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JeremyP
45
Aug 23, 2018
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anort3
177
Aug 23, 2018
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JeremyPThe D30 / X7S combo is amazing. For the first time I like my HD650s as much as my HD600s. I picked up balanced cables for both ( $55 for a factory Sennheiser cable reterminated in a 4pin Neutrik ) from Corpsecables on ebay.
To my ears the D30 / X7S is a sound quality upgrade for all my headphones. I also have an Asus Xonar Essence STX and a Mayflower O2/ODAC Rev. B.
To my ears the D30 / X7S is a sound quality upgrade for all my headphones. I also have an Asus Xonar Essence STX and a Mayflower O2/ODAC Rev. B.
JeremyP
45
Aug 24, 2018
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anort3Thanks for the reply. I know this is somewhat trivial, but how well do the two stack, or do you run them side by side?
Seems like the D30 should be at the bottom of the stack, due to the curved top of the X7s and the heat it produces, but the specs seem to indicate the D30 has the slightly smaller footprint.
Seems like the D30 should be at the bottom of the stack, due to the curved top of the X7s and the heat it produces, but the specs seem to indicate the D30 has the slightly smaller footprint.
anort3
177
Aug 24, 2018
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JeremyPTopping sells a little shelf for the D30/A30 stack. The X7s just fits on top.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NCZQ0ZZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NCZQ0ZZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
JeremyP
45
Aug 25, 2018
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anort3One more question for you, anort3... would you say there is a real considerable difference between driving the X7s off your ASUS STX vs driving via the D30?
I am thinking about just starting with the amp alone since I am actually fairly happy with the DAC on-board my ASUS Z170-A.
I am thinking about just starting with the amp alone since I am actually fairly happy with the DAC on-board my ASUS Z170-A.
anort3
177
Aug 25, 2018
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JeremyPI actually used the DAC in my STX with the X7S for about a month before I got the D30. It sounded fine to me. The STX is a great card and I still use it for gaming ( HD598s ) and sometimes with my HD600s/HD650s. It's got a relatively high output impedance though so it doesn't play nice with my Fostex headphones.
Asus is capable of doing sound very well. We're talking a $230 dedicated sound card vs a $150 motherboard though so I don't know about your Z170-A. But you can certainly try it.
Asus is capable of doing sound very well. We're talking a $230 dedicated sound card vs a $150 motherboard though so I don't know about your Z170-A. But you can certainly try it.
JeremyP
45
Aug 26, 2018
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anort3Yea, it looks like the Xonar is a bit more robust... a "better" DAC chip (ALC892 on the Z170-A vs Burr-Brown PCM 1792A), and a somewhat stronger amp (TI R4580 on the Z170-A and TI TPA6120A2 on the Xonar). Seems hard to find actual output power specs for either of those though. I'm sure they're out there somewhere. Both use the good Nichicon caps. The Z170-A (maybe both) has the isolated PCB layers for left/right output and they both have the extra shielding to prevent EMI issues.
The Z170-A goes up to 24bit/192khz and really does admirably well through its built-in amp on even my HD 6XX, becoming uncomfortably loud well before volume adjustment is exhausted.
Since I don't have any _real_ immediate need for DSD or 32bit audio I decided to go with the X7s for now and see how the Z170-A DAC does at driving it. Now I just need to grab a 3.5mm to dual RCA cable. At least they're cheap.
Thanks again for all your input!
The Z170-A goes up to 24bit/192khz and really does admirably well through its built-in amp on even my HD 6XX, becoming uncomfortably loud well before volume adjustment is exhausted.
Since I don't have any _real_ immediate need for DSD or 32bit audio I decided to go with the X7s for now and see how the Z170-A DAC does at driving it. Now I just need to grab a 3.5mm to dual RCA cable. At least they're cheap.
Thanks again for all your input!
Suren
31
Aug 27, 2018
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JeremyPGoing standalone will always be better then the on-board that's for sure. A separate PCB and power source, a proper shielding eliminates any kind of interference. Same DAC chip might be used in your mobo and a standalone DAC but I am sure they will measure differently. When you upgrade I am sure you will notice the difference, but for now I am sure that your motherboard is capable of driving the X7S somewhat properly. Cheers.
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I'm running HD 6XX & the new HD 58X as well as pc37x (50 ohm) once in a while. I would also like to be able to add a pair of bookshelf speakers and a sub eventually, but that is lower priority at the moment. Decision is between these three options: -Topping stack: D30 + A30 -Aune X1s (10th anniversary edition) -D30 + Aune X7s (roughly $100 more than the other two options) With the X7s, I know it is a serious piece of gear, but I'm a bit unsure about going class A and having to fiddle around for the on/off toggle all the time to keep it from heating up my office more than my personal PC and work laptop already do. Also, I don't have any balanced cables yet and not sure I'd see much benefit on the SE out of the X7s vs the X1s 10th anni. That is easily rectified though of course, down the road, with a bit more of the green stuff to buy (or time to build) a balanced cable.