Hi, I have decided to upgrade from my Topping D10 and JDS Labs Atom to something fully balanced and with better build quality/feel. I like the fact that Topping D10 has Digital Out and I utilize that regularly by connecting FiiO BTA30 to Optical Out so that I can stream LDAC over Bluetooth to my headphones. I also use analog out from BTA30 to Atom's 3.5mm input so that I can use bluetooth both ways and this is quite nice.
For headphones I use Audeze LCD-2C (with Reveal+ VST plugin in EQApo), HD58x and Drop Panda (via FiiO BTA30).
I also have powered monitors (Presonus Eris 3.5 with Eris Sub8 woofer) connected to Atom output RCAs so that I can use Atom as preamp volume control for my active speakers. When I plug in the headphones, speakers are muted and I would like to keep this functionality, be it automatic or via some toggle switch.
Here is a schematic of my current setup (I would like to keep all the functionality):
For DAC I have settled on Soncoz LA-QXD1 since it has Digital Out and I might also use Optical In one day. I also like that it has two sets of analog outputs (XLR and RCA) so that will allow me to, at some point, add a tube amp to my setup if I want something with a different flavour while still keeping the solid-state.
For AMP I am still not sure what I want to get in the ~$400 range. My three main options are:
For H16 I have some worries because I read some comments that it does not mute preouts when the headphones are plugged in so I would have to turn off my speakers. There is one potential benefit to this - I could check out using a woofer together with headphones (I can turn off only the sepakers and keep the woofer running) so H16 is not completely out of the question although it does not offer preamp on/off switching. I might get some small switchbox for that at some point.
I am leaning towards HO200 but I really don't know what to expect from it in terms of sound quality. I like what I read about H16 being "musical".
I live in Europe and I would probably order from HiFiGo, Thomann or Audiophonics.
Do you guys have some recommendations?
For headphones I use Audeze LCD-2C (with Reveal+ VST plugin in EQApo), HD58x and Drop Panda (via FiiO BTA30).
I also have powered monitors (Presonus Eris 3.5 with Eris Sub8 woofer) connected to Atom output RCAs so that I can use Atom as preamp volume control for my active speakers. When I plug in the headphones, speakers are muted and I would like to keep this functionality, be it automatic or via some toggle switch.
Here is a schematic of my current setup (I would like to keep all the functionality):
For DAC I have settled on Soncoz LA-QXD1 since it has Digital Out and I might also use Optical In one day. I also like that it has two sets of analog outputs (XLR and RCA) so that will allow me to, at some point, add a tube amp to my setup if I want something with a different flavour while still keeping the solid-state.
For AMP I am still not sure what I want to get in the ~$400 range. My three main options are:
- SMSL HO200
- Gustard H16
- Singxer SA-1 (stretching the budget by a good margin)
For H16 I have some worries because I read some comments that it does not mute preouts when the headphones are plugged in so I would have to turn off my speakers. There is one potential benefit to this - I could check out using a woofer together with headphones (I can turn off only the sepakers and keep the woofer running) so H16 is not completely out of the question although it does not offer preamp on/off switching. I might get some small switchbox for that at some point.
I am leaning towards HO200 but I really don't know what to expect from it in terms of sound quality. I like what I read about H16 being "musical".
I live in Europe and I would probably order from HiFiGo, Thomann or Audiophonics.
Do you guys have some recommendations?
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