DAC/AMP recommendation for ROG Kithara

[bugis]

I’m currently using a Topping DX1, but I’m looking for a DAC/amp for the ROG Kithara. Is the EPZ TP-35 Pro a good option, or would you recommend something else?

 

[staticV3]

What's missing on the DX1?

 

[bugis]

What's missing on the DX1?

Actually, I’m not sure. On another forum I asked if the DX1 was enough for the Kithara, and someone replied that ‘the Topping DAC’s output power is the same as the headphone cable’s built-in DAC.’ So I thought it might be better to look for a new DAC/amp. Is the DX1 sufficient? If there will be an improvement in sound quality or soundstage, I’d like to try a different DAC/amp.

edit

If there will be an improvement in soundstage and overall sound quality, I could switch to the first version of the Fiio K11. Would I notice an improvement compared to the DX1?

What would you recommend?

 

[staticV3]

Is the DX1 sufficient? If there will be an improvement in sound quality or soundstage, I’d like to try a different DAC/amp.

If the DX1 plays loud enough for you and there's no audible clipping/distortion that would come from maxing out the DX1's Amp, then buying a new DAC+Amp will not achieve anything. Neither in quality nor in stage.

The best way to improve sound quality is to apply frequency response correction using software like Equalizer APO or SoundSource.

Beyond that, you can also experiment with HRTF processing to mimic Stereo room acoustics, using software like HeSuVi or HangLooseConvolver.

 

[bugis]

If the DX1 plays loud enough for you and there's no audible clipping/distortion that would come from maxing out the DX1's Amp, then buying a new DAC+Amp will not achieve anything. Neither in quality nor in stage.

The best way to improve sound quality is to apply frequency response correction using software like Equalizer APO or SoundSource.

Beyond that, you can also experiment with HRTF processing to mimic Stereo room acoustics, using software like HeSuVi or HangLooseConvolver.

Thanks for the reply.

Even when I use maximum volume, there’s no problem the sound is already loud enough to be deafening. People say that a better DAC/amp can improve sound quality. Even when I asked AI, it said that if I switch to the FiiO K11, I would get more detail, a wider and deeper soundstage, and a much more airy and clear sound where the instruments don’t blend together.

Also, there’s almost no difference between the DX1 and the ALC1200 onboard audio. This gave me the impression that the DX1 is insufficient.

 

[staticV3]

Even when I asked AI, it said that if I switch to the FiiO K11, I would get more detail, a wider and deeper soundstage, and a much more airy and clear sound where the instruments don’t blend together.

Audiophool nonsense regurgitated by the AI.

Also, there’s almost no difference between the DX1 and the ALC1200 onboard audio. This gave me the impression that the DX1 is insufficient.

That's the wrong impression to get.

Headphones improving step by step as you get beefier and more expensive DAC+Amps to drive them with is a complete myth, born almost entirely from sunk cost fallacy, confirmation bias, and a lack of controls when comparing.

The fact that you hear no difference between the DX1 and onboard audio instead is a testament to the fact that
A) DACs and Amps are no witchcraft and have been audibly perfect for a long time and
B) The Kithara is an easy headphone to drive and performs at its best used with most any headphone output.

 

[bugis]

Audiophool nonsense regurgitated by the AI.


That's the wrong impression to get.

Headphones improving step by step as you get beefier and more expensive DAC+Amps to drive them with is a complete myth, born almost entirely from sunk cost fallacy, confirmation bias, and a lack of controls when comparing.

The fact that you hear no difference between the DX1 and onboard audio instead is a testament to the fact that
A) DACs and Amps are no witchcraft and have been audibly perfect for a long time and
B) The Kithara is an easy headphone to drive and performs at its best used with most any headphone output.

The ROG Kithara isn’t available in my country yet, but I’ll get it once it is. For now, I did my tests with the HD560S.
Don’t get me wrong, but are you suggesting that people are wasting their money on $300-$500 or even thousand-dollar DAC/amps?

 

[staticV3]

Don’t get me wrong, but are you suggesting that people are wasting their money on $300-$500 or even thousand-dollar DAC/amps?

Oh absolutely.

These are not rational purchases.