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USB DAC + amp upgrade from Essence ST

post #1 of 15
8/11/12 at 9:20pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, I sold my Essence ST at the beginning of the summer, and am now in the market to purchase an external USB DAC and amplifier for my Klipsch 2.1 Promedias and HD650s.

I've looked at the Fiio E17/E9 combo, Little Dot amps, and the Objective2 amp; but I'm pretty lost as far as where I should be putting my chips in regard to an upgrade from the essence. I'd want to keep the combined cost of the amp + DAC under $300, and I need it to be compatible with OSX. Any suggestions would be fantastic.
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post #2 of 15
8/12/12 at 9:01pm
Del.
Edited by Triangle - 9/12/12 at 9:11pm
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post #3 of 15
8/12/12 at 9:45pm
ODAC+O2 amp is 300 from JDS Labs.

Under 150 if you build it yourself.
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post #4 of 15
8/12/12 at 9:52pm
I second the ODAC+O2 biggrin.gif. Recently got it a month ago and its real nice, not to mention I can use the amp with my ps3 xD
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post #5 of 15
8/21/12 at 7:51pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry for the long reply, I just got back home.

A few questions/comments.

The ODAC/O2 combo looks fantastic, but it only has a single output for headphones cutting my desktop speakers out of the question (how could I keep them in?) and a 3.5mm jack requiring me to purchase an 1/4 adapter. Any thoughts?

Also, what about the Schiit Asgard amp paired with the ODAC?
Edited by Higgins - 8/22/12 at 9:07am
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post #6 of 15
8/22/12 at 3:30pm
You could look around for a used Grant Fidelity TubeDac-11. They usually go for under 300 used.
http://stereomojo.com/Grant%20Audio%20Tube%20DAC11.htm/GrantAudioTubeDAC11.htm
Oh and a Head-fi Review: http://www.head-fi.org/t/603086/review-grant-fidelity-tubedac-11

Edited by SlyFox - 8/22/12 at 3:50pm
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post #7 of 15
8/22/12 at 11:31pm
Tube Dac..y'mean a tube based DAC? That;'s asking for a TON of tourble.
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post #8 of 15
8/22/12 at 11:38pm
Audio-GD NFB12 is a good dac amp, it has RCA which can be set to either fixed out or Variable. As well USB, Optical and Coxial inputs on its rear. It will have no problems handing your HD650s. If your lucky you can get one used from head-fi Like I did for 150-160. But normally it cost $215 from audio-GD.com. Not including the shipping.

Theirs a Switch on the front which let you change it from headphone out, To RCA(Fixed) or RCA(variable), Then it has another switch for USB,Optical and Spiff. Then on the newer model that's on the site. It has two buttons on the front to change the Digital Filter settings and each one has a different sound signature. Also the headphone amp switches is on the front as well for changing the settings from low to high.. But you most likely see the model which doesn't have the digital filter switches and uses the jumpers on sell on their sell section.

But yea it will let you use it with your console, you comp and any thing else, It USB input works with windows 8 as well as Linux distro's and mac.

I had mine for two weeks and its a really good dac amp, I changed from a Xonar STX my self when I move to this External setup.
Edited by admflameberg - 8/22/12 at 11:45pm
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post #9 of 15
8/23/12 at 12:26am
Thread Starter 
I'm thinking of pairing an ODAC with a Schiit Asguard on headfi for $200ish. Found a deal on a nuforce hdp, but doesn't exactly have a ton of power to drive the 650s.
Edited by Higgins - 8/23/12 at 1:04am
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post #10 of 15
8/23/12 at 3:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chinesekiwi View Post

Tube Dac..y'mean a tube based DAC? That;'s asking for a TON of tourble.
How?
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