New to this, looking for amp (or pre-amp?) to combine with Fiio K11 and to use for Audeze LCD 2C

[janjilecek]

I am using the 6.35mm jack on the Fiio K11, not sure it has enough power to drive my new Audeze LCD 2C. Expected more bass as a Beyerdynamic user, mainly for neurofunk and dnb.

Used to have Fosi GR40 for a while and really liked the BASS knob. Returned it out of laziness, did not want to change the electrodes every year. But it sounded great and the bass knob was FUN.

Is there something rather cheap that I could use to ensure the headphones are getting enough power and maybe has a separate bass control?

Would Fosi SK01 work?

I do not want to spend 100 usd for 4.4 to mini-XLR cable. I would rather use the 6.35mm and have a separate amp. Is that the way?

 

[CuriousAli]

Finding a preamp with tone controls and not using vacuum tubes while also having a good headphone amp doesn't seem like an easy task.
If you are listening on a computer, I would suggest trying EQ or PEQ software to increase the bass and you will have even more control.
If you were open to changing the DAC itself many of the later Fiio DACs have PEQ, also Topping DX5II, Fosi Audio ZH3 and in higher prices Chord Mojo 2 and RME ADI-2.

 

[janjilecek]

Finding a preamp with tone controls and not using vacuum tubes while also having a good headphone amp doesn't seem like an easy task.
If you are listening on a computer, I would suggest trying EQ or PEQ software to increase the bass and you will have even more control.
If you were open to changing the DAC itself many of the later Fiio DACs have PEQ, also Topping DX5II, Fosi Audio ZH3 and in higher prices Chord Mojo 2 and RME ADI-2.

Hmm, the Topping DX5 II is nice, maybe I could connect the Audeze to it with XLR directly, not mess around with the jacks, and use the PEQ to boost the bass?

 

[oleg87]

The FiiO has plenty of power. If you’re feeding it from a PC, software EQ (courtesy of EqAPO) will let you dial in bass to your taste. Or get something like the DX5 II which has it built-in.

 

[CuriousAli]

Hmm, the Topping DX5 II is nice, maybe I could connect the Audeze to it with XLR directly, not mess around with the jacks, and use the PEQ to boost the bass?

I don't think connecting your headphone to the XLR output is a good idea as it is a line out and not a headphone out. It has the headphone output in the phone jack style though.

 

[janjilecek]

ok, might be some DAC/AMP with PEQ, doesn't have to have a bass knob - I will set it once, and forget it. Are there some budget options like that? I plan to sell my Fiio K11. I am already using Equalizer APO, but I do not want to run a software EQ at all times.

 

[CuriousAli]

ok, might be some DAC/AMP with PEQ, doesn't have to have a bass knob - I will set it once, and forget it. Are there some budget options like that? I plan to sell my Fiio K11. I am already using Equalizer APO, but I do not want to run a software EQ at all times.

If you were satisfied with analog tone controls on Fosi GR40 chances are you would be satisfied with Fosi SK01 preamp that you mentioned and you can keep the Fiio K11 and I guess that would be the most budget option. I don't know how good is its headphone amp and tone controls, you can read amir's review:

Fosi Audio SK-01 Headphone Amplifier Review

This is a review, listening test and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio SK-01 Headphone amp and preamplifier. It is was sent to me by the company and costs US $80. You can quickly see what distinguishes the SK-01 from myriad of other headphone amps: inclusion of tone control and loudness...

www.audiosciencereview.com

But for DACs with PEQ feature builtin and a good headphone amp I have listed a few above on my first post. Other than them some of Fiio's latest portable DAC/Amps are cheap and have PEQ too, but the desktop ones are K13 R2R, K15, K17 and K19.

 

[CuriousAli]

I don't think connecting your headphone to the XLR output is a good idea as it is a line out and not a headphone out. It has the headphone output in the phone jack style though.

I have to correct myself here, DX5 II has the correct XLR headphone out too on its front, I thought you meant the rear XLR outputs for line out.

 

[janjilecek]

I have to correct myself here, DX5 II has the correct XLR headphone out too on its front, I thought you meant the rear XLR outputs for line out.

bought the topping, bye bye Fiio. And thanks Ali.

 

[janjilecek]

another question, after buying the Topping DX5 II - should I use high or low gain with the LCD2C? High sounds better I think, but I read Low has lower distortion....

 

[CuriousAli]

another question, after buying the Topping DX5 II - should I use high or low gain with the LCD2C? High sounds better I think, but I read Low has lower distortion....

Sorry just got online after weeks of internet blackout.
I think whichever you like the sound with more, both should have low enough noise/distortion.

 

[Peterinvan]

My current reference stack…