Headphone Amp/DAC with a Turntable?

[MMeirolas]

Greetings from Germany

I have a turntable connected to a phono preamp. Have a CD player as well.

Since i can't use speakers (space constraints), I'm searching for a good headphone amp/dac with digital and analog inputs to connect everything.

Something like a Fiio K5/7/9/9pro.

Now my questions (maybe stupid) are:

If i connect the phono preamp to the analog rca inputs on the Fiio, will it bypass the Fiio's internal DAC?

I read that it might not be ideal to be using a turntable with a DAC (soundwise).

And would the Fiio be good for a Sennheiser HD6XX or is there something better on the market?

Thank you very much and have a nice evening

 

[staticV3]

If i connect the phono preamp to the analog rca inputs on the Fiio, will it bypass the Fiio's internal DAC?

Yes.

And would the Fiio be good for a Sennheiser HD6XX

Yes.

 

[MMeirolas]

Yes.


Yes.

Thank you very much for your reply

Are the Fiio amps really good or is there something better? I don't think there is a headphone amp ranking on this website...

Best regards

 

[solderdude]

Way more than good enough.

Of course there are technically 'better' measuring DAC-amps but they won't be audibly 'better'.
There might be DAC-amps with better build quality and longevity but that part is like taking part in a lottery anyway.

 

[MMeirolas]

Way more than good enough.

Of course there are technically 'better' measuring DAC-amps but they won't be audibly 'better'.
There might be DAC-amps with better build quality and longevity but that part is like taking part in a lottery anyway.

Thank you.

Can you give 2 or 3 examples so i can compare and decide?

Cheers

 

[solderdude]

there is no need for that... it is more than good enough already. Better technical performance will not lead to better sound quality.

 

[MMeirolas]

there is no need for that... it is more than good enough already. Better technical performance will not lead to better sound quality.

So for example a RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE wouldn't sound better than say a K7/K9/Pro?

Cheers

​

 

[solderdude]

It won't sound better but it will measure better, have more power at the HP out and have nifty features like crossfeed, parametric EQ and will have much better support and longevity.

Better sound .... that's not the reason to buy the ADI2

 

[MMeirolas]

It won't sound better but it will measure better, have more power at the HP out and have nifty features like crossfeed, parametric EQ and will have much better support and longevity.

Better sound .... that's not the reason to buy the ADI2

OK, i see... Thanks.

Measurements are a thing here but If it's not audible, it doesn't mean much, right?

Do you think better headphones would make an improvement? I like the Sennheiser because they are not piercing to my ears like others i had (AKG K702)

Cheers

 

[solderdude]

OK, i see... Thanks.

Measurements are a thing here but If it's not audible, it doesn't mean much, right?

Do you think better headphones would make an improvement? I like the Sennheiser because they are not piercing to my ears like others i had (AKG K702)

Cheers

Measurements can show if the device is problematic or top notch performance which could be important if used for measurements for example.
Basically needed to check performance of the reviewed device. It is also good for checking manufacturer specs to see if they are posting the correct data.
So very useful, above a certain threshold there usually is no direct relation to sound quality though.

 

[unpluggged]

So for example a RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE wouldn't sound better than say a K7/K9/Pro?

Not if you don't use any of its DSP features. The dynamic loudness alone can make the difference.

 

[MMeirolas]

Never heard about it...

Not if you don't use any of its DSP features. The dynamic loudness alone can make the difference.

Have heard about "Loudness" but never about "Dynamic Loudness"... Will look into it

One last question:

If i connect my CD Player directly to the Fiio with Optical or Coax, will i be using the Fiio's DAC or the one in my CD Player (Wolfson WM8740)?