youtube.com

 

[WickdSeek]

Pause the Topping review video and zoom into the chart. You'll see many good names there. Those on blue and green are absolutely fine. Availability should be good, those are very common known brands.

Just check reviews that the headphone output is good. Most have decent, some even great but check before ordering. You can always buy an external amp if needed but of course it would be nice to have it all in one piece.

Yep, thanks

 

[WickdSeek]

The Aune ar5000 looks like it's very easy to drive: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/aune-ar5000-headphone-review.50596/, so you won't need a particularly powerful amp. It will likely be fine with a dongle, or connected directly to the headphone output on some USB microphones.

Here's a review of the Fifine AM8:

He tests and compares a lot of microphones, so maybe take a look at some of his other videos: https://www.youtube.com/@Podcastage

If you go with an XLR microphone, you will want an Audio Interface. Other than any specific features you might want, one thing to bear in mind is that Aune ar5000 has a low impedance, so you'll want an interface with a headphone socket that has a low output impedance, < 1ohm. A high output impedance, may alter the frequency response of the headphones.

Julian Krause has a lot of reviews of interfaces where he tests things such as headphone output impedance:

Julian Krause

Hey, I'm Julian Krause and on this channel you can find in-depth audio equipment reviews and tutorials.

www.youtube.com

Yes i have been watching some of his videos

 

[WickdSeek]

Thank you all for your recommendations, feedback, and suggestions...if you ever think up of audio interface thats between 200-300 thats decent to great as an amp please post it here..would greatly appreciate all possible options

 

[staticV3]

if you ever think up of audio interface thats between 200-300 thats decent to great as an amp please post it here..would greatly appreciate all possible options

Look no further than Krause's comparison sheet:

 

[Count Arthur]

Thank you all for your recommendations, feedback, and suggestions...if you ever think up of audio interface thats between 200-300 thats decent to great as an amp please post it here..would greatly appreciate all possible options

There have been a couple measured here:

Topping E2x2 Audio Interface Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Professional E2x2 audio interface (ADC, DAC, Headphone Amp). It was sent to me by the company and costs US $159. As the British would say, the E2x2 definitely "looks the part" as far as fitting in the general offering of interfaces in...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Motu M2 Review (Audio Interface)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Motu M2 Audio Interface (DAC, ADC and headphone amplifier). It is on kind loan from a local member and costs US $179. I previously reviewed Motu M4 which is its larger brother. The M2 has the look of other Motu products: I like the color...

www.audiosciencereview.com

There have been others, but these both do well with regard to headphone output impedance in the chart that staticV3 added above.