Someone passed away and I received a pair of Meze Empyrean headphones, and an SPL Phonitor xe (no DAC). I've always appreciated high end audio, just never thought I would own a pair of phones like these!
So far, I haven't been able to listen to them, as I received some cables (I'll post a pic if it lets me), that have a combo 3.5mm and 2.5mm(?) on one end and XLR on the other. I tried running the 3.5mm from a Mac Mini output to one of the XLR channel inputs on the back of the Phonitor but got no sound even in mono.
I think that the cable set is for an Astell Kern player (which I didn't get). I also don't have a DAC to run into this amp - the options seem overwhelming, and the thing I am most wondering - I keep seeing reviews or recommendations for the AudioQuest DragonFly USB DAC - and other DAC/Headphone amp combos that are from SMSL or Topping that supposedly do the DAC job AND run the headphones? They are so small in physical size! Can they really run my headphones when the SPL unit is so huge? More power I assume, right?? If I get a standalone DAC, does it need to be one with XLR out?
So what do I need? I've no experience listening to such resolving headphones, so should I add something like and SMSL SU-9, or sell the Phonitor and get something else like an SMSL M500?
Any help greatly appreciated! Please don't tell me to buy a $4000 DAC even though the rest might demand it - I just can't!
So far, I haven't been able to listen to them, as I received some cables (I'll post a pic if it lets me), that have a combo 3.5mm and 2.5mm(?) on one end and XLR on the other. I tried running the 3.5mm from a Mac Mini output to one of the XLR channel inputs on the back of the Phonitor but got no sound even in mono.
I think that the cable set is for an Astell Kern player (which I didn't get). I also don't have a DAC to run into this amp - the options seem overwhelming, and the thing I am most wondering - I keep seeing reviews or recommendations for the AudioQuest DragonFly USB DAC - and other DAC/Headphone amp combos that are from SMSL or Topping that supposedly do the DAC job AND run the headphones? They are so small in physical size! Can they really run my headphones when the SPL unit is so huge? More power I assume, right?? If I get a standalone DAC, does it need to be one with XLR out?
So what do I need? I've no experience listening to such resolving headphones, so should I add something like and SMSL SU-9, or sell the Phonitor and get something else like an SMSL M500?
Any help greatly appreciated! Please don't tell me to buy a $4000 DAC even though the rest might demand it - I just can't!