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My office system has a PS Audio NU Wave dac. Love it to death, sounds great.
I was thinking it would be fun to listen to headphones in here sometime.
Anyone recommend a comparable quality dac with a headphone jack?
I thought about doing a little usb/dac/headphone thing but the one I tried didn't work and I think having two dacs might be a PITA.
Price around a grand or so? Any suggestions?
"We are all in God's hands... and God is a malign thug."
-Mark Twain
Follow Ups:
I use the headphone output on my CA DACMagic+
Might not be up to YOUR standards, but given my very modest use of this feature, I'm quite satisfied.
The guys who review stuff were happy, too, and reported that the DM+ would drive most of the headphones they were interested in regardless of impedance.
Too much is never enough
Choice depends on how much digital format horse-power you want.
Observe, before you think. Think before you open your yap. Act on the basis of experience.
I'm going to try the new Marantz, just ordered one from Underwood Wally, s/b here next week.
I've read the single 'mini-plug only' analog input on this isn't that good but since I'll be using this in my PC setup that doesn't much matter to me.
If I like it I may write an online review for one of the headphone sites.
"We are all in God's hands... and God is a malign thug."
-Mark Twain
Uses some of the same circuitry in their reference series streamer which i also have and love.
I think you will not be disappointed.
navman
Slimmed down version of which streamer?
I have a Marantz NA-7004 in my main system, it's been upgraded to run AirPlay.
Is it as good or better as I only paid $399 for the BA-7004 which is a pretty good deal.
It has the same processor at the NA7005. Also has the HDAM and HDAM SA2 stages. I thought was similar to the NA!!s1, but I think I was mistaken about that.
navman
I've seen that one in the Music Direct catalog. Curious how it sounds so please let us know what you think. Enjoy!
... The Parasound Zdac v.2 DAC/Headphone Amp. Under $600 but sound like it costs may times that amount. See my review on my Facebook page: John Crossett - Audio Writer.
Just my (adjusted for inflation) $2
John Crossett
___
It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying.
either as a DAC or as a Headphone amp or both. A little more than your price point but worth every penny.....
I may try one of these when I get home from the winter destination. I assume you bought yours from Grant Audio. As I understand they don't offer returns, but there are sellers from Hong Kong that do offer returns. I have bought stuff from Grant and their 'No return' Policy 'Puts me off'.I have tried a lot of DACs and most I want to return after trying them out for a few days. Not because they are bad, but because they are no better than what I am currently using mostly. Some because their 'user interface' is clumsy etc.... I think I own about 4 DACs now, so I probably don't need one. But if it is as good as you say it is, I'd like to buy one and keep it.
So I am thinking of getting one from a company that offers returns. What are your thoughts on this approach? IOW - Why not buy this unit from someone other than Grant?
Cut-Throat
Edits: 02/23/15
because I did not look at HK dealers. If you only plan on listening for a few days forget it. Like I said, 20 hours to get smooth and 70 to hit the sweet spot....there was a small gain in SQ past 70. By 50 hours though I had a good idea where it was going...
I am not a Big Believer in 'Break-In', as it always seems to 'get better'. IOW -- The listener is breaking in IMHO.
With that said, I can easily take your 70 hours and hook up the DAC and my system and let it play for 3 days which is 72 hours and even though I am not in the room actually listening, I would assume the 'Break-In' is still occurring? The Hong Kong Shippers have a 14 day return policy, so this could be easily achievable. I could turn the unit on and stream music to it. Would the Amps even have to be on to accomplish 'Break-In'? Would I even have to be streaming Music for 'Break-In' to occur? Otherwise, I could just turn the unit on and 'Let it sit there' powered up for 3 days. I will do what ever you suggest.
A lot of the DACs I have had, the User Interface is what turned me off enough to return the Unit. This I can differentiate within a half hour.
So, do you think I should order this DAC from Hong Kong for a 'Test Drive'? I am not going to use Grant as they don't offer a 'Test Drive'. I have bought products from Grant and they ship them to me, but once they hit the mail, you are 'On your Own'. I have one of their first DACs a 09 something or other.
Cut-Throat
I noticed the difference while actually listening to the unit playing music. I cannot advise on any other option as I did not use any other option with the DAC. I am talking about the DAC on it's own. As for the headphone amp function, when I got the Yulong I also, about the same time, got new HD 600 headphones and an 18 foot cable from Cardas. Using the new headphones, cable and headphone amp function it sounded rough at first but eventually after many hours of listening it improved dramatically. How many hours? I do not know....maybe 20 albums, maybe 40....but improve it did. What part of that chain changed? How in the hell would I know??! But change it did.
