It will have a 10% off discount. M500
on the amazon too? Or what is the best source in austria / eu?
It will have a 10% off discount. M500
I have a hard time deciding between the Topping D70 and M500. I have zero interest in the headphone amplifier.
Yes, the same discount on amazon.on the amazon too? Or what is the best source in austria / eu?
I have a hard time deciding between the Topping D70 and M500. I have zero interest in the headphone amplifier.
Greetings everyone, Just joined ASR.
To give you a little bit of info ...
So please can you guys suggest me something which fits the bill ($550 max) and suits the idea...Thank you for your time. Also thank you for making this a great place to spend time to really learn something great for our sonic bliss.
Welcome to ASR.
Fairly difficult to understand what exactly it is you're looking for based on what you wrote above. Keep in mind that small differences in measurements -- especially with high performing gear -- will not be audible, so I think some of your concerns about specific units are overstated. (e.g., the "ESS IMD hump"; it exists, but likely does not have an audible impact for top-measuring equipment.)
Given your budget limitation I would recommend all three of the DAC/amp combos listed in this measurement comparison as they are all high performers that provide tremendous value given their respective price points.
Otherwise you might consider the Topping D50s (regularly has runs on Drop) paired with any one of these THX headphone amps: Drop 789, Massdrop 887, or the SMSL SP200. Slightly above your budget number but you'd be getting a SOTA amp paired with a very capable DAC. The only thing you'd be giving up are XLR outs on the DAC, but that only matters if you have ground loop issues.
- The output impedance of the DX7 Pro (6.2 Ω) is not a concern for driving your 300 Ω HD6XX's.
- You might focus on the Sabaj D5 or the DX7 Pro as they have XLR headphone outs, which will have greater power than the 1/4 out.
I don't own any of these units so I can't speak to any possible issues regarding build quality / reliability, which you seem to infer for a few of the devices you mention.
I'm not aware of issues using the Sabaj D5 as a pre-amp. That said, I don't own one. You may have better luck (on ASR) asking your questions on these threads where there are likely more owners of the D5; this thread probably has more people who are looking to compare/buy.
Looking at your Sherbourn PT-7030, it appears it has:
- Measurements: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ew-and-measurements-of-sabaj-d5-dac-amp.8337/
- Owner's thread: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/sabaj-d5-owners-thread.9561/
View attachment 38802
- XLR inputs
- Unbalanced RCA inputs
So it seems like it would work fine if you were feeding both of your sources -- stereo music via Tidal (via USB) + movie audio via Blu-ray ( via coax/optical) into the Sabaj D5, then passing that on to the PT-7030. You could then route from there as needed.
Please don't take my suggestion as definitive, I don't have a setup like this so I'm only basing this on inputs and outputs. I'm just not aware of anything that disqualifies the D5 as a pre-amp.
I thought the Sherbourne is your preamp? (i.e. accepting multiple inputs and selecting which source is routed to your amps.)
I can confirm the DX7 Pro input selector does loop around; there's no way to know which input you're on from looking at the remote. But the switch is almost instantaneous, so you can tell which input you're on just by listening to what you selected.An option could be to use DX7 Pro if it doesn't loop around in the inputs. I.e. If you are on the last digital input and press the right arrow, does it go to the first digital input? If it doesn't loop around, then I can make it work.
I can confirm the DX7 Pro input selector does loop around; there's no way to know which input you're on from looking at the remote. But the switch is almost instantaneous, so you can tell which input you're on just by listening to what you selected.
On paper the DX7 Pro is the clear choice.
But Toppings issues with the DX3 Pro around it's output stage, revisions changing performance characterisitics (removal of silencing relays, higher output impedance) and half of the units I've received with wonky knobs makes me apprehensive esspecially for the price tag.
Which is a shame since I really prefer the look and interface of Topping vs the other two.
I think I would get the M500 since its comparable performance and much cheaper.
Had the Philips X2HR connected to the Topping DX7 pro this afternoon. headphone 30 Ohm, topping headphone output 6.2 Ohm. Only a slight barely noticeable attenuation in the bas section was noticed, had to concentrate for it to hear the higher output in the lower regions. IMO no distortion, no boomy bass, no muddy bass, just a slight elevation giving it a bit more presence.Fair points. Although even on paper the output impendance (6.2 ohms) of the 1/4 jack on the DX7 Pro could easily be a deal breaker, depending on the headphones you own or want to own.