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Headphone and AMP/DAC recommendations

navin

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Oct 28, 2020
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Budget: MAX $1000 for everything
Requirement: Compact Desktop AMP/DAC (one box) + Headphones

I figured: $400 for the amp and $600 for the headphones but it might be an even split too ($500 each).

AMP/DAC: ASGARD with Multibit DAC, OR Topping DX7 Pro (a bit expensive at $650) OR JDS ELEMENT II OR iFi xDSD (don't need the portability) OR please suggest

Headphones: Beyer Dynamic 1990 Pro from Amazon, OR DROP/Dan Clark AEON Open X, OR MASSDROP/FOCAL ELEX OR please suggest

I am currently leaning toward the AEON Open X $499 and Schitt Asgard (with Multibit DAC) $449.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

P.S.
Current AMP/DACs: K5 Pro, Aune T1S, iFi Zen Can, Aune X1S Pro (with X5s and XP2), and iFi Hip DAC (older blue one).
Current Headphones: AKG 712 Pro (2), Beyer DT 880 Pro (2), Hifiman Sundara (2), and Audeze something (forgot the model but it was around $300 when I got it).
I have 2 setups in 2 offices and 2 at home (living room and bedroom).
 

VintageFlanker

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Any suggestions?
Yes: forget about Multibit.

Then, you don't need DX7 Pro since cheaper EX5 is better. DAC/Amp is really the least of your problems nowadays.

I see nothing wrong if you want to try new headphones, tho. Then, you could refer to measurements from either ASR or DIY Audio Heaven for each
 
Last edited:

Walter

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Forgot to mention: for the phones, I see you have no Sennheisers currently. Maybe try the HD600 or HD650?
 

Human Bass

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If you take advantage of 11/11, you can buy D30pro and A30pro with a nice discount and that's a end game stack. I know because I have them.
 

Lpd2

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DX7Pro and Elex could be epic. I think last year the Elex went down to about $400 for the holidays.
 
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