Looking for suggestions on which DAC to get

[toobie]

Hello

I'm new to this depth of audio but I am a producer / mixing and mastering engineer currently using Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohms going through a Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD audio interface.

After reading other posts I understand in the future I will need to upgrade the headphones but just thought a DAC would be a start !

Currently looking at the Topping DX3 Pro+ however am very unsure about what would be best for me right now whilst also future proofing for future headphones.

​

 

[gvl]

RME ADI-2 DAC, use EQ and keep your DT770s.

 

[DVDdoug]

Is there a specific problem with your current setup?

After reading other posts I understand in the future I will need to upgrade the headphones but just thought a DAC would be a start !

Most pros would advise against using headphones as your main monitors (unless you are specifically making a headphone mix).

Here are some excerpts I've collected from Recording Magazine:

This is from "Readers Submissions" where readers send-in their recordings for evaluation:

As those of you who have followed this column for any length of time can attest, headphone mixing is one of the big no-no's around these parts. In our humble opinion, headphone mixes do not translate well in the real world, period, end of story. Other than checking for balance issues and the occasional hunting down of little details, they are tools best left for the tracking process.

And this is from a mixing engineer:

Can I mix on headphones?

No. But in all seriousness, headphones can be a secret weapon and it really doesn’t matter what they sound like…

Over time, after constantly listening back to my work from different studios on those headphones I really started to learn them. They became sort of a compass. Wherever I went… It became a pattern for me to reference these headphones to see if what I was hearing was “right”…

I learned them, I knew them, I trusted them. It didn’t matter whether or not I loved them…

So, can you mix on headphones? Probably. I just think you really need to put some time into learning them first…

This is from Floyd Tool's book, Sound Reproduction

Headphones entertain masses of people. Professionals occasionally mix on them when conditions demand it. Both rely on some connection to sound reproduction, that is, loudspeakers in rooms, because that's how stereo is intended to be heard. Stereo recordings are mixed on loudspeakers.

 

[AnalogSteph]

The DX3 Pro+ is not bad, but its connectivity is living in the consumer audio world which may prove an issue if you want to acquire some active monitors in the future (assuming you are intending to replace the Behringer instead of complementing it). Mind stating your approximate budget and location (country)?

The UMC204HD does a decent enough job as a DAC, you could run its headphone output into an external amp like Topping's L30 II (keeping away from maximum output by a bit). You would be prepared for just about anything with that one, and even more should you get a louder source in the future.

+1 for EQing the DT770Pro 80s (there are various presets for them floating around, you just need to integrate some sort of PEQ plugin). Fundamentally they're not bad cans (being closed means good level handling if nothing else), and they should straighten out fairly well.
+1 for considering speakers in addition (+ perhaps a measurement mic to sort out the room acoustics, even a basic Superlux ECM999 / Behringer ECM8000). For starters, you can get some really decent, still rather inexpensive 5" class monitors these days (substantially better than what I started out with 17 years ago).

 

[GXAlan]

Neutron HiFi DAC V1 Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Neutron HiFi™ DAC V1 portable DAC and headphone amplifier with signal processing (e.g. EQ). It was sent to me by the company and costs US $180. I didn't think it was possible to give a feeling of luxury and style to a dongle...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[toobie]

Is there a specific problem with your current setup?


Most pros would advise against using headphones as your main monitors (unless you are specifically making a headphone mix).

Here are some excerpts I've collected from Recording Magazine:

This is from "Readers Submissions" where readers send-in their recordings for evaluation:


And this is from a mixing engineer:



This is from Floyd Tool's book, Sound Reproduction

There are no serious issues with my current setup however I do feel if i can improve my headphones I should as I am currently a student and therfore have to keep noise low. I do have a pair of M-Audio BX5s which I occasionally use but when they are on as well as the signal I get a load of noise. As well as this my housing is only temporary and is rented so sound treatment is a difficult one.

I have spent a while using these headphones and know them quite well to the point I am achieving professional mixes on most occasions. Although my soundstage feels very limited in comparison to when I use them with different equipment (unsure of what exactly it is as my main studio has most gear hidden away and just a connector for it).

Appreciate the advice !

 

[toobie]

The DX3 Pro+ is not bad, but its connectivity is living in the consumer audio world which may prove an issue if you want to acquire some active monitors in the future (assuming you are intending to replace the Behringer instead of complementing it). Mind stating your approximate budget and location (country)?

The UMC204HD does a decent enough job as a DAC, you could run its headphone output into an external amp like Topping's L30 II (keeping away from maximum output by a bit). You would be prepared for just about anything with that one, and even more should you get a louder source in the future.

+1 for EQing the DT770Pro 80s (there are various presets for them floating around, you just need to integrate some sort of PEQ plugin). Fundamentally they're not bad cans (being closed means good level handling if nothing else), and they should straighten out fairly well.
+1 for considering speakers in addition (+ perhaps a measurement mic to sort out the room acoustics, even a basic Superlux ECM999 / Behringer ECM8000). For starters, you can get some really decent, still rather inexpensive 5" class monitors these days (substantially better than what I started out with 17 years ago).

I'm currently living in the UK. My ideal budget would be around £150 - £300. I do have a pair of M-Audio BX5s which have a load of noise which comes with the signal.

After measuring the room would i need to treat it or could i get away with using a PEQ to help with this to some degree. My issue is that I am renting my house as a student so nothing can be fixed. I was tempted by sonarworks but ended up not getting it for some reason.

Appreciate the response !

 

[AnalogSteph]

I do have a pair of M-Audio BX5s which have a load of noise which comes with the signal.

(Presumably the BX5 D3 or D2? The first ones would have to be quite old now.) And I guess you can't turn them down enough to get rid of that and still have enough output? What sort of cable are you using between the UMC204HD and those? I won't be surprised if it's instrument cable with TS jacks, rather than the TRS patch cable that it should be. Apart from that a bunch of budget monitors also suffer from Pin 1 issues. A Behringer MicroHD HD400 (alongside a second set of cables) may be a wise investment, that has helped sort out countless ground loop issues in "monitor speakers on PC" setups over the years.

After measuring the room would i need to treat it or could i get away with using a PEQ to help with this to some degree. My issue is that I am renting my house as a student so nothing can be fixed.

PEQ won't save a room that sounds like a bath or fix the phasey mess that comes with placing speakers directly on a desk sans stands, but it can straighten out quite a lot if you know what you are doing. With a bit of creativity, you can generally get enough sound treatment going without having to glue anything to the walls. I've had more or less the exact same problem.

I was tempted by sonarworks but ended up not getting it for some reason.

I would guess that the reason would have been price. Us cheapskates are generally taking measurements using REW and applying system-wide EQ with Equalizer APO (+ PEACE). For what you need, you can also get by with an inexpensive measurement mic (Behringer ECM-8000 / Superlux ECM999). You mainly want to sort out the 50 Hz to 1-2 kHz range.