Worth a read if you wanna know about DSD more.
http://www.ayre.com/insights_dsdvspcm.htm

M50x is not picky at all and easily to get driven well, JDS Labs C5D is a good choice.
Bro, why not the UD110 then?
I used to use the iBasso D-ZERO that way

This post has been edited by psychoactive: Jun 24 2014, 03:16 PM

Double DAC is not valid lol. you couldn't bypass the internal amp in your handphone but you can bypass both by using usb otg level DAC.
That's why you looking for DAC like UD110.. they receive digital data instead of analog line stage output.
Meanwhile, can take a look on HifimeDIY Android DAC... I think they sell it on their website.

LINK

FiiO E17 > E07, hands down.
Better bass impact, treble response, cleaner background and more detailed.
From all the aspects the E17 is better than the E07, unless you need the dual headphone out.

Even at some point, you could buy an E09k desktop amp as an upgrade, E17 can placed on the dock on it.

This post has been edited by psychoactive: Jun 24 2014, 05:32 PM

I suppose you're saying you wanna use a DAC from ipod? (Digital data out stream)
You have only two options, get the Fostex HP-P1 or Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Solo -dB.
They are not cheap tho and the latter can only used with an amp since it only has dac line stage out. An alternative would be getting a LOD (line out dock) cable to use with your amp.

Aune T1 is a good purchase based on your budget, plus you could tube roll later on according to your preference.
Another one would be Fiio E17.
I personally do not recommend NuForce dacs.

Amp with bass boost or EQ-able Amp. May i know your budget?

This post has been edited by psychoactive: Jul 24 2014, 02:12 AM

Enjoy the Aune T1, get to try the globe amperex/mullard if you could
or even the rares... like telefunken

This post has been edited by psychoactive: Jul 24 2014, 05:01 PM

What model of M2Tech you're referring to? I suppose it's the HiFace dac. Do you need the 32/384? Consider the price of HiFace is higher than the Dragonfly.
From my verdict, Audioquest Dragonfly sounds more flatter and balanced compared to HiFace, which sounds slightly bright and thin on the high and resulting in much open sound, but slightly recessed. But, isn't you need a line level DAC? I mean you're connecting it to your Pre-amp. If you need a line level DAC, i suggest you to get the ODAC.
I'm a huge fan of ESS Sabre, it makes me to be much preferred to pick up the Dragonfly.

and.. Chord Hugo is not for us mere mortals listener

Bugle boy is slightly half step down from the Globe... if not on-par Highly depends on one's preference.

Dropped you a pm

Budget bro? Never tell your budget, later people will ask you to get something like Chord Hugo...

Portable as in carry-able size or the one you can leave it in your pocket?
Anyway, for below RM400 and from your setup, I recommend you get the Fiio E07k.

Not sure if your smartphone support usb level audio out or not..

E18 is RM5xx

Sleep with your burger friend for 2.5month only RM400? lol.
I couldn't agree more, for that price its a little bit out of few best options. E18 is indeed good for pc and smartphone. But I doubt nexus 4 support usb audio natively. My nexus 7 was in the situation too, until I flashed custom rom then everything is fine since then. (CM11-based)

It's the kernel level that disables it, especially for Nexus devices.. In my case, my Nexus 7 running KitKat 4.4.4 wasn't able to work with usb audio. I had to flash another cm-based custom rom in order to make them work.

Considered as one of the best bang for bucks
But are you trying to connect the amp with your laptop audio/headphone out? Double amplification isn't good. Try to get a DAC/AMP combo instead, like the E07k/E10k/E17.

This post has been edited by psychoactive: Aug 18 2014, 02:08 PM

Before a DAC (sound chip) could send the analog sound waves to your headphone, it need to be crossed the amp section. In which case, yes as you have said it, your laptop amp -> E11k = double amplification.
Double amplification will result in amplifying noises and increasing distortion.
If you get a external usb DAC/AMP, it will bypass your laptop's DAC. Additionally you get better fidelity with most of the external DAC.

This post has been edited by psychoactive: Aug 18 2014, 04:50 PM

What do you mean by problem caused by increasing volume in media player?
Usually we are maxed up all the volume control within the player/system, to avoid data clipping to decrease the quality, Alternatively the better way is to use media player like foobar2000 and use ASIO/Wasapi to completely avoid the situation.
Only adjust the volume level on your AMP.

Indeed, cannot imagine amplifying garbage... LOL

For the budget users, indeed they are.

Your sound preference? You can get a desktop DAC/AMP unit, maybe you can leave your shonyun to do portable jobs

Rarely I have came across with "bassy" dac.
Anyway for around 1000,
DAC only - Schiit Bifrost, Audio-GD NFB 2.32
DAC/AMP - Audio-GD NFB 11.32, O2ODAC Combo

Ok... for me (subjective), i will buy DAC/AMP instead. I always prefer a headphone output from my dac/amp. It also makes me having less hassle to try on every DAC and AMP and to see which pair has the synergy to work together well. Unless you get a selective DAC unit and AMP from within the same manufacturer, that way usually they could pair up well.
Usually in the higher end, a DAC/AMP is pretty superior and only what constrains it its the amp, with that case, just upgrade by getting another AMP.

I do not suggest double amping at all cost. (pairing the output from your laptop to your headphone)
Yes.. it may as you think that, you could add more "juice"... but think of this, what happen if you add in a bad signal and amplify it? It doesn't correct it. In another sense, it simply takes all the noises/distortions and boost them.
I suggest you save up a little bit more, look into something like Fiio E07K/E10K which consists of DAC + AMP for your juice-needed headphone

Thanks for the clarification, indeed that's the idea i was going to give.

Look into used unit of E07k around i suppose. Or even better if you can get yourself a iBasso D-ZERO. (both are around 2xx for used unit)

Even listening to SRH440 via my Nexus 7 can drive it to around 70-80% performance. Are you sure you are fond of the SRH440? or you blindly bought it?
Nonetheless, get a Line Out Dock for your Ipod, combo with a Fiio E6. Tada, cheap and good with plenty of power.

I recommend Aune T1 DAC/AMP. Very clean output and good SQ even with stock tube. You can even upgrade the tube to improve the SQ.
Can drive HD681 EVO easily. Can even drive my hard to drive headphone with ease.


Aune T1 is right in your budget but not the O2+ODAC combo. The O2+ODAC costs a lot more..
From my experience,
The Aune T1 can drive the your DT880 with pretty plenty of power, pretty good sound and can further improve SQ by tube rolling, why not?
And also from another experience, I had been using the DT880 with E17 + E09k Combo, it drives well and sufficiently.

Around that price, if not cheaper.
E17+E09K works via transmitting the line stage level to the E09k from the DAC in E17. E09k is a standalone AMP doesn't consist any DAC.
E17 costs around 4xx and E09k is RM3xx.