Looking for a Dac/Amp combo for my Meze Empyrean 2

[ilgeek]

Hi Guys, not sure if this post is redundant or spammy, if that's the case I apologize.

Well as the title says I'm looking for a good option to pair with my Meze Empyrean 2 and probably with my other headphones too
at this point I'm overwhelmed by options and opinions from reviewers, post on different forums (including this one)

I'm looking for something that preferably comes from a manufacturer located in the US or Europe.
I have nothing against Chinese brands but I've read so many horror stories about bad units, terrible costumer support experiences, components burning out after a couple of months etc.
And I know that every industrialized process will produce a faulty unit no matter the country of origin, but here's were the customer support part comes into play, and considering that I'm located
in Mexico asking for new parts or send a unit for repair seams almost impossible or impractical from a cost perspective.

That being said, I'll love to hear good stories related to components produced there with great customer support experiences...
My Budget pretty much evaporated on the headphones
I have $1,500 USD to pick something to drive the Empyrean 2, I Know that you don't need to much power to make them work
but definitely I want something that helps me find new details on my music, I'm not opposed to warm signatures or bass heavy as long is not something that's being artificially generated
I like controlled bass response, love to detect texture on vocals and instruments, I also like to play video games

My main driver is pretty much my PC or my Mac, I don't have a dedicated NAS, I have a small Hi-Fi FLAC library, but most of the time I'm streaming from Qbouz, Tidal, Apple Music and His res Audio
Also I saw this DAC/AMP from Marantz called HD-DAC1, I know that is discontinued, but I'll like to hear your opinions guys

Thank you so much for your feedback

 

[staticV3]

Hi @ilgeek! Welcome to ASR.

I have $1,500 USD to pick something to drive the Empyrean 2, I Know that you don't need to much power to make them work
but definitely I want something that helps me find new details on my music
I'm looking for something that preferably comes from a manufacturer located in the US or Europe.

Easy answer: RME ADI-2 DAC or JDS Element IV.

Both support loading frequency response correction straight into hardware, which is one of few ways how you'll actually find new details in your music.

Presets can be found here:
https://forum.headphones.com/t/meze-empyrean-2-official-thread/22280
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cz8i....pdf?rlkey=zdwojm9fcf23bt57ia6zyb7r8&e=2&dl=0

Note that both of them are designed for the Duo earpads.

 

[ilgeek]

Hi @ilgeek! Welcome to ASR.


Easy answer: RME ADI-2 DAC or JDS Element IV.

Both support loading frequency response correction straight into hardware, which is one of few ways how you'll actually find new details in your music.

Presets can be found here:
https://forum.headphones.com/t/meze-empyrean-2-official-thread/22280
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cz8i....pdf?rlkey=zdwojm9fcf23bt57ia6zyb7r8&e=2&dl=0

Note that both of them are designed for the Duo earpads.

Thank you so much for the quick response!!

What about the Marantz HD-DAC1? there's really not that much info on forums about that one, guess that's a sign

Great community!!!

 

[staticV3]

What about the Marantz HD-DAC1?

No built-in frequency response correction -> it'll sound like any other DAC.

 

[ilgeek]

No built-in frequency response correction -> it'll sound like any other DAC.

Interesting, I also also looking at the Atom 2 Bundle from JDS labs

 

[Overseas]

Peq , even AutoEQ for loading presets will make rhe difference.

 

[unpluggged]

I have nothing against Chinese brands but I've read so many horror stories about bad units, terrible costumer support experiences, components burning out after a couple of months etc.

There's a lot of horror stories about European and American brands around, too. Especially when it's about "boutique" brands.

Some here think that I'm biased against Chinese brands, but in reality I despise Western brands that pretend to be some premium manufacturers when actually they make unreliable and hazardous garbage (like the appropriately named Schiit whose workers cannot even solder without splattering the tin all over the place) much more, while I appreciate and give credit to those who exhibit good manufacturing and customer support practices regardless of their location.

There are also manufacturers that are among the top in one category, but are awful in another. For instance, I would happily buy a Moondrop IEM rather than, say, a Shure one (based on my own experience and reviews), but would stay away from Moondrop DSP dongles.

I also strictly avoid getting near any mains-powered device that lacks proper electrical safety certifications, which is sadly a common thing among both the Chinese and the Western "boutique" manufacturers.

 

[TRDK]

Easy answer: RME ADI-2 DAC or JDS Element IV.

Go for:

 

[TRDK]

Both support loading frequency response correction straight into hardware, which is one of few ways how you'll actually find new details in your music.

Is there any advantage compared to importing into Roon?

 

[staticV3]

Is there any advantage compared to importing into Roon?

Only in flexibility since every source device you plug into the ADI-2 DAC/Element IV will be EQed.
You're not tied to Roon for frequency response corrected playback.