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In Reply to: RE: Comparing just the ModI USB DAC with the AudioEngine D1... posted by Ivan303 on March 29, 2013 at 18:25:16
Since the Audioengine D1 can't have its DAC and amp sections separated, there's no way to directly compare just the DAC part of it vs. the Modi DAC, using a common "headphone amp".
At the same time, it's interesting to note that both the Audioengine D1 and the Modi DAC use the same D/A chip: AKM4396. That said, given their different implementations, they do sound different, and my preference is clearly in favor of the Modi sound.
It should also be noted that for whatever reason(s) (perhaps something to do with the fact that the D1 is entirely USB powered--for both DAC and amp?), the D1 just didn't seem quite up to the task of adequately driving my HD600 headphones. The Modi/Magni combination suffers no such limitation. I suppose this alone could play a major role in determining one's perception of overall "quality of sound", but I'm sure there's also more to it than just that.
With just the $30 difference in cost of the basics (Audioengine D1 vs. Modi/Magni combination), it's a crystal clear "no brainer" in favor of the Modi/Magni combination -- certainly at least with my HD600 headphones.
With just my headphones as the common component in the comparison, the Audioengine D1 is two dimensional, rather lifeless, dynamically challenged, and congested/confused in "busy/complex" passages. Now imagine the opposite of that rather unhappy list, and you've got an idea of how the Modi/Magni combination compares. :)
Follow Ups:
Which sounds better going from the respective DAC RCA jack to the Magni to play the HD600s?
I went with the ByerDynamic DT-770 32 Ohm because the USB powered headphone amp section in D1 clearly isn't happy trying to drive the HD600's.
Just wondering how the two DACs compare with used with the better (Magni) headphone amp.
...and I'll get back to you on that particular comparison.
I performed the experiment, using the Audioengine D1 as just the DAC, and while the overall sound--and HD600 headphone handling--is indeed much better using the Schiit Magni amp, I still prefer the sound using the Schiit Modi DAC as well.
In addition to preferring the particular timbres and detail provided by the Modi DAC, the Audioengine DAC still gives me a feeling of "claustrophobia" -- like the sound is being "piped directly into my brain" as a two dimensional "wall of sound" rather than sound naturally occurring in an acoustic space , which is something the Modi DAC has provided as a very distinct and pleasant surprise (surprising to me anyway, as my usual experience with headphones has been disappointing in this regard). Using the Magni amp with the Audioengine DAC has helped some in this regard, but hasn't entirely eliminated the "problem", as I hear it.
My "quick and dirty" conclusion...
If you want to improve the overall sound and feeling of the Audioengine D1, the Schiit Magni amp does a nice job, though this brings the total cost up to $270 (plus an additional interconnect), yet still doesn't quite equal the overall quality of the Modi/Magni combination. I will say however, that the Audioengine D1 DAC section alone is less of a problem than the "headphone amp" section of the D1.
Additionally, perhaps with different headphones, that amp section may be less of a problem (in one or more ways), but I'd have to actually hear it to make up my mind. I do have a pair of tiny Sennheiser "in ear monitors", and while the Audioengine D1 does have a much easier time driving those than it does with my HD600, it's not exactly a fair comparison, and I still get that "wall of sound" feeling as opposed to the more natural "spaciousness" I feel with the Modi/Magni combination.
I took a bit different approach to solving the problem..
Low impedance cans designed for the meager output of the D1.
Seems to have worked, at least for me.
Thanks for the report.
I also prefer speaker listening over any headphone gear I've heard (but have not heard the Smyth Realizer yet). The Shiite products I've heard I liked and cost/performance puts Shiite in the lead pack. For my HD600 I opted for the Meridian Explorer because I wanted my headphone/notebook setup to be truly
portable for easy movement/travel. I like it, but is it as good as some dedicated headphone amps setups? No, but more than good enough and better to my ears than previous Dragonfly, and the Dragonfly was pretty darn good itself.
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