Upgrade from HifiMan Sundara + Qudelix 5K

[staticV3]

I dear members,
Thank you for letting me back into the community.

I have just received my new Hifiman Arya Stealth.
Now I just need an amp/dac for my new headphone pearls.

Please let me know your thoughts of these two options below.
Both 2nd hand:

Topping L50
Topping E50
Price: 281 EUR

Mojo 2
Price: 381 EUR

IFi audio Gryphon
Price: 366 EUR

Thank you.

I would get the Topping stack.

It's the least expensive, the most upgradeable, has the most output power, and has the best haptics with sensible knobs and switches (as opposed to the Mojo's light-up-ball madness).

 

[Ole_S]

I would get the Topping stack.

It's the least expensive, the most upgradeable, has the most output power, and has the best haptics with sensible knobs and switches (as opposed to the Mojo's light-up-ball madness).

But mojo 2 is a way better dac.
But the amp is a little weak. I know.

But Arya Stealth is not hard to drive. Mojo 2 can drive the these headphones.

If you mean that the Topping dac is better than Mojo 2, please explain why and how.

Thank you.

 

[Ole_S]

Schitt is also a possibility.

Maybe:
Modius: 359 euro
Midgard: 359 euro

Very nice end game stack, I guess.?

 

[Jimbob54]

But mojo 2 is a way better dac.
But the amp is a little weak. I know.

But Arya Stealth is not hard to drive. Mojo 2 can drive the these headphones.

If you mean that the Topping dac is better than Mojo 2, please explain why and how.

Thank you.

He explained why HE would choose the topping stack.

This is why asking subjective opinions is pointless when you have the performance data.

 

[Ole_S]

He explained why HE would choose the topping stack.

This is why asking subjective opinions is pointless when you have the performance data.

You are right.
I was just curious why to choose Topping over Mojo 2, since Mojo has 2 better dac.

No doubt:
E50 + L50 is a descent beginner stack I guess.
Lots of power for low price.

Do any of you know how this stack sounds, sound signature wise?

Thank you.

 

[Mr Swing King]

I have yet to find anyone who can distinguish between two well-performing dacs when they can’t see what is playing. The same goes for amps. Dacs and amps do not have sound signatures if they’re properly made.

Ole I think you are suffering from something most of us have been through ie ‘audio nervosa’. I have been there myself which is why I went through an ocean of dacs and amps from Bricasti to Benchmark and Schiit to what I have now, my old cd player.
If you want subjective opinions gathered by folks who are allergic to measurements and blind testing, then I recommend Head-Fi.

I’m not sure where you are getting your information from, but trust me the Mojo isn’t audibly different to anything else that’s built properly. Speaking from a sheer performance pov, you’re going to find it hard topping anything that Topping has released during the last couple of years…yet it still won’t make an audible difference.

You are looking for sound quality in the wrong place. Where it matters is at the transducer end, the headphone. Equalising said headphone can also be a major step up in sound quality. Looking for better sound via a dac or amp is like fishing for sharks in the Sahara. Futile.

 

[staticV3]

But mojo 2 is a way better dac.

I was just curious why to choose Topping over Mojo 2, since Mojo has 2 better dac.

Does it? According to who? And in what way?

 

[Robbo99999]

I have yet to find anyone who can distinguish between two well-performing dacs when they can’t see what is playing. The same goes for amps. Dacs and amps do not have sound signatures if they’re properly made.

Ole I think you are suffering from something most of us have been through ie ‘audio nervosa’. I have been there myself which is why I went through an ocean of dacs and amps from Bricasti to Benchmark and Schiit to what I have now, my old cd player.
If you want subjective opinions gathered by folks who are allergic to measurements and blind testing, then I recommend Head-Fi.

I’m not sure where you are getting your information from, but trust me the Mojo isn’t audibly different to anything else that’s built properly. Speaking from a sheer performance pov, you’re going to find it hard topping anything that Topping has released during the last couple of years…yet it still won’t make an audible difference.

You are looking for sound quality in the wrong place. Where it matters is at the transducer end, the headphone. Equalising said headphone can also be a major step up in sound quality. Looking for better sound via a dac or amp is like fishing for sharks in the Sahara. Futile.

@Ole_S , listen to this post I'm quoting, just get the Topping stack and forget about DACs/amps, as long as they measure well then there's no difference in sound quality, so you may as well save some money and get the Topping stack you mentioned - you could probably even get a better value DAC/amp that still measures well to save you even more money, but out of the ones you've listed then get the Topping stack.

 

[Ole_S]

Does it? According to who? And in what way?

According to several persons on different Facebook group.
I am not saying that you are wrong.

If you have any better recommendations than Topping E50 + L50, please let me know.
I am receptive to all good advice and input/recommendations for my new Hifiman Arya Stealth.

