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USB and SPDIF input, but OK if just optical and RCA SPDIF.
Can drive $1000 cans with ease?
Follow Ups:
The Audiogd NFB-28 powers the Audeze with ease, however I ended up sending the Audeze back in favor for a pair of HiFi Man cans.
HeadFi thread here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/676930/audio-gd-nfb-28
My mini review here: https://sites.google.com/site/computeraudioorg/home/mini-reviews
Dynobots Audio
Music is the Bridge between Heaven and Earth - 音楽は天国と地球のかけ橋
If you regard $1800-1900 is still approximately $1000, don't forget to check this out...Grace Design M920
But what is the difference between the Grace 902 and the 920.
I don't need the extended DAC, no DSD, just 16/44.1 and 24/96.
Most reviews of the 902 seem to give it high marks for not being 'edgy'.
Are the headphone amps the same in the two models? Are those Senn. HD-800's in the picture(or 700's)?
I don't have M902 for direct comparison unfortunately.Frankly, I was bit surprised with its headphone output driving my HD700. The volume knob seldom exceeds 75 (99 max) with USB input from my PC. I like the crossfeed function which makes my long listening sessions more engaging with less fatigue.
YMMV, however, as you know it all depends on system synergy and matching.
I believe you still have a couple of choice within your budget.Maybe I should write up an individual review on M920....
Best regards
Dan
Edits: 06/09/15 06/09/15 06/10/15
The m902 is two generations back from today, but it is a made-in-USA, pro unit.
Its amplifier module can drive 2 miles of telephone wire.
There's an m902 on eBay for $848/free shipping (photo). I have no idea who the seller is; look at his feedback, etc.
Research my Grace reviews on Stereophile. And research Grace on the headphone forums, everywhere.
Sam Tellig also said nice things.
Former RCL Class A.
Replaced by later units.
JM
As all it will ever be used for is as a SPDIF input DAC/Headphone Amp driven by a Wyred4Sound modded SONOS Connect(96K up-sampled) as well as a driven by a CD transport.
If it can drive Planar Magnetic Headphones (Audize), which I hope to own someday, I'm done here.
Thanks again.
I have the Teac UD-301 and have compared it to a lot of highly regarded DACs up to $1500. You can get this DAC for $299 with Rebate now. I bought 2 of them for my Upstairs and Downstairs System. It has everything you are looking for and will save you a few Bucks. You can buy this from Crutchfield which has Stellar Customer Service and No questions asked returns for 60 days! Out of Stock Currently, but should have some within a week or two
Cut-Throat
You'll pay maybe two bucks more on Amazon but it looks legit and with the rebate offer, still a great value.
But with only 100mw + 100mw into 32 Ohms for the headphone out jack.
Pretty much limits me to my old standby, the Senn HD-600 at best. No Planar Magnetic cans need apply. :-(
I really like my Teac UD-301 DACs. I have had a lot of DACs through my house and this one stands up to them all! Great build quality and super features as well.
Crutchfield has earned my Patronage with Superb Customer Service. Even though Amazon would probably come through OK, I personally would wait for Crutchfield.
Cut-Throat
That's my primary use case, as a headphone amp.
I'll be using it for streaming Lossless FLAC to a SONOS Connect then to UD-301 via Coax and then cans.
Can't say as I never use headphones. Killer DAC though.
Cut-Throat
If a two box solution is ok. You can get a fully upgraded Bifrost and a Lyr or Valhalla amp depending on the needs of your cans.
Wyred for Sound has a dac/headphone amp coming out soon for $999.
Give them a call and ask where it is.
"A lie is half-way around the world before the truth can get its boots on."
-Mark Twain
I often use my Oppo HA-1 as my main DAC via USB to the Mac Mini and it also doubles as my headphone amp.Oppo HA-1 $1200 MSRP
Edits: 06/08/15
Looks like a pretty good deal as the headphone amp is head and shoulders spec-wise over similar all-in-one boxes such as the Marantz HD-DAC1 which in fairness is considerably less money.
OPPO is using it to sell their $1000 Planar Magnetic Headphones so they are likely not cutting too many corners on the headphone amp part.
If it stands tall next to the current crop of $1000 DAC's I might be in.
Plus, OPPO customer service has been exemplary up to this point and they are just down the road.
I switch back and forth between the Oppo and my PS Audio NuWave DAC. The Oppo is perhaps slightly more neutral and transparent while the NuWave is a little more robust sounding in the mids, but not by much. If you're looking for a warmer sounding setup I would say that the Oppo is not it. It really depends on what you need in your system. I use it mostly as a DAC for my main system but I do enjoy it now and then with the Grado RS1e.For the headphone output the Oppo has a High and Normal setting to accommodate a wide range of cans while giving you a broad range of control with the Volume knob. The remote is also pretty cool in that it not only controls the usual stuff like input selection and volume, it will also control iTunes and other players to Pause, Skip forward, Skip backward. It will drive an amp directly w/o a pre but I haven't tried it like that as I run mine into an integrated.
Do they offer a trial where you can borrow one for a few days and return it if it's not quite right for you?
I used to work in Mountain View not far from where Oppo is located.... but I don't think Oppo was around back in the 1990s! That Computer History Museum off 101 & Shoreline was my office for a while before it became a museum. Before that I worked further back on Shoreline a rock's throw and walking distance to the Shoreline Amphitheatre. Saw Grateful Dead there a few times and didn't have to deal with traffic.... just walked across the parking lot from my work.
Edits: 06/06/15 06/06/15
Just there a few months ago for an 'Open House' sponsored by a local Amateur Radio group. Neat place to visit
The OPPO seems to fit the bill of a better than average DAC plus a headphone amp that will handle difficult loads with plenty of poop to drive the current crop of planar headphones, like the Audeze LCD3.
To my mind, a $1000 DAC plus a $1000 Headphone amp for a bit more than $1000 and one that will take virtually any digital input or handle any analog output sounds like a winner to me.
I'm in the same situation, looking for something to use with Deezer and my laptop, the Woo Fireflies WA7 also comes quite recommended from what I read.
JB
Likely not even using a laptop.
Just a modified SONOS Connect, and a headphone amp/DAC and cans in my easy chair.
IF that sounds better than going from a laptop to the DAC via USB.
Well keep me posted on the results. My DT880 will thank you :)
Headphone/Amp/DAC matching is a black art. It would appear from the reviews that the OPPO HA-1 is designed with Planar Magnetic cans in mind. This is a HUGE plus as most DAC/Head Amp combos are weak on the head amp side. OTOH, decent headphone amps with build in DACs usually have bare-bones internal DACs. Even the Audeze Decard Amp/DAC is a USB only DAC.
While one reviewer claims a good match with the HD-650, he finds the amp way too clinical for the HD-800 even with balanced cables. He claims the HD-800 likes tubes.
Looking to own a set of Audeze LCD-3 one day, should my ship ever decide to come in. Till then I'm stuck with the Senn. HD-600 which has served me well for a decade.
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