I am looking for a DAC/AMP setup for my desktop, and my budget is essentially $1500. The lowest impedance headphones I would be using are 32 ohm so the DX3/DX7 pro are unfortunately out. Not a fan of the styling of the M500.
The A90/D90 stack and the RME ADI-2FS both have caught my eye. From all the reviews I have read, the A90/D90 stack measures much better, but the measured difference between the Topping stack and the RME unit are not audible. The A90 can put out double the power, but into into 32 ohms that's 3.3W vs. 1.5W -- do any headphones really need that much power?
I'm just confused because the RME seems like the no brainier. But the Topping stack is hugely popular. Please educate me!
EDIT1: Bluetooth input is important to me, but the cost of a Bluetooth->SPDIF converter with the RME unit is below the cost of the topping stack. But it unfortunately does eliminate the advantage of just 1 box.
EDIT2: Bonus question. I have the chance to pick up a really nice condition Demo unit of the ADI-2 Pro for about $100 more than the ADI-2FS. Is there any reason to consider this?
The A90/D90 stack and the RME ADI-2FS both have caught my eye. From all the reviews I have read, the A90/D90 stack measures much better, but the measured difference between the Topping stack and the RME unit are not audible. The A90 can put out double the power, but into into 32 ohms that's 3.3W vs. 1.5W -- do any headphones really need that much power?
I'm just confused because the RME seems like the no brainier. But the Topping stack is hugely popular. Please educate me!
EDIT1: Bluetooth input is important to me, but the cost of a Bluetooth->SPDIF converter with the RME unit is below the cost of the topping stack. But it unfortunately does eliminate the advantage of just 1 box.
EDIT2: Bonus question. I have the chance to pick up a really nice condition Demo unit of the ADI-2 Pro for about $100 more than the ADI-2FS. Is there any reason to consider this?
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