Since I am totally newbie to this world, I cannot use my subjective opinion.
I can only relay on persons who has better knowledge and experience than me.

And I am pretty sure that your knowledge and experience are way better than mine

 

[Ole_S]

@Ole_S , listen to this post I'm quoting, just get the Topping stack and forget about DACs/amps, as long as they measure well then there's no difference in sound quality, so you may as well save some money and get the Topping stack you mentioned - you could probably even get a better value DAC/amp that still measures well to save you even more money, but out of the ones you've listed then get the Topping stack.

Hi Robbo,

Very useful feedback, thank you.

"You could probably even get a better value DAC/amp that still measures well to save you even more money, but out of the ones you've listed then get the Topping stack."

If you know any better stacks for my Hifiman Arya Stealth, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Stacks with better measures and lesser price.

I just found reviews of both L50 + E50 on this website.
And both devices did measure very well. And get great recommendations

Best regards,
Ole

 

[Robbo99999]

I dear members,
Thank you for letting me back into the community.

I have just received my new Hifiman Arya Stealth.
Now I just need an amp/dac for my new headphone pearls.

Please let me know your thoughts of these two options below.
Both 2nd hand:

Topping L50
Topping E50
Price: 281 EUR

Mojo 2
Price: 381 EUR

IFi audio Gryphon
Price: 366 EUR

Thank you.

Maybe you could kill two birds with one stone and get a DAC/amp that is one unit (not two seperate units) & is also portable so you can use it with your phone when you're on the go, or you can use it connected to your desktop PC and it's only $70:

TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro portable DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $70. I really like the fresh look of the BHD. There is a red LED that lights up the tiny ICs in there, giving it some elegance. There...

www.audiosciencereview.com

You probably don't need anything better than that.

I spent about 5-10mins going through a few reviews here on ASR and that's my recommendation for an inexpensive but versatile one (portable too), and it measures great too. You might be able to find something even more suitable to your situation, but in reality you probably don't need to spend anymore than this $70.

 

[Ole_S]

Hi guys,

How about the new Topping D50 III + related amp?
The new dac seems nice with build-in EQ.

Topping D50 III w. EQ

This stack seems to be nice and "future proof"
Topping A50 III DAC + A50 III

Thank you.

 

[Ole_S]

Maybe you could kill two birds with one stone and get a DAC/amp that is one unit (not two seperate units) & is also portable so you can use it with your phone when you're on the go, or you can use it connected to your desktop PC and it's only $70:

TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro portable DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $70. I really like the fresh look of the BHD. There is a red LED that lights up the tiny ICs in there, giving it some elegance. There...

www.audiosciencereview.com

You probably don't need anything better than that.

I spent about 5-10mins going through a few reviews here on ASR and that's my recommendation for an inexpensive but versatile one (portable too), and it measures great too. You might be able to find something even more suitable to your situation, but in reality you probably don't need to spend anymore than this $70.

Hi

Thank you for replying.
Then I could use my Qudelix 5K, balanced too?

I might be asking stupidly:
But paying about 800 euro for a pair of headphones and combine it with an amp/dac (100 eur). I might do not understand how this can be a great match for my new Pearls, Hifiman Arya Stealth

 

[staticV3]

I might be asking stupidly:
But paying about 800 euro for a pair of headphones and combine it with an amp/dac (100 eur). I might do not understand how this can be a great match for my new Pearls, Hifiman Arya Stealth

In audio, price ≠ quality. Quality = quality.

The Qudelix is a quality DAC+Amp.

Furthermore, your Arya is a very easy headphone to drive, so there's no reason why the Qudelix wouldn't extract the full performance from it.

 

[Ole_S]

In audio, price ≠ quality. Quality = quality.

The Qudelix is a quality DAC+Amp.

Furthermore, your Arya is a very easy headphone to drive, so there's no reason why the Qudelix wouldn't extract the full performance from it.

Hi Static,

Thank you very much.
I am gonna order this small stack, and use my Qudelix 5K for travel and bluetooth.

Pack Topping E50 Balanced DAC + L50 Balanced Headphone Amplifier + TCT1 Jack 6.35mm Cables Black - Audiophonics

This Topping pack is composed of a balanced DAC E50, a balanced headphone amplifier L50 and cables Jack 6.35mm TCT1 allowing the connection of both devices. This set will allow you to take advantage of a headphone amplification system.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[Robbo99999]

Hi

Thank you for replying.
Then I could use my Qudelix 5K, balanced too?

I might be asking stupidly:
But paying about 800 euro for a pair of headphones and combine it with an amp/dac (100 eur). I might do not understand how this can be a great match for my new Pearls, Hifiman Arya Stealth

Oh yeah, you've already got the Quidelix 5K, well in that case you don't even need the E50 & L50!

EDIT: but yeah, you had troubles with it on your Mac when I look back at your posts. Whatever, E50 & L50 is fine for your pearls!