Should I upgrade DAC?

[Sensetrigger]

Sup guys. I'm planning to buy a Topping L30 amp.

My current DAC is Realtek ALC1220 with ESS Sabre ES9023P, headphones - Sennheiser HD650 and Beyerdynamic DT250 (250ohms version).



Could you tell me, does it make sense for me to buy a Topping E30 (or other DAC in a similar price category), if my current one works fine and gives a clean signal?

it's more like a diminishing returns question, honestly.

 

[andreasmaaan]

If this is your device, you certainly won't have any audible problems with noise or distortion.

I can't find a spec for its max. output power. Is it capable of driving your headphones to satisfying levels without strain?

If not, I'd consider an external headphone amp (but no point buying a new DAC).

 

[Sensetrigger]

If this is your device, you certainly won't have any audible problems with noise or distortion.

I can't find a spec for its max. output power. Is it capable of driving your headphones to satisfying levels without strain?

If not, I'd consider an external headphone amp (but no point buying a new DAC).

My motherboard is Asus Crosshair VIII Impact.

Spoiler: Specs for audio card

ROG SupremeFX8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- High quality120dBSNR stereo playback outputand113dBSNR recording input
- SupremeFX Shielding Technology
- ESS® ES9023P
- Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playback

For me, comfortable volume in the 50-60 range for the Sennheiser HD650. I don't hear any distortion or noise even at higher volume levels.

 

[andreasmaaan]

My motherboard is Asus Crosshair VIII Impact. For me, comfortable volume in the 50-60 range for the Sennheiser HD650. I don't hear any distortion or noise even at higher volume levels.

I realise your motherboard is different, but my understanding is that both use the same ALC1220. I.e. wouldn't expect there to be any significant difference in audio performance.

Anyway, given that, and given that you don't hear any distortion or signs of strain at your max. listening level, I'd say no need to upgrade anything

 

[twsecrest]

Sup guys. I'm planning to buy a Topping L30 amp.
My current DAC is Realtek ALC1220 with ESS Sabre ES9023P, headphones - Sennheiser HD650 and Beyerdynamic DT250 (250ohms version).
Could you tell me, does it make sense for me to buy a Topping E30 (or other DAC in a similar price category), if my current one works fine and gives a clean signal? It's more like a diminishing returns question, honestly.

More correctly, your motherboard uses the Realtek ALC1200 audio processor and for a DAC, the ES9023P DAC chip.
(the ALC1200 does come with a built in DAC function, but the ES9023P is doing the DAC function (better sound that way)).
The 300-Ohm HD650 is considered to improve with good voltage, so getting an external headphone amplifier starts to make sense.
Set the onboard audio to 2-channel and "Speaker" out (not headphone out), to feed the best signal to the external headphone amplifier.

 

[andreasmaaan]

More correctly, your motherboard uses the Realtek ALC1200 audio processor and for a DAC, the ES9023P DAC chip.
(the ALC1200 does come with a built in DAC function, but the ES9023P is doing the DAC function (better sound that way)).
The 300-Ohm HD650 is considered to improve with good voltage, so getting an external headphone amplifier starts to make sense.
Set the onboard audio to 2-channel and "Speaker" out (not headphone out), to feed the best signal to the external headphone amplifier.

According to the OP, it's ALC1220, which is a step up from ALC1200 and IIUC offers double the output voltage, too.

 

[3125b]

The mainboards DAC ist good enough, about 90dB SINAD, on my board I have measured 1.8Vrms output level unloaded, so the voltage is decent too. The high output impedance of 80ohms just doesn't enable it to provide decent current to drive many less sensitive headphones.
The L30 however will, and therefor new headphones would be the most sensible thing for you to get in addition to that.