Meze 105 DAC/AMP Pairing

[GilbertITH]

Just demoed several cans, Sundara, Senn 600, and Meze 105 AER - loved and plan to purchase the 105's but the two DAC's I tried both had issues. The WOO Tube Mini sounded warm without being to much but no way I would get a $400. plus unit with USB-A as well, it lacks an audio protection circuit should you unplug when the unit is on, POP! The other iFi Go Link was actually nice on the Sundara but not the 105's.

So, has anyone used the 105's with a Schiit Magni+DAC or combo with the Modi?

I want something which will not color the slightly warm 105's (IMO) add addition bass (they have plenty for me) and or muddle the mid-range. I want to stay under $500 and one suggestion was also to look at the JLabs Atom DAC2

Thanks

 

[staticV3]

Hi @GilbertITH! Welcome to ASR

The Atom DAC 2 is a pure DAC and so would require an additional headphone amp to drive the 105's.

Have you considered the JDS Element IV?

It's a reference-grade DAC+Amp, with support for internal EQ processing should you warm up to frequency response compensation later on (highly recommended!)

Here's Amir's review:

JDS Labs Element IV DAC & HP Amp with EQ Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the JDS Labs Element IV (4) stereo DAC and headphone amplifier with support for parametric equalization. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $499. The Element IV implements their large and joyful horizontal volume control...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Edit:
Though to be fair, if you do not use the Element's EQ and only use efficient headphones like the 105, then the $500 Element IV will sound identical to something like the Topping DX1, or indeed even the Apple headphone adapter.

The Element's value lies in its built-in PEQ, well thought out design, exceptional customer support, and large power headroom for driving challenging headphones.

 

[GilbertITH]

The Element IV is more than the Schiit Amp+DAC combo and really more than I wanted to spend but would consider depending on how is sounds with the 105's?

EQ is an interesting question but I tend to prefer less colored music. I did see this iOS App for a software parametric but have not researched. I don't know the Topping, yet another DAC/Amp option and since I have to demo and potentially return a unit which colors the audio in a way I don't like, am looking first to see if anyone has used any DAC/Amp combo's with the 105 specifically.

Thanks though, more to think about..

 

[staticV3]

The Element IV is more than the Schiit Amp+DAC combo and really more than I wanted to spend but would consider depending on how is sounds with the 105's?

Exactly the same as any other neutral DAC+Amp (DX1, Apple A2049, ADI-2 Pro, etc etc)

EQ is an interesting question but I tend to prefer less colored music.

The point of well-utilized EQ is to make your music less colored, by removing colorations in the headphone's stock frequency response.

What you'll hear via frequency response corrected headphones comes even closer to the sound of the mastering studio.

am looking first to see if anyone has used any DAC/Amp combo's with the 105 specifically.

Coloration in DACs and Amps is exceedingly easy to quantify using even basic test equipment.

In all known metrics, the El IV, DX1, A2049, etc perform ruler-flat with no sound signature of their own. They're flavorless.

Human hearing OTOH is notoriously unreliable and may perceive a perfectly neutral Amp as slightly warm, wooly, clinical, or shrill depending on product name, design, price, preconceptions, playback volume, time of day, mood, and any number of other external factors.

That makes uncontrolled (read: biased) listening impressions of DACs and Amps little more than random number generators with all of the industry's favorite buzzwords as output.

I'd hence recommend you trust the data, not the words.

 

[oleg87]

The Schiit stuff you're considering should be absolutely fine and will not color or muddle anything. As will the Atom 2 stack.

 

[GilbertITH]

Exactly the same as any other neutral DAC+Amp (DX1, Apple A2049, ADI-2 Pro, etc etc)


The point of well-utilized EQ is to make your music less colored, by removing colorations in the headphone's stock frequency response.

What you'll hear via frequency response corrected headphones comes even closer to the sound of the mastering studio.


Coloration in DACs and Amps is exceedingly easy to quantify using even basic test equipment.

In all known metrics, the El IV, DX1, A2049, etc perform ruler-flat with no sound signature of their own. They're flavorless.

Human hearing OTOH is notoriously unreliable and may perceive a perfectly neutral Amp as slightly warm, wooly, clinical, or shrill depending on product name, design, price, preconceptions, playback volume, time of day, mood, and any number of other external factors.

That makes uncontrolled (read: biased) listening impressions of DACs and Amps little more than random number generators with all of the industry's favorite buzzwords as output.

I'd hence recommend you trust the data, not the words.

Well balanced EQ of course is an art - knowing what not to add or remove of course. I will say (IMO) the two DAC's I tried across the three can's altered the sonic quality. I wound up purchasing the Meze 105's today and likely will get either a Schiit Amp with build-in DAC or separates.

Totally correct that human hearing and perception are individualized and can change by many factor.

I trust the data - up to a point and in the end have to trust my ears against the different music genres I listen to.

many thanks