So, my conclusion is that the DAC feature and the headphone feature break in independently of each other (not rocket science).
No, I do not think your amps need to be on. But if they are not you will not hear the transition from new to sweetness. Even though you deny it exists.
Have fun, relax and let your mind flow downstream.....
Well, after it 'Broke In' I would certainly listen to it.What I want to do is A/B with my current DAC....If it sounds better, I'll keep it. Simple as that. I won't use the headphone Jack at all. Don't even own Headphones.
My other question. Is there some compelling reason to buy from Grant Audio, other than other Hong Kong Sellers?
Cut-Throat
Edits: 02/25/15
you will have a good amp for them. Enjoy ...
When does the 14 day trial start? Ordering date? Shipping Date? Date you sign (if you are required to) for the shipment.
What is the transit time? Mine was shipped to me from China, it took 5 days to arrive.
If the return clock starts when you order or it is shipped you will be at least 5 days (maybe more) into the return policy and if you return it there will go another 5 days (at least).
4 days to judge it?
Hmmmmm....
14 days from the date you sign for the Product.
Cut-Throat
thanks
Do you know what the output impedance is from the RCA Jacks ?
Cut-Throat
...
nt
Cut-Throat
email your China seller or Grants.
nt
Cut-Throat
what you find out...
nt
Cut-Throat
you...
Interesting review. I'm not that familiar with Yulong. The author project68 mentions toward the beginning of the review that some Yulong DACs are noticeably on the warm side. Toward the end of the review he claims to dislike the NuWave DAC because he finds it to be on the bright side. I own the Oppo HA-1 and the PS Audio NuWave and find the NuWave to be noticeably warmer than the Oppo. This review leads me to believe that project68 favors rather warm and smooth sounding DACs. Which is fine. I also had the Luxman DA-06 which is smooth and warm but it left me bored with a lot of music in that it seemed to lack dynamic drive and extension up top in the treble. I do enjoy a little 'warmth' but if the author of this review thinks the NuWave is bright, I'd bet that the Yulong maybe overly lush for my liking. Hard to say.
From the review:
The DAC feeds the VTL with a very nice top end, I do not find it overly warm, however that may be the VTL or the amps (B.E.L 1001-mono blocked) or the speakers.
Listening to 24/96 files upped (x2) from Audirvana Plus to 192 the highs seem as accurate as can be.
Using the headphone amp with HD600 I do get some more warmth and a very slight bit less treble.
However, the sound over all, either way, is very pleasing. Would I buy it again knowing how it sounds? In a heartbeat..
Thanks. I wouldn't mind trying one.... along with several others! There are so many great DAC choices these days in the $1000 +/- range.
I bought it based on that review. Since the only dealer was Grant in Canada. It arrived from China 5 days after I ordered it. The packaging was amazingly superb....took about 20 hours before the sound smoothed out and it continued to sweeten for another 50 hours. At almost the exact 70th hour it suddenly just blossomed and was done breaking in.
Listened to Eva Cassidy off the hard drive last night, in random shuffle mode and the differences in each albums recording quality and techniques was very very obvious.
I'm enjoying the Oppo HA-1 as my main DAC -and- headphone amp at the moment. When not being used to drive my amp, I string a 10-foot long headphone extension cable across the floor when listening through headphones.
I also own the PS Audio NuWave DAC. The Oppo is a slight bit less full-bodied and robust compared to the NWD as DACs go. The bass also seems a little heftier in the NWD but the Oppo still sounds excellent to me. It's a matter of personal taste.
It sounds great with headphones but to be honest, I have very little headphone experience and my Grado SR80's are the best I own. I hope to get a better pair (Grado or other brand) just to see if I'm missing out on much better sound.
Oppo HA-1 DAC / Headphone Amp
Perish the thought!
I have a Nuwave DAC I love as well.
For around $100 you can get a Schiit Magni or Vali headphone amp to use in conjunction with your PS Audio Nuwave.
Meat; It's the right thing to do. Romans 14:2
I do not do business with Schiit anymore. Their customer service is really, really bad.
And I'm looking for an dac/headphone amp one box solution.
Thinking of the new Marantz.
"We are all in God's hands... and God is a malign thug."
-Mark Twain
You might also look at Burson Conductor SLs, which are going for great prices atm. Have heard several flavours of this combo and it is very good indeed.
Best,
N
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