good dac to pair with Denon AH-D600

[rob_d]

Hi. I have a pair of Denon AH-D600. They are old but are great headphones. Recently I bought the chord mojo for some other headphones. Whenever I use them with my denons I don't really hear a difference. I don't need any amplification for my denons, you can drive them easily straight from your phone or computer, so I was thinking of investing in a pure dac. Any ideas? Thanks.

Also, my budget is around $500.

 

[Chrispy]

Why would you need to spend that much? Chord is overpriced for what it is IMO. More look to the load your headphones represent and get an amp most appropriate is probably your best plan. A pure dac doesn't provide amplification fwiw (it may provide a particular output level, tho).