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Wiim ultra : DAC good enough to play with the noire X / E3 ?
- Thread starter Gloum
- Start date
The DAC won't talk to the headphones. The headpohone amp will. As the A8 doesn't even have one, I guess you are going to an external box?
I don't think there will be a difference to be heard between what these two DACs send over to the amp.
I don't think there will be a difference to be heard between what these two DACs send over to the amp.
I don't. Make sure to read reviews and measurements before spending 1.4k on a headphone amp. I can only guess it will meet the requirements of these headphones. Would be shame if not.
Personally I use the headphone amp of a SMSL DO400 on my desk a lot. And a mobile player with good capabilities.
A comparison with headphones between a competent amp and this Violectric box would interest me, but I don't think there is a big difference. Same as with speakers, the headphone itself will make the biggest difference by far. As long as the amp is suitable, no crap and operating within it's designed limits.
Personally I use the headphone amp of a SMSL DO400 on my desk a lot. And a mobile player with good capabilities.
A comparison with headphones between a competent amp and this Violectric box would interest me, but I don't think there is a big difference. Same as with speakers, the headphone itself will make the biggest difference by far. As long as the amp is suitable, no crap and operating within it's designed limits.
There are plenty of possibilities. Look at the sensitivity, impedance and power requirements of your headphones. And mind your required cabling options.
You will also see that the Noire X and E3 are quite differerent. The E3 is less sensitive and has more than double the impedance. It will need 2-times+ the power from the headphone amp to get just as loud.
You will also see that the Noire X and E3 are quite differerent. The E3 is less sensitive and has more than double the impedance. It will need 2-times+ the power from the headphone amp to get just as loud.
- Thread Starter
- #9
Yea i m trying to not get bambloozed!
I live in a country where i cant try audio gear, can only order online.
I m looking at the he1000 stealth, any thoughts abt that one?
I listen to fast bpm songs (hi tek for example) and like bass.
I have a 2000e budget for the HP i can stretch toe 2500e if worth it.
Thanks for any input!
I can't really help - 'phones are personal and a set of 'phones that measure well on the "standard ear" may sound weird on you own ears.
I have 2 IEMs and a set of over-ears which all sound fine/good enough to me, and I don't bother with EQ (which is ASR heresy) as for me it's going down a rat-hole of endless fiddling about. All I can say is to buy from someone with a no-quibble returns policy if possible. On the other hand, most people are happy with the 'phones they buy without any real AB comparisons, so long as they read that phones were 'good'!
I have 2 IEMs and a set of over-ears which all sound fine/good enough to me, and I don't bother with EQ (which is ASR heresy) as for me it's going down a rat-hole of endless fiddling about. All I can say is to buy from someone with a no-quibble returns policy if possible. On the other hand, most people are happy with the 'phones they buy without any real AB comparisons, so long as they read that phones were 'good'!
Have fun with that sizeable budget. Lots of nice choices possible.
Can you order online and easily return? I once talked to a headphone dealer and set something up with him. He would send me the models of my interest, I would make sure everything gets handled properly and returned in pristine condition, in the end I would buy from him. That worked out for both of us. Maybe you have a dealer where you browse already.
Your budget and research should go into the headphone that will please you obviously. I have no doubt you will find a suitable amp (DAC, external, mobile) for much less.
Everybody's head is different, so take this with a grain of salt. For me, the E3 is almost perfect. Just a tiny bit too ear-gainy and a tad trebly on some recordings. Easy to fix with EQ, though, and then it's all the headphone I could ever want. Pricey, though, and not necessarily worth it over the Sennheiser HD480 Pro + EQ, which gets me 95% of the way there. The latter is also easier to drive, with a Quedlix 5K on balanced connection good enough, while the E3 needs an amp. The Violectric is overkill though, unless you really want the build quality and the nice big volume knob. I would choose something with integrated EQ.
- Thread Starter
- #17
Thanks for the replies folks.
For an E3 would you say the topping a70 is a good match? From the a70 thread it seems some units are defective?
Integrated EQ for the amp? Could the EQ of the wiim ultra work for the e3?
Any model to recommend with an EQ? I'm all ears.
Thanks!
For an E3 would you say the topping a70 is a good match? From the a70 thread it seems some units are defective?
Integrated EQ for the amp? Could the EQ of the wiim ultra work for the e3?
Any model to recommend with an EQ? I'm all ears.
Thanks!
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
Topping DX5II also has built-in EQ but apparently some defective units there too.
What I say about defects is: The defect rate is not very important. All products have some defects and it's very hard to predict in advance if you're likely to experience a failure. What matters is how the company deals with defects. Unfortunately I don't know that it is very easy to get service from Topping in the US but your country might be easier.
Most topping amps are good performance-wise, you can also look at JDS Element IV which has 12-band EQ on board.
What I read about problems with Topping keeps me from buying from them. If it were a little heightened hardware defect rate and proper service handling, I wouldn't consider it an issue. But when I read along the release of the DX1 II it tells me, this is bananaware (grows while already at the customer). Not something I'd do with audio electronics. But in reality, when looking at established and somewhat bug-free models, I wouldn't expect problems. Topping is one of the big brands. If they produce(d) problems you will read about it a lot on the forums. That can give a false overall impression. It's not that every third box from them has a problem or so.
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