Hi everyone 
This is my first post here. Yes I did my research
In short, I'd like to know which dac/amp to choose for home and transportable use. "Oh nooo not another one like that". Boring and repetitive, isn't it?
Maybe my longer version of the question will be more engaging. Also, I would like this post to be a general reference (not just for my specific case) for all the newbies like me out there (bold, right?).
I'll try to make it quick to read though, so my apologies in advance for any info that I may skip.
In my reading, I noticed there are two big teams:
- those who listen to a product and manage to write several pages of review based on their sound analysis and memory of past products.
- those who measure products and believe in the scientific method (blind testing, measurements, repeatability...).
My lack of experience in audio products (= I have not listened to many different products) and my scientific background makes me lean towards the second group.
In that group, the general agreement is that:
- well-designed DACs do not colour the sound (frequency response is flat).
- modern solid state DACs, even cheap ones that are flawd, are good enough for the DA conversion.
- amps are just "gain machines", they should not colour the sound.
- "A DAC/amp should be chosen for practicality and functions over sound" (quotes marks because I read something like that on this forum).
First question: then, can we assume that the main (or even only) "sound colouring machine" is the headphone/IEM/speaker?
Background:
Before reading/knowing that, I read tons of reviews online, rather naively.
I wished to replace my Fiio M11S DAP for a few reasons, although I like the product and its sound:
- Its Android version will never receive any update, including security ones.
- I already have Android on my smartphone.
- I use my smartphone on-the-go with a Fiio BTR15 dongle (either USB or bluetooth).
- So I download albums (Deezer) both on my smartphone and my DAP: it's inefficient.
- I like the modularity of a source (smartphone...) and a DAC/amp: changing one piece of the kit is easy (and possible).
What did I do?
I bought a Chord Mojo 2 (399€ second-hand).
It's great, tiny, well-made, robust, quite easy to use, the EQ fits my bill...
But I don't hear any difference from any of other gear (FYI I tested that by plugging my headphones in all my DAC/amps, ajusted the volume while measuring the dB on a sound meter, then tested the same song various times on each product).
Are they all the same sound quality wise? Are my ears defective? Who whill know...
I think about returning it.
What do I want?
1. I'd like to leave my headphone plugged in my DAC/amp.
2. Good sound (duh...): I listen to a lot of jazz and flamenco guitar (+ various genres from rap to soul, solo piano, some classical music...). I like my sound in a sort of V-shaped FR, though I really like trebles, the sound of a cymbal flying over the double-bass deep but precise's sound.
3. (trans-) Portability: I listen to music while around the house (sofa, bed, garden...), at hotels, at friends', on the train... For that, size and weight is not an issue. When listening to music while walking and at work, my Fiio BTR15 is great on-the-go and I know I don't need hi-end quality sound while out and about. Leaving the DAC/amp plugged on the mains in desktop mode is interesting as I see it as a way to make a battery live longer.
4. Keep my current headphones (Hifiman Ananda).
What's my current gear?
- Sources: Fiio M11s, smartphone, iPad.
- DAC/amp: Fiio M11s, Chord Mojo 2, Fiio BTR15.
- Head gear: Hifiman Ananda, iBasso IT01s IEM (I'd like to buy CIEMs for my small ear canals, but that's another story).
Other specific questions:
a. The Fiio Q15 that can be switch to desktop mode, bypassing the battery (Fiio measurements here). Would the Fiio Q15's desktop mode make it better than in portable mode?
b. Should I keep my Fiio BTR15, because that's well enough for my kit, and I won't get more out of any more expensive DAC/amp?
Final question: when is a dac/amp enough for one's use?
If you reached the end: thanks for reading!
And thanks for those who will share some insights.
This is my first post here. Yes I did my research
In short, I'd like to know which dac/amp to choose for home and transportable use. "Oh nooo not another one like that". Boring and repetitive, isn't it?
Maybe my longer version of the question will be more engaging. Also, I would like this post to be a general reference (not just for my specific case) for all the newbies like me out there (bold, right?).
I'll try to make it quick to read though, so my apologies in advance for any info that I may skip.
In my reading, I noticed there are two big teams:
- those who listen to a product and manage to write several pages of review based on their sound analysis and memory of past products.
- those who measure products and believe in the scientific method (blind testing, measurements, repeatability...).
My lack of experience in audio products (= I have not listened to many different products) and my scientific background makes me lean towards the second group.
In that group, the general agreement is that:
- well-designed DACs do not colour the sound (frequency response is flat).
- modern solid state DACs, even cheap ones that are flawd, are good enough for the DA conversion.
- amps are just "gain machines", they should not colour the sound.
- "A DAC/amp should be chosen for practicality and functions over sound" (quotes marks because I read something like that on this forum).
First question: then, can we assume that the main (or even only) "sound colouring machine" is the headphone/IEM/speaker?
Background:
Before reading/knowing that, I read tons of reviews online, rather naively.
I wished to replace my Fiio M11S DAP for a few reasons, although I like the product and its sound:
- Its Android version will never receive any update, including security ones.
- I already have Android on my smartphone.
- I use my smartphone on-the-go with a Fiio BTR15 dongle (either USB or bluetooth).
- So I download albums (Deezer) both on my smartphone and my DAP: it's inefficient.
- I like the modularity of a source (smartphone...) and a DAC/amp: changing one piece of the kit is easy (and possible).
What did I do?
I bought a Chord Mojo 2 (399€ second-hand).
It's great, tiny, well-made, robust, quite easy to use, the EQ fits my bill...
But I don't hear any difference from any of other gear (FYI I tested that by plugging my headphones in all my DAC/amps, ajusted the volume while measuring the dB on a sound meter, then tested the same song various times on each product).
Are they all the same sound quality wise? Are my ears defective? Who whill know...
I think about returning it.
What do I want?
1. I'd like to leave my headphone plugged in my DAC/amp.
2. Good sound (duh...): I listen to a lot of jazz and flamenco guitar (+ various genres from rap to soul, solo piano, some classical music...). I like my sound in a sort of V-shaped FR, though I really like trebles, the sound of a cymbal flying over the double-bass deep but precise's sound.
3. (trans-) Portability: I listen to music while around the house (sofa, bed, garden...), at hotels, at friends', on the train... For that, size and weight is not an issue. When listening to music while walking and at work, my Fiio BTR15 is great on-the-go and I know I don't need hi-end quality sound while out and about. Leaving the DAC/amp plugged on the mains in desktop mode is interesting as I see it as a way to make a battery live longer.
4. Keep my current headphones (Hifiman Ananda).
What's my current gear?
- Sources: Fiio M11s, smartphone, iPad.
- DAC/amp: Fiio M11s, Chord Mojo 2, Fiio BTR15.
- Head gear: Hifiman Ananda, iBasso IT01s IEM (I'd like to buy CIEMs for my small ear canals, but that's another story).
Other specific questions:
a. The Fiio Q15 that can be switch to desktop mode, bypassing the battery (Fiio measurements here). Would the Fiio Q15's desktop mode make it better than in portable mode?
b. Should I keep my Fiio BTR15, because that's well enough for my kit, and I won't get more out of any more expensive DAC/amp?
Final question: when is a dac/amp enough for one's use?
If you reached the end: thanks for reading!
And thanks for those who will share some insights.
